Final Showdown: Men’s Basketball Faces Maine to Wrap Up Non-Conference Action this Sunday

Boston University (5-7) versus Maine (8-6)

Date & Time: Sunday, Dec. 29 | 2 p.m.
Venue: The Pit in Memorial Gymnasium | Orono, Maine
Twitter: @BUGameDay | @TerrierMBB

BOSTON – Wrapping up the non-conference slate, the Boston University men’s basketball squad will travel to Maine on Sunday for a tip-off set at 2 p.m.

The Terriers and Black Bears are clashing for the 104th occasion in a rivalry that commenced in 1902-03 with BU undertaking its first road journey in seven years. In total, BU holds a 2-1 record against America East rivals after victories over UAlbany and UMBC, alongside a setback at UMass Lowell. Maine will contend with its third Patriot League adversary following an 80-55 home triumph over Holy Cross and a 71-66 win versus Navy in a tournament conducted by Penn.

TERRIER TIDBITS

• In the first 12 games, BU has already deployed five varying starting lineups due to injuries, compared to five total lineups utilized last year.
• BU stands at 0-2 on this current road trip, suffering a 64-61 loss at Merrimack and an 83-71 defeat against UMass Lowell. The Terriers have an overall record of 2-4 in away contests, buoyed by two wins at the UMBC multi-team event against the host Retrievers and the defending MEAC champion Howard.
• Sophomore Kyrone Alexander (13.3 ppg) and graduate student Miles Brewster (10.6 ppg) are the sole two Terriers averaging double-figure points. Together, they have contributed to 4.3 apg and 2.8 spg.
• Three different Terriers have recorded a season-high of seven assists in a game this season, with junior Otto Landrum being the last to achieve this at Merrimack.
• Senior Malcolm Chimezie (8.8 ppg) has registered double-digit scoring in consecutive games for the first time in his career, accumulating 26 points across the last two outings.
• Chimezie is shooting at 61.8 FG%, whereas freshman Ben Defty (5.1 ppg) boasts a shooting percentage of 65.9 FG%.
• The Terriers have faced challenges at the free throw line, achieving 64.3 FG% while opponents are hitting at 77.2 FG%. However, opponents are averaging just 0.7 additional made free throws per game (11.8-11.1).
• As a collective, BU averages 70.2 ppg and 44.8 FG%, while restricting opponents to averages of 69.8 FG% and 44.1 FG%. 

SCOUTING MAINE

• The Black Bears are currently on a seven-game home winning streak, securing victories this year against Holy Cross, University of Maine at Fort Kent (98-47) and University of Maine at Augusta (103-51).
• Aside from the two triumphs against PL teams, Maine boasts significant non-conference victories against Brown (69-67), Canisius (84-79) and Duquesne (61-56).
• Maine’s defense records an average of 9.2 steals per game, aiding an offense that gets 17.2 points from turnovers, while opponents average merely 12.1 ppg from the Black Bears’ errors.
• Guard AJ Lopez, a former UNH transfer, is one of three Black Bears averaging double digits at 13.9 ppg, with LIU transfer and guard Quion Burns ranking second at 12.7 ppg along with a team-high 6.4 rpg.
• Montana State transfer and guard Kellen Tynes (12.3 ppg) leads Maine in assists (4.9 apg) and steals (3.1 spg).
• The Black Bears are scoring an average of 73.3 ppg and have a shooting percentage of 46.6 FG% while holding their opponents to 67.1 ppg and 42.2 FG%. 

SERIES HISTORY

• BU maintains a 61-42 lead in the series following Maine’s victory of 74-65 at Case Gym in 2023.
• In that matchup, the Black Bears shot 51.0 FG% while limiting BU to 46.2 FG%. The Terriers impeded their own performance by converting 10-for-19 (.526) at the free throw line.
• BU emerged victorious in the last encounter at Maine in 2017, securing a 78-69 win.

LOOKING AHEAD

• BU is set to begin 2025 and its Patriot League campaign at Lafayette on Thursday (Jan. 2) at 7 p.m.
• The Terriers have won 7 out of their last 10 contests after both traveling squads triumphed last season, resulting in a split.