The Boston University men’s basketball team will host Colgate on Monday night, riding a season-high four-game winning streak. The game is set for 6 p.m. at Case Gym and will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network. The matchup marks the first encounter between the two teams since their last meeting on January 24, where Colgate edged out BU in a thrilling overtime finish, 80-79.
BU’s recent success began with a 72-64 victory against Holy Cross on February 2, followed by impressive wins at home against Loyola Maryland and Army West Point, and a solid 82-69 performance against Bucknell. Junior Michael McNair has been a standout player during this streak, averaging a team-high 16.9 points per game and scoring 28 points in the victory over Bucknell, marking his ninth game of the season with over 20 points. He currently ranks seventh nationally with 89 made three-pointers, just six shy of the program record set by John Papale in 2016.
Sophomore Ben Defty has also shined, boasting an impressive 69.9% shooting percentage from the field, which puts him on track to break the program record. Defty averages 14.8 points and leads the Terriers in rebounding with 7.0 per game, including six double-doubles this season. Freshman Chance Gladden supports the offense, contributing 13.8 points and 4.8 assists per game, and recently notched his second double-double against Army.
The team has shown remarkable improvement in its offensive output during the current win streak, averaging 79.3 points and achieving a field goal percentage of 52.0%. Overall, the Terriers average 76.3 points while maintaining a solid defense, allowing opponents to score an average of 75.5 points per game.
Colgate, on the other hand, comes into the game with a strong season record of 18-6, positioning themselves second in the league with a 10-4 conference record. Led by Jalen Cox, who averages 17.2 points, the Raiders have shown consistent performance, both offensively and defensively. Colgate ranks highly in field goal shooting percentage and is known for their ability to limit turnovers, which has been crucial for their success this season.
The historical context favors Colgate, as they lead the all-time series against BU 36-31. Interestingly, the home team has won each of the last three matchups, which adds extra motivation for the Terriers as they prepare for this crucial game in their bid for a better standing in the upcoming Patriot League tournament.
As both teams approach the final stretch of the regular season, this game presents an essential opportunity for BU to make a statement. After facing challenges with player availability and fatigue in recent games, the Terriers will aim to leverage their home-court advantage against a formidable Colgate squad.