Boston University Terriers 2010 NCAA Mens Basketball Preview

By Joel Welser

<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 />Boston University Terriers

America East Conference

2009-10: 21-14, 11-5

2009-10 postseason: CBI

Coach: Patrick Chambers (21-14 at Boston University, 21-14 overall)

Boston University only returns three letterwinners, but all three of them were starters a year ago and ready to become the leaders of this team. The Terriers are a wildcard in the America East Conference, but Coach Patrick Chambers has a nice group of incoming freshmen and three transfers who sat out last season and are ready to make an impact in 2010-2011.

Key Losses: G Corey Lowe, G Tyler Morris, F Valdas Sirutis, G Carlos Strong

Key Newcomers:

Not counting the transfers, there are seven newcomers on this team. Coach Chambers only went seven deep for the most part last season, so it is not imperative that most of the freshmen play right away, but there are certainly some holes that need to be filled. Point guard Henry Gaskins may be asked to do the most due to his position, but his former prep teammates, 6-5 wing Travis Robinson and 6-7 forward Dom Morris were both McDonald’s All-America nominees and bring more size and athleticism to the team. There are even more options on the perimeter with 6-0 guards Mike Terry and D.J. Irving and 6-7 swingman Malik Thomas. The lone true post player is 7-1 center Mat Piotrowski. He has a ton of potential and already has a 265 pound frame that can bang around with just about anybody in the conference.

Backcourt:

John Holland was never the most efficient or effective outside shooter on BU, but the 6-5 wing was the most dangerous scorer a year ago. His ability to hit the outside shot makes him a very dynamic scorer and nearly impossible to defend. If the defense comes out to defend him at the arc, he will use his size and speed to attack the basket. Holland got to the charity stripe 6.1 times per game last year and hit over 85 percent of his attempts once he got there. On top of his 19.2 points per game, Holland also averaged 6.1 rebounds and 1.6 steals. Holland will do everything and he will be the player who holds this team together while all the new faces adjust to their roles.

Frontcourt:

The frontcourt is in good hands with the return of Jake O’Brien and Jeff Pelage. At 6-8 and 220 pounds, O’Brien is a very effective forward on both ends of the floor. Offensively he can stretch out the defense with his three-point shooting ability, but is equally comfortable in the paint. He also led the team in rebounds and blocked shots a year ago and should do the same again this time around. Pelage is not going to be a big time scorer like Holland and O’Brien, but the 6-8, 240 pound center will do the dirty work under the basket. Pelage is a good rebounder and defender and if he starts to develop an offensive game, he will be a very effective player.

Who to Watch:

Boston U would not come close to competing for an America East title this year if it was not for Darryl Partin from La Salle, Matt Griffin from Rider and Patrick Hazel from Marquette. All three of those players were practicing with the team last season and at least have some time in the program, not to mention a couple years playing division I basketball elsewhere. Partin is a tall wing who never saw too much playing time at La Salle, but he can shoot and use his size to attack the basket. Griffin was never much of a scorer at Rider, but he was a decent ballhandler and should be able to step into that role for the Terriers. Patrick Hazel, a 6-6 forward, never made much of a splash with the Golden Eagles, but he can play the power forward spot and has plenty of potential once he starts seeing some real minutes. He may not start over the returning frontcourt players, but Hazel will have to help provide depth.

Final Projection:

With ten newcomers on the roster, Boston U will be hard to figure out until they get on the floor and play. However, there is more than enough talent here for the Terriers to make another postseason tournament and the transfers should be the newcomers making the biggest impact and they have all been on campus for a year. If everything comes together as it should, this is a team that will be scary in March for every other team in the America East Conference.

Projected Post-season Tournament: CBI/CIT

Projected Starting Five:

Matt Griffin, Junior, Guard, DNP last season

John Holland, Senior, Guard, 19.2 ppg

Darryl Partin, Junior, Guard, DNP last season

Jake O’Brien, Junior, Forward, 13.8 ppg

Jeff Pelage, Junior, Center, 3.1 ppg