Team preview: Boston University

Blue Ribbon Illustrated previews the 2005-06 college basketball season, exclusively on Insider.

Updated: October 17, 2005, 6:30 PM ET
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(Information in this team report is as of October 1.)

COACH AND PROGRAM

Boston University's basketball program has consistently been a leader in the America East and this season is no different. In a year filled with changes throughout the conference, the Terriers will have a whole new look.

"I am excited about the idea that we have as many new guys as we have," BU coach Dennis Wolff said. "We have seven new guys, counting redshirts."

With the graduation of first-team all-conference selections Rashad Bell (15.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.7 bpg) and Chaz Carr (13.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.8 apg) and the transfer of forward Etienne Brower (8.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg) to Massachusetts, BU loses its top three scorers from last year's team.

But, BU basketball has never been about offense.

Wolff's team ranked first in the country in field-goal percentage defense (.371) and third in scoring defense (.557) last season and will again focus its attention on stopping opponents first.

"It's a consistent emphasis from me to the coaches and from the coaches to the guys that if you want to play, that's what you had better be working on," Wolff said.

While BU lacks the experienced core group that it has had while earning a postseason berth each of the last four seasons, Wolff should have a longer bench and be able to use more players in his rotation this season.

"We should have better depth, which is something that plagued us at the end of last season," Wolff said.


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