Ranking Men's Basketball's Nonconference Opponents: No. 5

In a series that began on Sunday and will continue through the Crimson’s season opener on Nov. 10 against MIT, men’s basketball beat writer Stephen Gleason will look at Harvard’s 13 nonconference opponents. Coming in at No. 5 is Boston University.

No. 13: MIT

No. 12: Holy Cross

No. 11: Fordham

No. 10: Manhattan

No. 9: Massachusetts

No. 8: Wofford

No. 7: Northeastern

No. 6: George Washington

Boston University

2017-2018 Matchup: Thursday, December 21 at Lavietes Pavilion (7:00 p.m.)

2016-2017 Record: 18-14 overall, 12-6 Patriot League

2016-2017 Matchup: N/A

Head Coach: Joe Jones (7th season)

Key Returning Players: senior guard Cedric Hankerson (started 27 games a season ago and averaged nearly 29 minutes per contest, led the team in three-pointers and is its top returning scorer); sophomore forward Tyler Scanlon (started 22 games and averaged 8.1 points, will need to help replace Eric Fanning and Justin Alston, the team’s top scorers and rebounders from a season ago)

Stat to Watch: 1.9: the distance in miles from Case Gym to Lavietes Pavilion, the closest road game that the Terriers will play this season

Overview: Harvard coach Tommy Amaker is 8-3 in games against Joe Jones since arriving in Cambridge in 2007. While BU will need to replace key pieces from its frontcourt, the Terriers were picked to finish in the Patriot League. Hankerson and fellow senior guard Cheddi Mosely, who played in just 11 games last season, will pace the Terriers’ scoring attack.

—Staff writer Stephen J. Gleason can be reached at stephen.gleason@thecrimson.com.