If the Boston University men’s basketball exhibition game on Nov. 8 is any indication of the lineup head coach Dennis Wolff will use this season, a lot of guards will get a lot of playing time.
Wolff went with a three-guard lineup for the majority of the contest against the One on One Basketball All-Stars, rotating starters Kevin Fitzgerald, Chaz Carr and Matt Turner with reserves Shaun Wynn and Pat Martin. But Wolff said he has not finalized his lineup for the remainder of the year, as there are plenty of plausible combinations.
‘I haven’t settled on what I am doing this season,’ Wolff said. ‘A thought is to go with three guards. [Another] thought is to go with three guards but go bigger with Wynn or [6-foot-7-inch freshman Etienne] Brower, or you could play Fitzgerald at that third position and let Martin handle the ball. We have some options. The way we play the three guards, other than the point guard, the two [guard] and the three [guard] do almost identical things.’
No matter what the production of any lineup, Wolff said in order to even have the opportunity to step onto the court, players have to prove themselves on the defensive side of the ball.
‘I think each guard has a different role,’ Wolff said. ‘All of them have the number one role to work as hard as they can defensively in whatever defense we are in. If they don’t do that; they will not play. After that, they each have strengths and weaknesses.’
There is no dispute, however, that BU has a plethora of talent in the backcourt this season. The Terriers return four guards from last season, as Paul Seymour graduated with forwards Billy Collins and Jacob Kudlacz. Though playing with three guards this year will force a smaller lineup at times, Wolff said there will be multiple aspects to BU’s style of play.
‘We have guys that are capable of big nights, but to get on the court consistently you are going to have to play consistently,’ Wolff said. ‘I’m not going to ride it out, and I am not going to have a lot of patience for guys who aren’t doing the little things defensively rebounding and hustle plays. So the guys, top to bottom, have to do all the little things then they will get time on the court, and I think we have some guys that can score.
The BU backcourt is comprised of players spanning every grade level: Turner and Fitzgerald are seniors, Carr is a junior, Wynn is a sophomore and Martin is a freshman. Each gives BU different strengths and weaknesses.
The three eldest are projected to start against the College of the Holy Cross in the season-opener Saturday, but Wynn and Martin played solid minutes in BU’s game against One on One in roles that could mirror the first part of the season.
Martin might be the key to this year’s club, as the freshman showed poise and requisite ball handling skills in the exhibition game, coming off the bench. He played 28 minutes, scoring eight points with three turnovers and three steals.
‘My take on Pat Martin is that Pat is as mature a freshman as we have had here in the 10 years I have been here,’ Wolff said. ‘He knows how to play, and he doesn’t look flustered. He comes from a very good basketball background.’
Fitzgerald will take on much of the leadership role he displayed last year, according to Wolff, while he continues to be a stifling defender.
‘From a leadership standpoint, Fitzgerald has been a leader, and I think he remains that,’ Wolff said. ‘[He] is a steadying influence who works hard on the defensive end.’
Turner and Carr could create points in the backcourt, provided they take and make enough shots. Both averaged around seven or eight points per game last year, but each has the potential to have big nights offensively.
‘Turner should be a guy looking for as many open outside shots as he can get,’ Wolff said. ‘Carr can look for the outside shots, but at the same time, look to create in the lane a little more.’
Wynn adds energy off the bench with the muscle needed for a shooting guard or swingman.
The Terriers open the season Saturday afternoon at Holy Cross. Their first home game is Tuesday when the Terriers welcome the No. 13 team in the nation, Saint Joseph’s University to Case Gymnasium.
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