OPENING TIP: The Boston University men's basketball team looks for its third straight win and head coach Dennis Wolff looks to earn his 200th victory on campus, as the Terriers (7-11 overall, 4-3 America East) take on the University of Hartford (7-10, 3-4) Wednesday night. Game time is 7 p.m., at Case Gymnasium, and the contest will conclude the first half of play in the America East for BU. Wolff won his 199th game at BU on Sunday as the Terriers came from behind to beat Vermont 43-41 at Agganis Arena on Corey Hassan's jumper with 2.6 seconds remaining. BU also beat Stony Brook 73-65 on Jan. 19 to snap a four-game losing streak. Hartford held off Stony Brook 71-68 to win for just the second time in its last eight games. The Terriers look to get back on track at The Roof, as they have lost two straight games at their main home court (Albany and Binghamton), following an 11-game win streak.

RADIO-TV COVERAGE: The BU-Hartford game will be broadcast on radio on WTTT-1150-AM. Doug Brown and former BU captain Billy Collins will provide the call. The radio broadcast can be accessed on the internet at http://www.bu.edu/athletics/fans/tv-radio-schedule.html. The game will also be broadcast on the BU student station, WTBU, 89.3 FM, with Seth Needle and Brian Mauer providing the call. The WTBU radio broadcast can also be heard online at www.wtburadio.org.

COUNTDOWN TO 200: Dennis Wolff will make his first attempt at win no. 200 Wednesday night. He is 199-144 in 12 seasons on the Terrier bench and is already the school's all-time leader in victories. Wolff won his first game at BU in his debut, an 80-78 victory over Rider on Nov. 25, 1994. It took Wolff 80 games to reach the 50-win mark, 108 games to go from 50 to 100, and 83 games to go from 100 to 150. BU is 49-23 since Wolff won his 150th game and a victory over the Hawks would give him the quickest 50 wins in his career.

HASSAN NAMED AMERICA EAST CO-ROOKIE OF THE WEEK: Freshman guard Corey Hassan was named co Rookie of the Week by the America East for the third time this season. He shared the honor with Vermont's Mike Trimboli. Hassan averaged 13.5 ppg in two BU wins last week and hit the game-winning jumper with 2.6 seconds remaining in a 43-41 victory over Vermont on Sunday.

ABOUT HARTFORD: Hartford began the season 4-2, but has slumped recently and lost six of its last eight. The Hawks lead the league in scoring offense at 67.5 ppg, however they are eighth in the America East, allowing 68.9 ppg. UH is led by the conference's leading scorer and rebounder, Kenny Adeleke, who is averaging 20.7 ppg and 12.1 rpg. The numbers are even better in conference play, as Adeleke is averaging 21.6 ppg and 12.7 rpg against America East foes. Guard Aaron Cook is scoring at a 15.0 ppg clip, good for sixth in the league, and guard Chris Cole leads the team with 51 assists on the season. Hartford is shooting 42.5% from the field and 30.5% from 3-point land, while opponents are shooting 43.8% from the field and 36.7% from downtown.

THE COACHES: The Terriers are led by 12th year head coach Dennis Wolff (Connecticut `78). Wolff is 199-144 (.580) in his career at BU, 229-162 (.586) in 14 years overall, including a 30-18 record in two seasons at Connecticut College. Wolff is the all-time leader in victories at BU, having surpassed Mike Jarvis (101) on Jan. 22, 2001. Wolff is a three-time America East Coach of the Year (1997, 2003, 2004) and has twice been named both NABC District I and New England Coach of the Year (1997, 2004).
    Under Wolff, BU has dominated in America East play, sporting a stout 128-70 (.646) mark, including 73-27 (.730) in home league contests. Wolff has led the Terriers to at least a share of four America East regular-season titles (1997, 2002, 2003, and 2004) and two America East Tournament championships (1997, 2002). BU has advanced to a pair of NCAA Tournaments under Wolff and has won 20 or more games on five occasions during his tenure.
   Wolff's assistants are Orlando Vandross (America International `92), Mike Winiecki (Richmond `89) and Mike Costello (BU `00).
   Hartford is coached by Larry Harrison (Pittsburgh `78), who is 61-102 in six seasons overall and with the Hawks. He served as an assistant coach under Pat Kennedy (DePaul) from 1997-2000 and under Bob Huggins (Cincinnati) from 1989-97.  

BU-HARTFORD HISTORY: The Terriers lead the all-time series 32-15 in a rivalry that dates back to the 1967-68 season. BU swept the Hawks in a pair of games last year, winning 65-46 on Feb. 5 in Hartford and 73-22 on Jan. 6 in Boston. The 22 points were the fewest scored by a Division I program since the inception of the shot clock and it was the fewest points given up by BU since the 1940-41 campaign. BU has beaten Hartford seven straight times and 11 of the last 12 meetings dating back to 2000.  Hartford's last win against BU came at the Roof on Jan. 29, 2002, by a count of 44-42.

TOUGH SKED FOR TERRIERS: BU played one of the most difficult schedules in the nation in the first part of the year, and as of Dec. 9, USA Today's Sagarin rating had the Terriers' docket as the sixth-toughest in the country. Four of BU's first five opponents (Duke, Michigan, Rhode Island and George Washington) had combined for a 54-11 record as of Jan. 20. Additionally, the Terriers faced Bucknell in the Cable Car Classic, and the Bison are 14-3.

LEADING THE LEAGUE IN D: While the win-loss record might not be where the Terriers are used to, the team's defensive effort has lived up to its recent history. BU leads the America East in scoring defense (58.6 ppg) and is second in field-goal percentage defense (41.8%), The Terriers led the league in both categories last year (55.7 ppg, 37.1% FG% defense) and they led the nation with their field-goal percentage defense. BU has led the America East in scoring defense in each of the last four seasons (55.7 in 2004-05; 59.5 in 2003-04; 63.2 in 2002-03; and 64.0 in 2001-02) and the Terriers have led the America East in field-goal percentage defense in three of the last four years (37.1% in 2004-05; 40.4% in 2002-03; and 39.0% in 2001-02). BU has held nine opponents below 60 points this year, including Vermont, which scored just 41 points last Sunday.

BU vs. AMERICA EAST: BU is in its 27th season of competition in the America East Conference. The Terriers were a charter member of the league formed in 1979-80 and known formerly as the ECAC North, the North Atlantic Conference and the America East, which has been the league's surname since the 1996-97 season. Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire are the only other schools to have remained in the league since its birth. BU has won or shared the league title on eight occasions: 1980, 1983, 1990, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003 and 2004. The Terriers have represented the America East in the NCAA Tournament five times: 1983, 1988, 1990, 1997 and 2002.
   BU is 243-126 (.659) all-time against current league members. Coming into 2005-06, the Terriers had a 237-140 (.630) record in their 27 years of membership in the league, easily the best among the current teams. Vermont is second at 185-192 (.490).
   Dennis Wolff is 99-36 (.733) all-time against current America East foes. A look at BU's all-time record against current members of the America East. Wolff's record followed in parentheses.

Albany                         8-1 (8-1)
Binghamton                7-2 (7-2)
Hartford                 32-15 (18-6)
Maine                    48-37 (20-8)
UMBC                           7-2 (5-2)
New Hampshire      84-34 (22-2)
Stony Brook                 8-2 (8-2)
Vermont                   49-33 (11-13)  

VERMONT RECAP: Corey Hassan hit a leaner with 2.6 seconds remaining to propel BU to a thrilling 43-41 victory over Vermont Sunday afternoon at Agganis Arena. BU was able to survive despite shooting just 25.4% from the field, as the Terriers grabbed a remarkable 25 offensive rebounds. Hassan and Kevin Gardner led the Terriers with 11 points apiece.
   Trailing 41-37, BU scored the final six points of the game. Shaun Wynn hit a 3-pointer from the side to cut the deficit to one, 41-40 with 2:23 remaining. Vermont's Kyle Cieplicki missed a shot on the Catamounts' next possession, and Hassan hit a free throw to knot the game at 41 with 1:02 left. He missed his second attempt, but Wynn grabbed the rebound to give the Terriers new life. Hassan missed a three, but Ben Coblyn grabbed the board, setting up the final play. Hassan took a feed from Brian Macon, took one dribble inside the arc and drilled shot from 16 feet.
   After a Trimboli 3-pointer with 14:19 remaining in the game gave the Catamounts a 39-31 lead, UVM would not score another basket. Vermont managed just four shots and the Terriers grabbed 13 offensive boards the rest of the way, as the Terriers ended the game with a 12-2 run. Vermont was just 4-9 from the field in the final 20 minutes, as the Terriers took 28 more shots (59-31) and outrebounded UVM 41-25. The 41 points were Vermont's lowest total since 1980.
   BU began its comeback on a hoop by Gardner, which cut the deficit to 39-33 with 11:20 remaining. Gardner, who missed last Thursday's game against Stony Brook with an injured hamstring, returned to the starting lineup and played 30 minutes, while grabbing nine rebounds (five offensive). Bryan Geffen hit a pair of free throws to cut the margin to 39-35, and Omari Peterkin's bucket in the paint drew the Terriers to within two with 7:37 left. Trimboli hit a pair of free throws with 5:22 left for UVM's final points. Hassan's game-winning shot would give BU its first lead since the 17:11 mark of the first half. 

VERMONT NOTABLE:

- The last time BU scored fewer than 43 points and still won the game: During the 1941-42 season, a 36-34 victory over Massachusetts (no date given). That was 64 years ago.

- BU improved to 2-0 at Agganis Arena against Vermont. The Terriers downed the Catamounts 61-55 in the building's first game on Jan. 5, 2005. BU is 0-3 at Agganis against all other foes.

- The Terriers dominated on the glass, outrebounding Vermont 41-25. The last time BU had a larger edge on the boards was Feb. 5, 2003, when it outrebounded Albany 50-20.

- BU shot 25.4% from the field, its lowest shooting percentage of the season. The last time BU had a tougher time shooting was on Mar. 17, 2005, when it hit 23.6% in an NIT loss at Georgetown (64-34).

- Freshman guard Corey Hassan had his third straight outing scoring in double figures, as he tied for team-high honors with 11 points. Hassan is averaging 12.3 ppg in that span (1/15-22), compared to just 6.0 ppg in the three game previous (1/2-12).

- Hassan has now hit a three in all 18 games this season, the best stretch since Chaz Carr hit a three in 20 straight last year.

- BU held Vermont to its lowest point total in 25 years, since it lost to St. Peter's, 72-36, on Dec. 5, 1980.

- Omari Peterkin came off the bench to corral a career-high nine rebounds. Five of Peterkin's caroms were of the offensive variety, and he bettered his previous high of eight, which had been established on three other occasions this season.

- Kevin Gardner returned from a one-game absence due to a hamstring injury and just missed his fourth double-double of the season. Gardner had 11 points and nine boards in 30 minutes; it was his fifth double-figure scoring output in his last six games.

- BU matched its season-high with 10 steals, a total also accomplished in a 51-46 setback to Michigan on Nov. 22. Ben Coblyn had a career-high three thefts - he had a combined total of two in his first 12 games this year.

- Vermont scored just 13 points in the second half - it was the fewest points for an opponent after intermission since Hartford scored nine in a 73-22 BU victory on Jan. 6, 2005.

- Vermont (54.8%) became just the third team to shoot better than 50% against the Terriers this season. BU is now 2-1 in those games, having beaten UC Riverside (50%) and lost to Bucknell (53.5%). It's actually the best a foe has shot against the Terriers since Boston College hit 59.6% of its shots on Nov. 29, 2003, a span of 73 games.

- Shaun Wynn played in the 100th game of his Terrier career - and started for the 73rd time. Wynn joins teammate Gardner (102 games) as BU players to reach the century mark in games played this season.

THE WALKING WOUNDED: BU players have missed a total of 41 games this season due to injuries and suspensions. Senior forward Kevin Gardner sat out in the win over Stony Brook (1/19) with an injured hamstring, but returned the next game. Ibrahim Konate has missed three games so far this season (one due to injury). Freshman forward Ben Coblyn has missed five games this season due to ankle injuries, and sophomore forward Tony Gaffney missed six games in the first semester after being suspended for violating team policy. Additionally, two players are out for the season: sophomore guard Matt Wolff tore ligaments in his knee after playing in just four games; and freshman Tyler Morris tore ligaments in his ankle and developed bone chips during preseason practice. 

GARDNER ON A ROLL:  Senior forward Kevin Gardner is enjoying the best season of his career, and recently had a span of six games which were the best of his career, statistically. From Dec. 22 - Jan. 12, Gardner averaged 16.7 ppg and shot 41-76 (53.9%) from the field. He is leading the team in scoring at 11.9 ppg and he is also tops on BU at 7.1 rpg, good for third in the America East. Coming into 2005-06, Gardner's career numbers were 4.4 ppg and 4.1 rpg. He has already recorded three point-rebound double-doubles this season: 12 points, 11 rebounds against Michigan (11/22), 20 points, 11 rebounds at Canisius (12/22) and 24 points, 11 rebounds at UMBC (1/5). He now has four double-doubles for his career.

SIZZLIN' MACON: BU point guard Brian Macon had an auspicious beginning to his Terrier career. He committed 24 turnovers and had just 17 assists in his first five games - including seven turnovers in the season-opener at Duke. However, as he has adjusted to the BU offense, Macon has become a very steady hand at the point and has 57 assists and just 28 turnovers in his last 13 games. He leads the team with 74 dishes and he is tied for second in the America East with 4.1 apg.

HASSAN HONORS: Hassan has been the most decorated Terrier of the season, earning three America East Rookie of the Week awards and also being named to the all-tournament team at the Cable Car Classic. He earned co-Rookie of the Week honors on Jan. 23 after averaging 13.5 ppg in two BU wins and hitting the game-winning shot against Vermont. He earned America East co-Rookie of the Week honors on Jan. 2 after scoring 16.5 ppg and shooting 50% in two games at the Cable Car Classic (12/28-29). He was also named co-Rookie of the Week on Dec. 12 for scoring 17.0 ppg in three straight BU wins over Harvard, New Hampshire and Maine.

HASSAN THE ASSASSIN: Eighteen games into the season, true freshman Corey Hassan has becoming one of the top three-point shooters in the America East. The Merrimack, N.H., product leads the team with 45 three-pointers and leads the America East with 2.5 treys per game. He has hit at least one in every game as well. Hassan has a chance to be one of the great freshman three-point shooters in school history. Paul Seymour made 70 threes as a rookie in 1999-2000, while Chaz Carr hit 45 during his freshman year of 2001-02. Hassan has already tied Carr for second place on that list, and is on pace to can 71 treys on the year. Hassan is second on the team in scoring with 11.3 ppg as well. The last freshman to lead BU in scoring was Tunji Awojobi, who averaged 18.9 ppg in 1993-94.

BU TOP-10 FRESHMAN THREE-POINTERS MADE

No.  Name                          Total      Year

1.     Paul Seymour              70          1999-2000
2.     COREY HASSAN           45          2005-06
        Chaz Carr                      45          2001-02
4.     Tremain Byrd               38          1993-94
        Jason Grochowalski     38          2000-01
6.     LeVar Folk                   35          1995-96
7.     Raja Bell                      33          1994-95
8.     Mike Costello               32          1996-97
9.     Mark Daly                     22          1988-89
10.  Brian Holden               21          1990-91 

GARDNER HARVESTING THE BOARDS: If there is a missed shot in a game, there is a good chance Terrier senior forward Kevin Gardner will be the one to grab the rebound. Gardner leads the team and is second in the America East with 7.1 rpg, and is on a pace to destroy his career-high on the boards. He passed the 400-rebound mark for his career against UNH (12/8) and now has 472. Gardner came in to 2005-06 with a 4.1 rpg average in his three years, with his best season of 5.7 rpg coming last year. He has already recorded games of 11 boards (Michigan 11/22, Canisius 12/22, UMBC 1/5) and a career-high-tying 12 rebounds (URI 11/29) this season. In 85 previous games, Gardner had just three performances of 10 or more rebounds (@BC in 2003; Binghamton and Northeastern in 2005). Tunji Awojobi was the last Terrier to average double figures in rebounding in a single season, grabbing 10.2 caroms per game in 1996-97.