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Boston University (0-1) at San Diego (0-1)
Date & Time: Friday, Nov. 8 | 10 p.m. ET
Venue: Jenny Craig Pavilion | San Diego, Calif.
Twitter: @BUGameDay | @TerrierMBB
BOSTON – The Boston University men’s basketball team is gearing up for a long-awaited journey west, marking their first trip to California in over a decade as they prepare to face the University of San Diego this coming Friday at 10 p.m. ET.
Both teams are seeking redemption following slim defeats in their season openers. The Terriers fell short against Northeastern with a score of 80-72 in a hard-fought game at Case Gym, while the Toreros narrowly lost at home to Rider, 68-67.
TERRIER TIDBITS
- Boston University last ventured to California in 2013 for a multi-team event hosted by UC Irvine, where they secured a 2-1 record, defeating the Anteaters and Long Island while suffering a setback against Eastern Washington.
- Sophomore Michael McNair, in his first career start on Monday, impressed with a personal best of seven assists while contributing 12 points, marking only the second time he has scored in double digits.
- Kyrone Alexander achieved a team-high 16 points, a testament to his scoring ability, while senior Malcolm Chimezie supported with 14 points and led the team with seven rebounds.
- The Terriers look to break a streak as they attempt to capture their first road opener victory since besting Holy Cross during the 2020-21 season.
SCOUTING SAN DIEGO
- The University of San Diego posted an 18-15 record last season, including a 7-9 mark in conference play, with signature wins over Navy and Arizona State.
- Under the leadership of head coach Steve Lavin, now in his third season, they hope to build on their prior successes as Lavin’s resume includes taking UCLA and St. John’s to multiple NCAA tournaments.
- Kjay Bradley Jr. was a standout performer in their narrow loss to Rider, scoring 24 points and dishing out three assists, while Santiago Trouet contributed significantly with 13 rebounds and eight points.
SERIES HISTORY
- This matchup will be the inaugural meeting between BU and USD, emphasizing the fresh competitive spirit of this game.
- The Terriers’ history with the West Coast Conference is minimal; their last encounter dates back to 1990 during a multi-team event where they played against Gonzaga.
- BU has found success against Pepperdine in the past, leading to an undefeated record, but those victories were also part of multi-team events.
LOOKING AHEAD
- Following this matchup, the Terriers will travel to UCLA for a game scheduled on Monday, Nov. 11 at 10 p.m. ET.
- UCLA has a historical edge over BU, winning both previous encounters at home, including a notable victory back in 1988.
**Interview with Boston University Men’s Basketball Coach Joe Jones**
**Interviewer**: Thanks for joining us today, Coach Jones. Your team is preparing to head to California to face San Diego. How does it feel to make this trip after such a long time?
**Coach Jones**: It’s exciting for us, not just the team but the entire program. We haven’t been to California in over a decade, so it’s a unique opportunity to play against a strong opponent. Our players are really looking forward to the challenge.
**Interviewer**: Both teams are coming off tough losses in their season openers. What lessons have you taken from the game against Northeastern to prepare for this match?
**Coach Jones**: The game against Northeastern was a hard-fought battle. We learned a lot about ourselves, especially in the areas of resilience and teamwork. We need to be more consistent on both ends of the court. We’re focusing on our defensive strategies and capitalizing on our scoring opportunities.
**Interviewer**: Sophomore Michael McNair had a standout performance with seven assists and 12 points in his first career start. How important is his development for your squad moving forward?
**Coach Jones**: Michael’s growth is crucial for our success this season. He’s shown that he can handle the pressure and step up when needed. As he continues to develop, he will play a key role in our offense and facilitate scoring opportunities for his teammates.
**Interviewer**: Kyrone Alexander led the team with 16 points last game. How do you plan to leverage his scoring ability against San Diego?
**Coach Jones**: Kyrone is a dynamic player, and we definitely want to utilize his scoring threat. We’ll design plays to get him in favorable positions, and we also want to encourage him to be aggressive on the offensive end. Maintaining team balance is important, so we’ll look for opportunities for others to contribute as well.
**Interviewer**: With this game being a pivotal moment for both teams early in the season, what’s your message to the players as they prepare for Friday’s matchup?
**Coach Jones**: My message is simple: focus on the process, trust each other, and play hard. This is an opportunity for us to bounce back and show what we’re capable of. If we put in the effort and stick to our game plan, I believe we can come away with a win.
**Interviewer**: Thank you for your insights, Coach Jones. Best of luck against San Diego!
**Coach Jones**: Thank you! We’re excited for the game.
For fans eager to follow the action, remember to check the game out on ESPN+ at 10 PM ET.