Tonight’s Terrier Tip-off Launches 100th Season
Men’s, women’s basketball teams gear up for official November 14 start
After falling short to the University of Hartford in the America East semifinal last season, the men’s basketball team is gearing up for its season opener on November 14. The game, against George Washington University at Agganis Arena, will mark a milestone: the 100th season of Terrier men’s basketball.
The women’s basketball season will also begin on November 14, at the University of Rhode Island.
To celebrate the start of the BU basketball season, both teams will showcase their talents in shooting and dunk contests at the annual Terrier Tip-off (formerly called Midnight Madness), tonight, October 24, at 8 p.m. at The Roof at Case Gymnasium.
Men’s head coach Dennis Wolff says that this year the Terriers will work hard to be a good defensive team, and they hope to continue with an aggressive style of offensive play.
“We have the entire roster back,” says Wolff, who is in his 15th season as head coach. “We’re stronger physically, and we gained a lot of experience over the last two years. We have to have significantly less turnovers and be a better perimeter shooting team.”
The Terriers have two additions this season: Jake O’Brien (CGS’10) of Weymouth, Mass., and Jeff Pelage (CGS’10) of Pompano Beach, Fla.
During the men’s opener, BU will unveil a commemorative 100th season logo for the team, and each player will wear a special patch on his uniform. At halftime, the Terriers will honor members of the 1958-1959 team, marking the 50th anniversary of the team’s appearance in the Elite Eight in the NCAA Men’s Division I Tournament. Led by head coach Matthew Zunic, it was the first BU basketball team to reach the postseason. The Terriers were knocked out by West Virginia University, and a short video, with footage from the West Virginia game, will be shown.
Meanwhile, the women’s team, says coach Kelly Greenberg, hopes to draw on its strong performance last year.
“We feel like we had a great season last year,” Greenberg says. “Everyone worked hard and was unselfish. We clicked on all cylinders. We’ll change some things up of course, but our goal is to really build on that momentum.”
Christine Kinneary (CAS’09) is also looking to make this an unforgettable year for the team. “It is my last shot to win the America East Championship and get an NCAA bid,” she says. “So that has definitely motivated me and the other seniors to work extra hard over the summer and this preseason.”
The women’s team will have help this year from three freshmen: Caroline Stewart (CGS’10) of Topsfield, Mass., Kasie Carbacio (CGS’10) of Bridgeport, W.V., and Alex Young (COM’12) of Hickory, N.C.
Terrier Tip-off takes place tonight, October 24, at 8 p.m. at The Roof at Case Gymnasium. The event, which will also feature performances by the BU Band, Dance Team, Cheering Squad, and the Drum Line, is free and open to BU students, staff, faculty, and alumni. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
Davide Nardi can be reached at dnardi@bu.edu.
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