Jeff Pelage signs his letter of intent for Boston University. Miami HeraldIf there were any doubts as to what one of the major weaknesses of the Boston University men’s basketball team was last season, head coach Dennis Wolff’s newest class of recruits should help clear things up.
Wolff announced Tuesday the Terriers signed two big men — 6-foot-8 forward Jake O’Brien and 6-foot-8 center Jeff Pelage — and that the team is still deciding what to do with its remaining scholarship.
O’Brien, who committed verbally in late October and then signed his letter of intent early in the signing period, is a local product out of Boston College High School. In his senior season, O’Brien averaged 18 points, 10 rebounds per game, captaining the Eagles to a 21-4 record and an appearance in the EMass final at TD Banknorth Garden. In his junior season, O’Brien and BC High went 25-0 en route to the school’s first-ever state title.
“We hadn’t seen many guys his size with as many skills as he has, particularly shooting the ball facing the basket,” Wolff said. “He can be a step-out four man. He can drag the other team’s bigger guys away from the basket. He’s got long arms and he’s got good instincts.”
The 215-pound four-time Catholic Conference all-star also considered attending the College of William ‘ Mary, James Madison University and Drexel University — all schools in the Colonial Athletic Association.
“I definitely go in hoping to play and play right away, but I think it will come down to how hard I work and where they need me,” O’Brien said. “I think I can bring the ability to step away from the basket and score, as well as go inside and score down there.”
BU’s other recruit, Pelage, a wide-bodied 240-pound post presence, was not someone the Terriers expected to pursue until 6-foot-9 freshman forward Will Creekmore transferred to Missouri State University in mid-December. The Florida native signed his letter of intent April 16.
At Pine Crest High School, one of the elite private institutions in the state, Pelage — also a shot put and discus thrower — averaged 12.7 points and 12.8 rebounds per game this season, helping his team to a Class 3A state title.
“He’s made a lot of improvement over a short period of time. He has good mobility for a guy his size,” Wolff said. “We think he can impact us immediately.”
“You just get that good feeling about a school when you go to visit it,” Pelage said. “That’s the feeling I was looking for and BU gives me that feeling.”
Pelage’s size and strength accentuate a key ingredient the Terriers were lacking last season. His addition should allow players such as sophomore forward Scott Brittain and junior co-captain Matt Wolff to play positions they are better suited for next year.
“I’ve been able to be a good defensive player,” Pelage said of his high school career. “I’ve been able to rebound the ball and kick it out to the guards and really be a solid presence.”
The second-team South Florida Sun-Sentinel All-County selection drew interest from America East rival the University of New Hampshire, the College of Charleston and St. Peter’s College.
Both O’Brien and Pelage will be in Boston throughout the summer to participate in team and individual workouts.
Fond Farewells
Junior forwards Max Gotzler and Ibrahim Konate will not be returning to the Terriers next season, Wolff said Tuesday.
Gotzler, who made the team as a walk-on after transferring from the Oregon Institute of Technology, has enough credits to graduate in two weeks, and told the team he will do so. In one season with the Terriers, Gotzler averaged 2.5 points and 13.5 minutes per game. He started nine contests for the Terriers and scored a career-high 13 points against Binghamton University on Feb. 12 at Case Gymnasium.
Konate has been deemed physically unable to perform after battling shin ailments over the course of two seasons. The 6-foot-8 computer science major appeared in 13 games for the Terriers last season and notched a season-high six points and eight rebounds against the University of Massachusetts-Amherst on Dec. 29. Konate scored a career-high 12 points against George Washington University on Dec. 2, 2005.
“He was never able to do any additional running the entire year, especially after he broke the same bone in his shin twice,” Wolff said.
The Mali native will still attend school at BU next year, be shifted to a medical scholarship and is expected to graduate in December.
“I feel — and have felt all along — bad for him, because almost from the beginning he couldn’t catch a break,” Wolff said. “His athleticism, which was his strength, was negated by the fact that he couldn’t run and jump.”
Injury Update
Last season’s leading scorer, sophomore guard Corey Lowe, had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb three weeks ago and is expected to have his cast removed today, Wolff said.
Lowe was named the BU’s Most Valuable Player at the annual team banquet, averaged 18.1 points and 3.3 assists per game and broke BU’s single-season record for made 3-pointers (92). He is expected to be able to practice again in about a month.
