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Terriers Set for No. 21 Yellow Jackets in Puerto Rico Tip-Off Sunday Finale
Nov. 21, 2009 Listen | Game Notes | BU/Indiana (Fri.) Recap SAN JUAN, P.R. - After knocking off their first Big Ten opponent in five seasons on Friday, the Boston University men's basketball team sets its sights on defeating an Atlantic Coast Conference school, as it meets No. 21 Georgia Tech in a battle for the consolation title of the O'Reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Tip-Off with action set to begin at 12:30 p.m. ET on Sunday. ESPNU will broadcast the first meeting between the Terriers (1-3) and Yellow Jackets (2-1) since 1975. On Friday against Indiana for head coach Patrick Chambers' first career victory, the Terriers overcame a poor shooting performance from the field (29.3 percent) by being aggressive on the boards and driving to the basket. BU out-rebounded the Hoosiers, 52-32, and tallied 19 second-chance points against three. The 52 rebounds are the most the Terriers have recorded since they posted 50 against Albany on Feb. 5, 2003. The team also went to the free throw line 40 times, the most since BU attempted 50 against Northeastern on Jan. 20, 2002. Leading the way on both ends of the court through four games is John Holland, who is averaging a team-leading 20.8 ppg and 6.8 rpg, while Carlos Strong has a team-high 7.5 rpg and 8.8 ppg. Tyler Morris has tallied over 20 points in two games and had 13 against Indiana, while Corey Lowe (12.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg) continues to look for his shot after starting the season at 28.6 percent from the field. With Scott Brittain still unable to play, the big men finally made their presence felt against the Hoosiers. Jake O'Brien posted his first career double-double with 14 points and 13 boards, while Jeff Pelage had nine rebounds in only 18 minutes of action off the bench. Valdas Sirutis also contributed 12 valuable minutes with four points and a rebound despite getting into foul trouble.
They will have their hands full though against a Georgia Tech team that likes to pound the ball inside to score. A John Wooden National Player of the Year preseason watch list honoree, 6-9 junior forward Gani Lawal posted 18 points and 14 rebounds in just 26 minutes against George Mason during a 70-62 victory on Friday and is currently averaging a double-double through three games. A possible NBA lottery pick after the season, the 6-10 freshman Derrick Favors has 12.7 ppg and 7.0 rpg. Georgia Tech started the season with a 100-59 victory over Florida A&M and then fought with No. 18 Dayton in the first round of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off, eventually falling 63-59 before knocking off George Mason. Sophomore 6-5 guard Iman Shumpert is another valuable contributor, averaging double-figures in scoring at 13.0 ppg. Following their first game against a ranked opponent since dropping a tough 74-67 decision at then-No. 12 Notre last December, the Terriers will return to Boston on Monday and then continue their difficult non-conference schedule with Northeastern at home on Wednesday at 4 p.m. 3RD ANNUAL O'REILLY AUTO PARTS PUERTO RICO TIP-OFF Sunday, Nov. 22 Schedule Thursday, Nov. 19 Results Friday, Nov. 20 Results |
