Preview / Game Thread: Critical moment for Hartford as BU tries to keep pace with Stony Brook

While most of New England will be focused on the events in Foxboro, AE eyes will be focused on Hartford at 4 pm. Hartford, who sit at 4-2 on the season, take on second place BU, who are at 5-1. The Hawks have won three straight, but this is the first serious competition they will face in conference play. Even more critical is that they must travel to Stony Brook after this. A victory against the Terriers would put them on solid footing in the conference and give them extremely positive momentum heading to Long Island with their match-up against the top team in the conference.

For BU, they are playing their best basketball of the season. In the five straight wins since their loss to Vermont to open conference play, they have allowed 60 points or more in only one game. Darryl Partin is making a clear case for the POY award, as he has gone off in conference play. Along with D.J. Irving, BU has one of the top guard-combo's in the conference.

More after the jump

Key to Victory: Three point shooting. We all know Hartford lives and dies by the three. If Hartford can hit those shots, they could pull the upset. However, it will be BU's outside defense that will a big factor. The Terriers have allowed 54 three point attempts in their last two games. Not that good right? However, in those two games, they have held their opponent to under 40% from three-point range. In their last two, Hartford has shot 40% or better from behind the arc. Something has got to give in this game.

X-Factor: Genesis Maciel and Mark Nwakamma. If three point shooting is going to be key, Wes Cole should be the X-Factor, right? However, Cole has been extremely productive in all of Hartford's conference games. Andres Torres will also put up his regular numbers. However, since BU has so many weapons, Hartford will need a third weapon to step up. If Torres and Cole can handle the outside, the Hawks will need someone down low, especially since BU has Patrick Hazel and Dom Morris. Both Maciel and Nwakamma will be critical for the Hawks. If BU can neutralize them, it will be a rough day. If both players can continue their solid play, especially Maciel (who has looked good since coming off an injury), this game will be interesting.

Prediction: Two hot teams. It is hard to believe that this would be such an interesting match-up. While I like what Hartford has been doing, BU has the advantage. Hartford has played weak competition and BU is battle tested. Also, BU has so many weapons on offense. They have the defense to limit Torres and Cole. BU wins, but it won't be a runaway.