On November 6, Boston University and Northeastern will renew their heated rivalry in the men’s college basketball season opener. The game will be played at Matthews Arena in Boston, Massachusetts, and will be televised on NESN Plus.
- What it is: NCAA Men’s College Basketball
- Matchup: Boston University vs. Northeastern
- Time: Monday, November 6, 2023, 8:00pm ET (Local time)
- Locations: Matthews Arena, Boston, MA
- Live Stream TV: NESN Plus
The Terriers, led by 13th-year head coach Joe Jones, are coming off a 15-17 season in which they lost in the Patriot League tournament quarterfinals. BU lost its top six scorers from last season, but has a number of talented newcomers who could make an immediate impact.
The Huskies, led by 18th-year head coach Bill Coen, are coming off a 10-20 season in which they lost in the first round of the Coastal Athletic Association tournament. The Huskies have a slight edge in experience with the return of graduate student forward Chris Doherty and fifth-year senior guard Joe Pridgen.
The all-time series between the two schools is tied 75-75. Last season, Boston University defeated Northeastern 72-63 in the season opener.
Prediction:
The Huskies have a slight edge in experience, but the Terriers have a number of talented newcomers. I predict that the Huskies will win a close game, 70-65.
Analysis:
The Boston University-Northeastern rivalry is one of the oldest and most intense in college basketball. The two schools are located just a few miles apart, and the fans are passionate about their teams.
The Huskies have had the upper hand in the rivalry in recent years, winning six of the last seven meetings. However, the Terriers are coming off a strong offseason and have a number of new players who could help them turn the tide.
The key to the game will be how well the Terriers can defend Doherty and Pridgen. The two Huskies are experienced players who can score from anywhere on the court. If the Terriers can slow them down, they will have a good chance of winning.
The Terriers also need to get production from their newcomers. Ethan Okwuosa and Ben Palacios are both talented guards who could have a big impact on the game. If they can play well, the Terriers will have a good chance of upsetting the Huskies.
Overall, I predict that the Huskies will win a close game. However, the Terriers are a dangerous team, and they should not be overlooked.
