Puerto Rico Tipoff: BU Keys to the Game vs. Kansas St..

by Seth Orensky


1.) Improved Frontcourt Production: The Terriers are a guard-oriented team, but if they are going to beat Kansas State or any team in Puerto Rico this weekend, they have to get more production from the frontcourt. Jake O’Brien (’12) has struggled to be a part of the offense so far averaging 6 points per game and hitting only 1 three for the Terriers. While O’Brien (’12) was a much bigger factor for the Terriers on Tuesday, he will need to continue to improve offensively and play solid defense without fouling because of a lack of depth for the Terriers. Jeff Pelage (’12) and Valdas Sirutis (’10) are the only other two Terriers healthy who are 6-7 or taller for Head Coach Paatrick Chambers. Sirutis (’10) has it least been able to provide good minutes for the Terriers, but has not been a threat on offense and only had one rebound against a much larger GW team. Jeff Pelage on the other side is only averaging seven minutes per game and has not made an impact on either side of the ball because of foul trouble. With senior forward Scott Brittain (’10) not making the trip due to continuing concussion symptoms, these three big men are all the Terriers have against a much larger Kansas State squad.

2.) Improved Field Goal Production: The Terriers have failed to hit 40% of their shots from the field in any half this season and are hitting just 34% of their attempts. Last year, the Terriers averaged 42.4% from the field and their success really hinged on how well they fared from the field especially from behind the three point line. BU hit just 5-27 (18.5%) from three point land Tuesday night and will need to improve upon that mark significantly. This year, the team has attempted to drive and attack the basket more, taking over 25 free throws in both of their first 2 contests. But with opponents probably dominating the inside this weekend, it will be essential for the Terriers to shoot better to stay competitive.

3.) Keeping the Rebounding Totals Close: Although the Terriers will likely lose the rebounding battles in all of their games this weekend, they need to keep it close to have any chance at winning. BU is just minus three on the boards this year against two larger opponents, which has really surprised Chambers after the team lost their second leading rebounder, Matt Wolff, to graduation. Kansas State so far this season is only winning the rebounding battle by seven rebounds, but with five players 6-7 or taller, they present big matchup problems for the Terriers inside. BU needs to find a way to stop seven-footer Jordan Henriquez-Roberts, who in his first collegiate start last game for the Wildcats, scored ten points to go along with and five rebounds in 27 minutes. If the Terriers can keep Kansas State and other opponents from dominating the boards and getting a lot of second chance points, they have a shot at beating almost any team in the tournament.

4.) Getting Off To A Good Start: BU has found themselves in early deficits in both of their first two contests, which in the end killed the Terriers. Iona jumped out to a 13-point lead early in the first half on Friday and GW had a steady five point lead for much of the first half before extending it to double figures in the second half. The Terriers have been able to get back into both games, but the energy to fight their way back into the game has ultimately proved costly as their opponents have been able to push BU aside in the second half. Getting off to an early lead would be huge for the Terriers, who will have to deal with a significant Kansas State cheering section and a significant size disadvantage. Forcing Kansas State to play a faster paced game by making them come back from a deficit could be the difference between a blowout and a Terriers victory.

5.) Take Denis Clemente Out of The Game: Denis Clemente is not only Kansas State’s best player; he’s one of the best players in the Big 12 and one of the best point guards in the entire nation. Clemente led the Wildcats last year with 15 points per game and 3.5 assists per game. Clemente played and started in 32 games last year for the Wildcats and is the leader of the team’s offense. If BU can manage to frustrate Clemente who will be playing in his native Puerto Rico for the first time ever they will have a chance to disrupt the entire K-State game plan.