The Boston University men’s basketball team will travel to Raleigh, North Carolina on Saturday for a challenging matchup against North Carolina State University. Following a heartbreaking 51-49 loss to the University of Connecticut, the Terriers (4-3) will look to earn their first road win of the season.
BU as a team is built much different than the North Carolina State (5-2) squad they are going against on Saturday. Senior guard Eric Fanning is the only Terrier who averages more than 10 points per game, but the Wolfpack possess a far more balanced offensive attack compared to that of the Terriers.
North Carolina State has four scorers who average more than 14 points per game, but they struggle mightily on the defensive end. The Wolfpack rank dead last in the Atlantic Coast Conference in defense, allowing 78.9 points per game.
BU head coach Joe Jones acknowledged the Wolfpack’s offensive prowess and the challenge that it may pose for his team.
“They have a tremendous backcourt,” Jones said. “Their freshman point guard might be a lottery pick or the first pick in the draft. Abdul-Malik Abu is also a very good player. They’re just a very talented team.”
Freshman point guard Dennis Smith Jr. has exceeded all expectations this season. His 18.7 points per game lead all freshmen in the ACC. That is a significant achievement, as the ACC is arguably the best basketball conference in the nation. Granted, fellow freshmen like Duke University’s Marques Bolden, Harry Giles and Jayson Tatum have yet to play this season due to injury. Nonetheless, Smith Jr. is a quick guard who can get to the rim, the likes of which BU has struggled to defend thus far.
On the other side of the ball, Fanning, who scored 21 points and tallied nine rebounds against UConn (3-4), could be in line for a big game. Fanning seems to be a massive piece of the puzzle for the Terriers on both ends of the floor, according to Jones. Not only is Fanning an essential part of the offense, but now in his senior year, he has become a very important piece of the Terrier’s defensive strategy.
“Eric is a big piece of what we are trying to do,” Jones said. “He’s had to take more of a leadership role and make sure he sets a good example for all the guys on the team with his play. He’s entered a nice start to the season. We’re looking forward to him being a more consistent defender and just being focused every day.”
It is also worth noting that junior forward Nick Havener returned last game from an injury, and will be playing against the Wolfpack. The Sarasota, Florida native has been an integral part of the Terriers’ foundation on defense, making his biggest impact on the boards. As Havener continues to build up strength, he should see increased action on the court, starting with Saturday’s game against the Wolfpack.
The Terriers have been flawless at home this season, posting a 4-0 record to date. However, the games they play away from Case Gym have been a different story. BU has lost all three road games they’ve played this year, but will attempt to change its luck on Saturday. Although the Terriers’ losses have come at the hands of formidable opponents, Jones refuses to make excuses for his team’s lackluster start on the road.
“We have a lot of experienced guys,” said Jones. “They’ve played a ton of games on the road, so I can’t just say that that’s the reason that we haven’t played as well. Hopefully we’ll be ready to go Saturday.”
