BU topples Northeastern in OT 69 - 64

Wow, great game (short recap). Very frustrating at times, very exciting at times, very similar to the BU v. Harvard hockey game I went to last night.

Quickly some thoughts:

• Co-players of the game: Corey Lowe and Jake O'Brien
• Most Frustrating part: BU went on an 13 - 0 run to take an 11 point lead to start the first 5:30 of the second half. The rest of the second half they only scored 13 points.
• Most exciting part: John Holland's dunk in the last seconds of the game to seal it.

I have to go back to Connecticut now for Thanksgiving. More thoughts on the game later. In the meantime, I leave you with a few pictures.

Yours Truly

Jake O'Brien sinking a foul shot

UPDATE:


Finally some time to sit down and write about this game.

It was probably one of the more exciting games you will see at Case Gym all year. The Terriers were down by 10 early in the first half but battled back to make it a 2 point deficit going into the locker room.

Pat Chambers must have said something at halftime to light a fire under these guys asses. When they came out they looked stronger than they have all season. In the first 5 minutes they went on a 13 - 0 run to take the lead by 11. I thought after we took the lead we might be in the midst of a blowout. But after a tactical time out by Northeastern, the Terriers cooled down and only scored 13 points the rest of the half.

Overtime was scary. The Terriers came out of the gate with two threes to make it a six point game and they even blow that. But after a few turnovers on both ends, but more turnovers for Northeastern, BU is able to grab the lead with about a minute left and keep it for good. The exclamation point was a sweet dunk by John Holland at the end of the game that could've made Sportscenter.

Overall, it was a great win against a bitter crosstown rival. However, the Terriers looked very streaky at times especially in the second half. They came out of the locker room very strong and then faded. It may work versus Northeastern but against Harvard and Connecticut they are going to have to stay consistent across the whole 40 minutes.


Other things I noticed:

• There was more of a Northeastern following at the game than BU. Perhaps because of Thanksgiving break, but still I didn't like it.
• Northeastern fans are assholes, they were screaming at Corey Lowe as he was limping off the court during overtime.
  
• BU is still fouling a lot. Jake O'Brien had 4 fouls for most of the second half; as a result, he had less playing time and probably less points.
• Tyler Morris fouled out again.
• Did I already mention Corey Lowe and Jake O'Brien were amazing?
• Coach Chambers has a weird way of coming up with set plays. Before that Corey Lowe jumper to tie the game with 18.1 seconds left in regulation, Coach Chambers had all of his players go to the bench while him and his coaches deliberated in the middle of the court for 75% of the timeout. Then he went back to the team and explained what the came up with in the span of 20 seconds. Shouldn't he have plays like this in his pocket before the game, just for these situations? Hey, I'm not complaining, it worked.
  

Next up:
BU v. Harvard
Sunday 11/29/2009 at Case Gym 5 PM Start
Listen to it on 1510 The Zone

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Northeastern v. BU Preview (4 PM The Roof)

Today at 4 PM Eastern the Terriers (1-4) play their first home game at Case Gym, otherwise known as "The Roof." against their crosstown rivals the Huskies of Northeastern (1-1). It's still pretty early in the season to know what kind of game this is going to be. But if BU plays like they did in the Puerto Rico tip-off, I expect them to be favored and win big.

The Puerto Rico tip-off showed us that the Terriers can play up to the level of teams from major conferences (Kansas St - Big 12, Indiana - Big Ten, Georgia Tech - ACC). Three games in four days is very tough on a team, and it showed the Terriers just didn't have enough gas left in the tanks against a very athletic and physical Georgia Tech team.

Areas of excellence:

• Rebounding - In the Indiana game alone they out-rebounded their opponent 52 - 32.
• Aggresiveness - The Terriers are a more aggressive and physical team and it shows on loose balls and the amount of fouls committed during the game.

Areas for improvement:

• Field Goal % - Plain and simple the Terriers need to finish baskets.
• Avoiding Foul Trouble - In a few games (GW and Indiana) we have seen some key Terriers in early foul trouble. The Terriers need to find a way to be aggresive but not foul as much.

If the Terriers can improve their play, as coach Pat Chambers constantly preaches, and get the ball to John Holland (America East's player of the week), BU should hand Northeastern its second loss of the season today at the Roof.

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Georgia Tech 85 - BU 67

Recap and another recap.

Game notes:

That is tough. I recorded the game and watched most of it. BU looked really good in the first half versus Georgia Tech. The Terriers went into the locker room only down by two, 42 - 40. But halfway into the Second half they got tired and fell apart.

John Holland is still the Terriers MVP eventhough he is not starting,

This kid Peacock for Georgia Tech was legit tonight, but I have a feeling he will do nothing the rest of the year. I think Derrick Favors will do well.

Final Note:

The Terriers played with the #19 ranked team in the country for 30 minutes. The last ten minutes they were too tired. Going into the Northeastern game I am satisfied with the BU team.

Next up:

BU v. Northeastern - 4:00 PM Eastern
@ THe Roof
Listen to it on 1510 the zone.

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