Boston University (1-0) at Northwestern (1-0)
Date & Time: Friday, Nov. 7 | 6 p.m. ET
Venue: Welsh-Ryan Arena | Evanston, Ill.
X: @BUGameDay | @TerrierMBB
BOSTON – Looking to carry momentum from the thrilling overtime win at Northeastern, the Boston University men’s basketball team will conclude the season-opening two-game road trip at Northwestern Friday night. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m. ET on Peacock.
With the Terriers and Wildcats facing off for the first time in 66 years, BU will make its first trip to the Prairie State since visiting Illinois-Chicago on Jan. 3, 1984. BU most recently played a team from the state in 2021 when it topped Northern Illinois, 76-58, en route to capturing the Jax Bracket trophy at the Jacksonville Classic.
TERRIER TIDBITS
- Following the one-point win at Northeastern, the Terriers will try to start a season 2-0 for the first time since 2013 (Northeastern, UMass Lowell) and win their first two road contests since accomplishing the feat in 2018 (Northeastern, UAlbany).
- During Monday’s victory in his first career start, sophomore Ben Defty set career highs in points (20), rebounds (8), blocks (5) and steals (3).
- Freshman Sam Hughes drained five 3-pointers off nine attempts on his way to totaling 21 points, the most by a freshman making his debut since Daman Tate (’23) totaled 26 in the season opener at Holy Cross on Jan. 4, 2021. Proving clutch, Hughes hit a pair of free throw attempts at 3.6 seconds to send the game to overtime.
- The rest of the team went 1-of-19 from behind the arc and finished the contest 28-of-61 (.459) while also shooting 14-of-20 (.700) at the charity stripe.
- Defense stepped up in OT, holding the Huskies to 37.5 percent shooting, and Defty stepped up with six points off two field goals and two free throws.
- Freshman Chance Gladden made his impact off the bench with eight points and five assists, while graduate student Ethan Okwuosa recorded eight points and five rebounds in his first appearance since facing Northeastern a year prior.
- BU will try to defeat a Power 4 program for the first time since posting a 78-70 victory at South Carolina in 2019 and beat a Big 10 member for the first time since dispatching Indiana, 71-67, at the 2009 Puerto Rico tip-off.
SCOUTING NORTHWESTERN
- The Wildcats were selected 15th out of 18 programs in the Big Ten preseason media poll after Northwestern posted a 17-16 record last season with a 12-5 home record and 7-13 conference mark.
- Last season, NU upended both Northeastern (85-60) and Patriot League member Lehigh (90-46) at home before adding a notable OT victory over then-No. 19 Illinois, 70-66.
- The Wildcats started their season with a 70-47 win vs. Mercyhurst behind Cincinnati transfer Arrinten Page’s 18 points and 12 rebounds. He overcame 4-of-10 shooting in the field by hitting 10 free throws off 12 attempts.
- 2025 All-Big Ten Second Team honoree and fellow forward Nick Martinelli added 17 points, as NU finished 19-of-52 (.365) and held the Lakers to 18-of-60 (.300).
- The Wildcats went 27-of-38 at the charity stripe and out-rebounded Mercyhurst, 49-32, en route to a 23-5 advantage in second-chance points.
SERIES HISTORY
- BU and Northwestern are meeting for the second time ever after the host Wildcats posted a 78-74 victory on Dec. 19, 1959.
LOOKING AHEAD
- BU will open the 14-game home slate against Brown on Wednesday, Nov. 12, with a 7 p.m. tip.
- The Terriers will face the Bears for the first time dropping a 63-60 decision at Brown on Dec. 30, 1993.
- Brown leads the all-time series, 25-12, dating back to 1902.
- Bears mark the first of four Ivy League opponents for BU, who will also face Columbia (road), Harvard (neutral) and Dartmouth (road).
