Ben Defty (CAS’28) in BU’s 76-75 overtime win over Northeastern November 3. Defty is poised for a breakout sophomore campaign. Photo by Jim Pierce

Varsity Sports

BU Men’s Basketball Hosts Brown in Season Home Opener

Terriers’ goal: Patriot League Championship

The first seven games of the new season are important for the Boston University men’s basketball team, even though they’re all nonconference games. 

“They really help instill what your culture is going to be for the year and as a team,” says Otto Landrum (SHA’26). “It’s what we focused on mostly all summer, and we’re trying to be one of the top teams in the Northeast.”

For Joe Jones, now in his 15th season as head coach, nonconference play is about “playing within our philosophy,” he says.

“That’s the thing that I would like to get out of the next couple of practices and in the games. Can we play and cut down on mistakes within how we’re trying to play?” he adds. Under Jones, that translates to an emphasis on defense, rebounding, and limiting turnovers.

There are a lot of expectations around this year’s season. The team has been picked to finish second in the Patriot League preseason poll (receiving two first-place votes). 

“Every year we’re here, we’re working towards becoming the best version of ourselves,” Jones says. “I would say that the number-one thing is reaching our potential as a team.”

All 365 Division I basketball teams are shooting for the same goal: reaching the NCAA Tournament (aka March Madness). But for the Terriers specifically, it begins with winning 20 games, earning home court advantage in the Patriot League Tournament, and, ultimately, winning their first conference title since 2020.

The Terriers will be looking to Kyrone Alexander (Questrom’27) to help get there. The junior, who averaged a team-high 12.9 points and 5.1 rebounds per game last season, was selected to the preseason All-Patriot League Team.

Alexander has advanced as a leader, Jones says, noting that he’s being more vocal in practice and handling constructive criticism well because he wants to continue to improve as a player. “He’s matured. He’s worked hard on his shooting. He’s gotten to be a scorer and a main decision maker for us. And he’s just someone that plays an all-around game,” the coach adds.

Ben Defty (CAS’28) is another player the team will be relying on. The seven-footer is poised for a breakout sophomore campaign. He averaged just 4.9 points in 11.6 minutes per game as a freshman, but in this season’s first game, a 76-75 overtime victory at rival Northeastern University on November 3, Defty played 31 minutes, scored 21 points, corralled 8 rebounds, blocked 5 shots, and swiped 3 steals. Both his teammates and his coaches expect big things from him this year.

“He took super big strides and became an elite seven-footer,” Landrum says. “He worked on his body all summer. He’s super strong, he dunks everything, his jumper looks good. He does all the little stuff now. So I’m really excited to watch him.”

Defty isn’t the only player who’s improved, Jones says. Michael McNair (CAS’27), Azmar Abdullah (CAS’28), Ben Roy (Questrom’26), and Malcolm Chimezie (CAS’26) have all leveled up.

And when it comes to the four-member freshmen class of Chance Gladden (CAS’29), Sam Hughes (CAS’29), Andrew Bhesania (CAS’29), and Donte Tisinger, Jr. (CAS’29), each one stands out, McNair says. “We got a lot of talented guys that we can play a lot, and I think that’s big for our team.” 

Hughes exploded for a team-high 21 points in last week’s Terrier win over the Huskies, making five 3-pointers. Gladden added eight points and five assists in 31 minutes.

“Sam and Chance are incredible. They play like vets already. Sam’s one of the toughest shot makers I’ve ever seen,” Landrum says.

BU’s nonconference schedule isn’t easy, with games at Big 10 opponents Northwestern and Penn State as well as games against high-level mid-majors Merrimack College and Columbia. The emphasis on culture and identity cannot be understated.

“It’s going to test our mental and physical abilities,” McNair says. “It’s a really exciting feeling to be able to go play teams that most people think we can’t beat.”

The BU men’s basketball team hosts Brown Wednesday, November 12, at 7 pm, at Case Gym. Tickets are free for students with a sports pass, $5 for faculty, staff, and students without a sports pass, and $8 for the general public. Fans can stream the action on ESPN+.