BC Hoop-la

It's been too long

2007-03-13T12:57:00.000-07:00

Hey all,

I apologize for being out of touch. I just got back from vacation and I am revving up for the big game on Thursday.

Unfortunately, we are not coming into the tournament with the head of steam that I would have liked, but I still think the team can do some damage. I will be traveling down to North Carolina for the game on Thursday, and I am cautiously optimistic.

Normally, I would not be excited to face a Bobby Knight team in the tournament. He is one of the game's most prolific coaches, and he has the ability to extract the very most from his teams. However, Mr. Knight has one trait that might lead to his demise on Thursday: stubbornness.

Bobby is known for his man-to-man defense, and he will not stray from this philosophy. This bodes well for the Eagles, who might be able to exploit potential mismatches inside with Jared. While the ACC Player of the Year has struggled of late, I expect him to break out of his slump on Thursday. Dudley has been visibly exhausted recently, and the time off should enable him to give his all on the national stage.

Duds will likely draw a match-up against 6-6 Alan Voskuil or 6-5 Martin Zeno. I hope for the later, since Zeno is one of Tech's leaders and I think Jared could force him to the bench with foul trouble.

I'm a little bothered by the lack of minutes that Marquez Haynes has played recently. I believe Haynes to be BC's best on-the-ball defender, and I think he could shut down (or at least slow down) Tech's Jarrius Jackson. Jackson is a senior leader, and will look to carry Tech offensively. Haynes might offer Rice some support defensively, though Rice should bring the ball up the court (otherwise Knight will look to capitalize on Haynes' turnover problem)

This game should be hard fought and painful to watch for the BC fan. In the end, my crystal ball tells me that the three-headed monster will come to play, and the Eagles will squeak it out, 65-61. That would leave BC with a major challenge in the Round of 32, in which the streaking Hoyas are the likely opponent. I have already started dreaming about this game- I just hope the rest of the team hasn't thought that far ahead...

Sound Advice

2007-02-28T10:14:00.000-08:00

Senior Spring Break will be taking me south of the border next week. Though I will not be able to post in this critical end to the regular season, I will be avidly cheering for BC on Sunday, and next week when they begin the ACC Tournament. My flight back into the States is that Saturday, and I will be sure to voice my thoughts then.

In the meantime, I will leave the BC Basketball Community with an inspired message from my mother, who has adopted the team as her own. In a heated college basketball debate between my mother and my father (not really- just late one night sitting on the couch), my mother shared a vision that help the boys achieve new heights. My mother's advice to help the Eagles soar:

"Relax. Regroup, Reunite. Then you will be awesome"

I love you ma.

Senior Send-off

2007-02-25T06:29:00.000-08:00

In 2003, Jared Dudley and Sean Marshall stepped onto Boston College campus for the first time, and they had an instant impact. In the tandem's first game against Appalachian State, the Eagles rode Sean's nine points and Jared's seven rebounds to a 92-67 victory. Since that day, the Eagles have called upon the two seniors to contribute every game (exception: Kansas). It hasn't always been pretty, but the duo have helped the Eagles achieve three consecutive NCAA births, and have successfully weathered the transition into the competitive Atlantic Coast Conference.

Jared ended the season chipping in 11.6 points per game, was a unanimous Big East All-Rookie Team selection, and was honored as Rookie of the Year by the New England Basketball Coaches Association. Last night, in his final game in Conte Forum, Jared broke out of his recent slump to remind BC fans just how valuable his presence on the court is.

The Eagles' 59-54 victory over the Clemson Tigers brought the team one step closer to the round of 64. BC's big three (Dudley, Marshall, and Rice) adopted a Machiavellian approach to the game, proving the ends justify the means, scoring all but four scrappy points for the Eagles.

ATL Eagle and Bitter Eagle discuss the individual performances in greater depth, but I want to spend time discussing the position the Eagles are now in. The season has been an emotional roller coaster, and BC's performance has been as volatile as any team in America (sometimes looking like ACC contenders, and sometimes looking hopeless against inferior opponents).

The Eagles have always preferred to flying under the radar, winning games that they shouldn't, and dropping the ones with odds in their favor (BC sports, in general). The past few games- Duke, UNC, and Virginia Tech- have been tough to watch as a fan, but must be weighed in the greater scheme of the season. Having lost Sean Williams, a man that hunted down Webster to redefine 'athleticism', it was difficult to imagine that the Eagles would get to ten conference wins...

The Eagles were visbly tired on the floor yesterday, and the week off before traveling to Georgia Tech will give the team the rare opportunity to recover. After losing McClain and Williams earlier in the season, BC has played with a short bench, relying on players to ignore any nagging injuries.

The relentless ACC schedule proved to be physically taxing on the players, recently translating into dropped passes, careless fouls, and dispicable free-throw shooting.

With only one game in a span of almost two weeks, the Eagles should be able to take a deep breath and prepare for the conference tournament, and hopefully the NCAA tournament.

Dudley has been hounded of late, with teams doubling down on the POY candidate and taking him out of his rhythm. After a rough first half last night (6 points), in which the Tigers were manhandling him inside (unabated by the refs), the Eagles latched onto Jared's cornrows and the senior captain brought home the W.

Winning was critical for BC's confidence down the stretch, and should be enough to quiet the media's recent 'BC Hate Campaign.' These Eagles will be a tournament team, and they have the leadership to do some real damage...

One side note- I'm sorry that the Eagles had so much trouble inbounding the ball of late, because I would have loved to see Tyler Neville get in the game. I don't want to put the blame on Al, who's thoughts appeared to be elsewhere, but this kid should have been on the floor of Conte when BC was up five with 4 seconds remaining. Thanks Tyler!

A Bump In The Road

2007-02-22T05:06:00.000-08:00

Now is not the time for Boston College to get complacent. Just over a week ago, the Eagles were sitting alone atop the ACC, with an NCAA birth all but locked up. Senior Captain, Jared Dudley, was making a strong case for ACC Player of the Year and a spot on the All-American roster.

Visits from Duke and North Carolina to Chestnut Hill, and a trek down to Blacksburg have weighed heavily on the Eagles, dragging them down from their ACC perch. Last night's 79-62 debacle poured salt on the wounds from last week, and the Eagles are no longer a "lock" for the tournament. The Eagles must get to ten conference wins, which they will have the chance to do on Saturday at home against Clemson.

The Eagles' recent struggles have exposed my biggest pet peeve with Boston College bandwagon fans. They are on board when times are good, yet they jump ship when things start to go south. I know that John Kerry is from Massachussetts, but Eagle fans cannot flip-flop their opinions based on the course of one play, one series, or even one game.

Case in point: Jared Dudley missed three big free throws at the tail end of the North Carolina game. The widely acknowledged Player of The Year candidate was being badmouthed by Superfans and alumni alike. I'm sorry, but hasn't this kid stepped up at critical times throughout his career, achieving the unthinkable.

Case in point: John Oates has killed BC at certain points this season by hoisting up three-point shots early in the shot clock. While the Superfans spend the majority of the game chanting "We want Blair!," they go nuts when one of Oates' buckets falls and they parade around as if they predicted it.

Moral of the story is this: if you are going to be critical of the Eagles, I can appreciate that. If you don't like Skinner... fine; if you don't like Oates... fine. However, stop riding the Eagles' momentous upswings and downturns with your 'I told you so' bullshit.

As for the rest of the season, I am optimistic. The Eagles have proven that they can compete, but it is critical to build some momentum going into tournament season. Despite three straight losses, every Superfan should be in attendance Saturday to see Jared & Sean compete in Conte Forum for the last time. Go Eagles!!

Jared needs your support

2007-02-20T12:00:00.000-08:00

Log onto ESPN today and vote for Jared Dudley as the player of the year. Despite a tough week for Duds, his leadership all season long has poised the Eagles to make a run at the ACC and National Tournaments.

Carolina Blues

2007-02-18T11:51:00.001-08:00

It was a fitting finish to a disapointing week for BC Sports. The women's hockey team victory BU to win the Beanpot was overshadowed by a heartbreaking overtime loss on the men's side and two tough losses on the hard court. The mens hockey team responded by sweeping Maine at home, and the BC hoopsters will look to do the same against Virginia Tech on the road Wednesday.

Saturday night, the Eagles fell to new ACC leader North Carolina 77-72 in arguably the most anticipated regular season BC basketball game in history. The game seemed just beyond the Eagles' reach the entire game, and when the final buzzer sounded, UNC proved to be a little too much.

There were many missed opportunities down the stretch that can be pointed to as "reasons" for the loss, but BC played its heart out and it would be unfair to point fingers. The intensity of the match-up seemed to suggest that the two teams will face each other again in tournament play (conference or national).

It took me a long time to compose myself, subdue my emotions, and really determine what lessons should be learned from the game:

1. Skinner did a nice job. After a week of being torn apart on the message boards, he managed the game much more effectively Saturday. The technical foul was bogus, but I'm glad to see him exhibiting some emotion. There was no reason for the calls against Jared earlyl on, and I was happy to see Al go down swingin'. Also, Skinner used the team's timeouts effectively and substituted players on the floor appropriately.

2. The atmosphere in Conte tonight was explosive. As a fan, it was the best experience I have had on The Heights. While the court-storming victory over Syracuse challenges this one (a loss), the move to the ACC is really starting to captivate fans all over. I was glad to see Craig back in Conte to witness it. Having GameDay on campus in the morning was an additional plus, allowing the students and fans to rally around the team's achievements.

3. It was disapointing to see Jared picked up his third foul early in the first half. Duds is BC's emotional leader on the floor, and with him on the bench, BC spent the last few minutes of the half trying to stay within striking distance, rather than build a lead. Other than his struggles from the line, Jared played a great game.

4. Tyrese Rice does not back down. His performance Saturday (20 points) allowed him to show the world how dynamic of a player he is. While the electric Ty Lawson ran up and down the court, with no apparant tar on his heels, Rice successfully got into the lane and scored some big buckets. He has come so far, and is only getting better.

In my opinion, the critical differences in the game were rebounding in the first half and free throw shooting (the ten missed three's in the second frame didn't help either). BC matched the talented Tar Heels in terms of field goals... they were just more effective from the stripe and they had more second chance opportunities.

All in all, it is hard to be upset about the result. It was a hard fought game that both teams deserved to win. Unfortunately, the Eagles came up a little bit short this time, leveling the all-time series to 3 wins apiece. BC will potentially see the Tar Heels again this year, and revenge will be sweet.

Opportunity Lost

2007-02-15T04:48:00.000-08:00

The most frustrating thing about the Duke game is that it was completely winable.

Within 30 minutes of game end, ATL Eagle and Alex F. were tapping into the blogosphere with their thoughts. Between what they each had to say, it would be redundant for me to write a long-winded explanation of how BC allowed the game slip away. However, there are a couple of issues that are worth revisiting:

1. Self-Imposed Handicap:

Opting to put, and keep, John Oates on the floor was a disaster. My thoughts on Oates have been well-documented, but I think BravesBill provides a good recap of how last night went for the Big Baby.

2. Leadership from the Bench:

Skinner did not perform well tonight. This is a reality that is well documented on the web. There is no reason John Oates was on the floor for as long as he was, with Blair idle on the sideline (especially after the way Blair played in Cameron a few weeks ago).

There is also no excuse for not using our timeouts more effectively. I realize that Al has been saving these all year for a rainy day, but the weather sucked yesterday! In three minutes at the tail of the first period, a two point lead became an eleven point deficit. Not the way you want to close out a half. If the philosophy is to let experienced players pull the team out of a funk, Al must recognize that Duke is a team that goes on runs. Managing those runs, and preventing the Blue Devils from building insurmountable leads, is critical in tough ACC match-ups. I won't think of Al as less of a man is he chooses to use a timeout, especially when senior leader Jared Dudley is forced onto the bench with foul trouble.

Halftime adjustments seemed non-existant, and the team should have introduced the full-court pressure earlier in the game. By the time the Eagles were able to sort it out on their own, there was not enough time to climb all the way back.

Also, Dudley needed to get more touches early to establish a presence. The lack of touches took Jared out of the game, and he could never get into a groove. Granted- he did not play well when he had the ball, but JD is our glorified leader and deserves the opportunity to figure it out. He is a smart player- if his shots aren't falling, Duds will look to pass. Oates, on the other hand, hoisted five threes in the first five minutes. What a joke!

3. Uncontrollable Handicap:

I hate to even mention this, but the officiating tonight was a gross injustice. The Eagles, and its fans, allowed the referees to take the focus off the game- which proved to be a very costly mistake. But, it seemed as if the crew was intent on solidifying the Blue Devils slot in the Big Dance. It appeared like a calculated effort, in which the referees whistled BC's best for ticky-tack fouls and pretended not to see the forearm shivers that Duke would throw when chasing down a loose ball. Calls were made against BC at very critical times, and calls against Duke were reserved for when the result would be insignificant. After a series of awful calls going in Duke's favor, I remember checking the team fouls. Duke had more team fouls, and BC's case for poor officiating would have been thrown out before entering the courtroom.

There are plenty of other issues that I could, and probably should, get into. However, I do not want to dwell on all of the negatives from tonight. I hope the team will use this as a wake up call and continue to build on the momentum that they have worked hard to achieve all season long. UNC on Saturday will be a great test. While many people question the legitimacy of the Blue Devils, nobody doubts the talent that is flying in from Chapel Hill.

Again- I'm frustrated because Duke was beatable tonight. However, I'm relieved to know that Duke will be beatable on future nights, and next time we see them (come tournament time), the stakes will be higher.

Mr. Irrelevant

2007-02-11T14:25:00.000-08:00

Thirteen year-olds, avert your eyes. There is a virus on the college basketball court that is a living, breathing human-form contradiction of every previously conceived basketball fundamental.

As youth basketball coaches, allowing your team to watch John Oates on the basketball court is as debilitating as tying 15 pound ankle weights to a child trying to pass their summer camp's swim test.

In the series of eight minutes, John Oates missed three 3-pointers early in the shot clock, blindly ran away from two incoming passes, picked up two weak fouls, and played defense as if he wanted to allow Florida State players the ability to meditate in solidarity on the inside. I nearly threw up in my mouth watching Oates build the foundation for Florida State's 22-9 lead. Finally, a substitution eight minutes into the half allowed the Eagles to start fighting back.

I recognize that Blair is not the athletic phenom that Sean Williams was, but he is not a seven foot leech sucking the lifeblood out of the Eagles. Blair has earned his time, and he is deserving of the incumbent’s starting spot. Tyrelle sure proved tonight that he is not afraid to take a big shot, chase down loose balls, and establish the inside presence that pundits have cited as a weakness.

Al- you are a great Samaritan. I would love to go golfing with you. But seriously, the concept of a handicap needn't be applied to the college basketball court. Oates does not need to be on the floor when the jump ball is thrown.

The player, cited by coaches and the media as an offensive weapon, is shooting 33% from the field and 28% from behind the arc. Additionally, the biggest man on the floor is only pulling down 3.4 rebounds a game in twenty minutes. If John was in position, at least six boards would fall into his lap each game.

My views are unfortunately being compromised by my recent frustrations. As long as John is on the floor, I will cheer for him. That being said, I hope I can focus my cheering on some of the other Eagles who have proven their worth over the course of the season.

For a few more thoughts on Oates' stellar play, Alex F. vents as well.

Hometown Hero

2007-02-11T14:21:00.000-08:00

With seven seconds remaining, and the Eagles inbounding the ball underneath, Tyrelle Blair seemed like the least likely of threats. Blair, however, didn't hesitate to hoist the shot when he received it on the elbow- burying the jumper that got Boston College over the hump against Al Thorton and the Florida State Seminoles (68-67).

Jared Dudley exhibited his normal brilliance, and Tyrese Rice continued to show why he is developing into a premier point guard in college basketball. The duo combined for 46 of Boston College's 68 points.

While I could go on for hours about these two, I would be preaching to the choir. If you are reading this blog, you obviously have been watching these guys in awe all season long.

However, I want to bring light to a particular play that made me proud to attend the same university as this class act. No, I am not referring to the four point play that you can watch later on ESPN's Top Ten. I am referring to the play when the opposing high-flier, Al Thorton, leapt into the Florida State rafters seeking a rebound, and came crashing hard down on his head.

There was no foul on the play, as Al simply lost his balance, and the Eagles were out quickly on a fast break. One player, however, did not make the trip down court. Instead, Jared opted to stay with Thorton to make sure that he was alright. That kind of respect for the game, and the cognisance of what is really important struck a nerve with me. Jared is often misunderstood because of his on-the-floor emotion and uncanny style. But at a time when the game is plagued with some real knuckleheads, Jared grounds himself with class.

A very welcome home for Tyrelle Blair, who played outside of himself, scoring the game winning jumper from the elbow with 3.3 seconds left. Blair also chalked up half a dozen blocks and 6 rebounds tonight, as forty members of his friends and family looked on from sideline.

The Eagles led for less then a minute tonight, but they were able to dig themselves out of the thirteen point hole that John Oates primarily dug in the first twelve minutes. Speaking of which, did anyone else watch the ogre storm the court with 3 seconds left? He showcased his motor skills there, and his stupidity could have resulted in a technical foul.

A huge victory for the Eagles, who took sole possession of the ACC lead. What a great way to start what has been advertised as “Heights Week” around campus. Men’s and Woman’s Beanpot, two hockey games against Maine, and the hoopsters play host to the ACC’s most prolific programs, Duke and UNC. There is a lot to be excited about, but the Eagles need to focus and take advantage of this opportunity. If you have tickets for the weeks events, show up early, cheer hard, and support the troops. Go Eagles!!

The SuperFan's Call To Duty

2007-02-05T11:08:00.000-08:00

The second letter to the editor in today's edition of The Heights (A BC bi-weekly campus newspaper) expresses many of the same viewpoints I have been voicing throughout the season.

Readers please take note.

Tech Blitz

2007-02-04T05:48:00.000-08:00

Conte Forum was rockin' on Sunday when the Eagles christened the new gold jerseys. The critical ACC match-up inspired BC ticket holders to show up as ACC fans, and the players fed off the energy in the 80-59 rout of #18 Virginia Tech.

Following the Hartford game, I spent a lot of time recently discussing the individual performances, and today told a similar story. Dudley and Rice played out of their minds. Watching each of these guys play is a real treat. Marshall, Haynes, Spears, Roche, and Blair all had solid games. The reserves have really stepped it up to give the roster-starved Eagles some consistant depth. And unfortunately, Oates could not shake his funk, and was a liability on both ends of the floor...

There are a couple of key take-aways from the game:

1. The Eagles effectively managed the clock in the second half. After building a commanding lead, the Eagles conscioiusly utilized the full 35 seconds on each possession. The Hokies, who adopted a full court press, were relentless in trying to speed up the tempo of the game. The Eagles could have easily buckled when the athletic Virginia Tech team began getting out on the break and flushing high-flying dunks. Rice and Co., unphased, set up the offense and squandered any momentum that started to build. This is a stark contrast from the beginning of the season.

2. The Eagles played well when Dudley was forced onto the bench. With three fouls in the first fourteen minutes, Jared headed to the bench and the question was posed: How would the Eagles respond? Over the next 7:16, Tyrese Rice oversaw the floor and guided the Eagles to a 47-26 halftime lead. Four or five games ago, I think this would have been a disaster. Now, the Eagles are equipped with the confidence to compete, even in adverse conditions.

3. Tyler Roche got some big game experience. From here on out, the ACC schedule is unforgiving, and every game is on the big stage. Coming from a background of New Hampshire high school gyms, Tyler navigated the uncharted waters with confidence. When the kid is not scoring, he is getting back on defense, putting his hands in the passing lanes, and rebounding the basketball. Roche has proven he belongs.

4. BC fans came out strong today, but they still have a few lessons to learn. At one point, students began a "Blair" chant, as John Oates struggled. I am not an Oates fan, but fans cannot cheer against their own players. Before and after the game, fans can debate who should be out there. Come game time, it is Skinner's decision who plays, and the hometown team deserves a hometown crowd. Secondly, I was deeply perturbed by the "Eagle Fans" that began filling the aisles to leave with three minutes left. Stay for the whole game...

Tech was ranked in the Top 25 for the first time in a decade, but BC looked determined to make their stay short-lived. Will the Eagles be featured when the new polls come out? They stare down the ACC rankings at four Top 25 teams, and their case is becoming more convincing.

As time expired, SuperFans chanted "We want Duke! We want Duke!," a team coming to town on February 14th. There is a lot of basketball to be played before then, however. Next week, BC packs it up and heads to Florida, eager to do battle with the Miami and Florida State. With a very difficult conference schedule remaining, the Eagles hope to build a lead in the fierce ACC and bolster a resume that is beginning to look NCAA-worthy.

Huge Win Today

2007-02-03T13:11:00.000-08:00

A huge win at home for the Eagles. ESPN said it best... "BC Steamroles Virginia Tech". My thoughts on the game will come soon.

Do Threes Grow On Trees?

2007-02-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

The officials in the BC basketball game against Hartford woke up this morning with an unfamiliar soreness in their shoulders. In a record setting performance, the Eagles buried their shots from the outside and forced the refs to raise both arms on fourteen separate occasions. It was raining threes in the 94-60 romp of the non-conference Hawks (9-13).

The Eagles shot an impressive 53.8% from behind the arc, and a remarkable 68.8% from the field in a game that afforded Al the opportunity to shuffle around the lineup (drawing from the deep bench of ten...). Despite the lopsided victory, this game was very revealing and was critical in establishing confidence for the less experienced guys on the floor.

The Individuals

As I hoped, Tyler Roche had the chance to play 19 meaningful minutes in the game. Tyler's confidence grew as the 'sharpshooter' hit his first 3 trifectas. I really like seeing this kid on the court. He hits the glass surprisingly hard for a guy his size, and he ferociously ripped the ball away from Hartford's big men a number of times.

Although Tyler doesn't always make his presence felt on the floor with flashy plays, he knows the game of basketball very well. He defends well, has a great court sense, and boxes out. In my opinion, this is more important for the Eagles than being a seven footer without motor skills.

Speaking of seven-footers, I thought Tyrelle Blair put in another solid performance. His six blocks provided a lift on the defensive end, along with seven rebounds and six points. Blair appears to be more comfortable then he was at the beginning of the season and he appears to be controlling his body much better.

The aforementioned players all deserve praise for their efforts, but Jared Dudley is the man that made it happen tonight. First of all, Jared was a perfect 8-8 from the field, which includes three from behind the arc. While the eight rebounds were expected, Jared's six assists tonight exhibited his brilliance as a player. Let me explain...

Dudley understands that the Eagles need former role players (Blair, Roche, etc.) to step up in order for BC to recognize the vision that he has for the season. Both of these players have appeared to lack confidence in their limited time on the court this season. Last night, Jared consciously attracted defenders and dished to his teammates to give them open looks either on the block or from the perimeter. At one point in the second half, as the shot clock was winding down, Jared had a wide open three pointer, but passed the ball 5 feet to Roche in the corner- forcing him to drain a three as the clock expired. The crowd exploded, and Roche looked like he was having fun for the first time all year. This is just one example of the things Jared does that don't appear in the stat line. Could Dudley be using the game to pad his ACC stats? Absolutely. It seems that he would rather get his 21 efficiently (8-8) and let his teammates build the confidence required for success.

Tyrese Rice also deserves praise for handing out 13 assists (only two turnovers). This number would have been significantly higher had his recipients been fouled less frequently underneath. Rice's distribution of the ball has been remarkable for the kid who is still learning how to be a point guard in this league.

John Oates shot 3-4 from three point land, but I was less than satisfied with his performance. I have been giving John a hard time recently, but it is well-deserved. Last night, the tallest Hawk on the court was 6'8". Why on earth is John Oates still tinkering along the three-point line. Granted, he made three of his four shots. Regardless, his season tally is a meager 12, and his three-point percentage was boosted to a mediocre 27.9% (12-43). Oates was one of only two Eagles not to record a single rebound last night- not a single one! Get inside and know your role- there are other guys that can shoot better from downtown and actually play defense (see Roche above). Do you think John cried when he got his tattoo?

Virginia Tech comes to town on Saturday, and I will be curious to see who is on the court when the opening tip is thrown.

In closure, I would like to congratulate Tyler Neville for his performance last night. Tyler has been with the team for five years now, and he might have scored his last points, grabbed his last board, and dished out his last assist. Thank you for all of your hard work!

Blue Devil Blues

2007-01-28T18:33:00.000-08:00

Losing to Duke 75-61 is never a pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon, but last night's game shed a lot of light onto Boston College's season at hand:

Al Skinner must manage his timeouts more effectively. I understand that Al likes to let players recover on their own, but BC's bench is no deeper than the kiddie pool. Fatigue must be an issue- BC allows oppponents to close out the first half on a run almost every contest. At halftime against Duke, it should never have been more than a two possession game. Instead, the buzzer sounded with the Eagles down eight, a margin that proved to be insurmountable in the second half.

I was pleasantly surprised by Tyrelle Blair tonight. He played on both ends of the court, and he contributed with blocks, rebounds, and some tough points. If Blair can continue to play like he did against the Blue Devils, I will rescind all of my negative comments and praise him for his efforts. The most noticable difference in his game was his confidence- though I am surprised that he found it at the always intimidating Cameron Indoor. I cannot fault a guy that is trying.

John Oates, however, is another story. After the way Blair played in the first half, what was Skinner thinking keeping him on the pine for the first twelve minutes of the second half. John played another game of awful defense and inefficient offense. His indifference on the court seems to drain energy from surrounding players. Oates has the raw skills to contribute, but he does not work nearly as hard as his fellow Eagles. Oates needs to step up.

If BC is going to beat deserving opponants, the team needs to finish their shots. BC's positioning underneath the basket afforded numerous putback opportunities, many of which were squandered by poor shooting. As a team, the Eagles only shot 35% from the field (compared to Duke's 50%).

Sean Marshall and Tyrese Rice have both shown flashes of brilliance this year. Unfortunately, they will need to bring their A games more consistantly if BC hopes to compete with the ACC elite. Marshall shot only 2-11 tonight. Sean is a very streaky shooter, therefore he needs to drive and create easy buckets before he starts lining it up from the outside.

Despite the loss, I am excited to get the Blue Devils at home in a few weeks. I think the team proved that the season is far from over. The Eagles shot poorly and had a number of mental mistakes, yet the team stayed competitive in one of college basketball's most hostile environments.

We should be able to gather some momentum on Wednesday against Hartford before Virginia Tech comes to town. I would like to see Al implement some new looks both offensively and defensively in the game. The Eagles need to refine their full court pressure. Also, the game may be an opportunity to get Roche and Kaba some valuable minutes. If Oates is not willing to answer the call of duty, perhaps one of these freshman will...

King Of The Court

2007-01-23T20:31:00.000-08:00

Laughing hysterically at the artwork radiating from Sean Marshall's bicep has long been a favorite past time of mine. However, the "King of the Court" tattoo seemed to have predictive ability, revealing a destiny that was realized tonight. Sean Marshall is finally becoming the player that BC fans all hoped he would be when he joined the team in 2003. After being sidelined with four fouls and forced to watch his teammates struggle, Sean returned to the floor to provide much needed leadership and a last second bucket that may change the course of the Eagles' season.

There has been a lot of uncertainty surrounding the team after Sean Williams and Akida McClain were given the Skinner Salute. The debacle at Clemson spurred criticism from fans and media alike. Despite sitting atop the ACC, the Eagles' season was considered over by many.

Tonight, Boston College got the result it needed. The victory was nice (to be honest, a loss would have been tragic), but the manner in which the team won cannot be overlooked. By overcoming a late deficit and winning on a last second heave by the team's senior captain, the victory inspired supporters everywhere and may have brought the spark that will carry the team over the rough road ahead.

To be successful, the Eagles need confidence. There was a lot of sulking around the floor against Clemson. Players appeared helpless, and the loss could have been recorded before the opening tip. Different story tonight; the big three (Dudley, Marshall, and Rice) each rose to the occasion with over 20 points, Spears contributed inside, and Blair exhibited a newly found confidence (however warranted).

There were a lot of things that I did not like about tonight. BC did not take care of the ball, they discovered the importance of foul management with a short bench (the hard way), and the Eagles allowed far too many points off turnovers. But who cares?!

All that matters is that the Eagles have proven able to compete without Sean Williams! This is a lesson that must be drilled into the players' heads. Confidence is key, and confidence is what will enable this year's team to overachieve in a talent-heavy ACC conference.

Marshall was the hero tonight, and he deserves it. ESPN just flashed the night's Top Ten Plays, a list that Sean has been campaigning for since doing cartwheels in his cradle. The King was rewarded with the number one spot. Now that his life's mission has been fulfilled, I hope that he wakes up tomorrow... we will need him against Duke.

Fan Frustrations

2007-01-21T11:07:00.000-08:00

Attention Boston College Fans around the globe:

There is serious epidemic that needs to be addressed. After yesterday's performance, countless alleged "fans" have begun to bash the current squad and discount the team's chances of making the tournament and making a run in the ACC.

In my opinion, this a bullshit! Chestnut Hill should not be a residential area for fair weather fans. In recent years, the Patriots, Red Sox, BC Football, BC Hockey, and BC Basketball teams have all enjoyed great success. Therefore, it is easy for students and alumni to pick and choose when to cheer. This is not fair to the team.

Yesterday was a bad game. We looked awful... fine. That doesn't mean that we should pack it in and start waving the white flag. After our rough start, skeptics abounded. Once we won a few in a row, ticketholders suddenly showed interest. Win or lose, fans need to support the team and make Conte Forum a tough place for opponents to care.

Cameron Indoor is packed regardless of the Blue Devils record. Boston College players need to know that fans appreciate their efforts, and will not abandon them when the going gets tough.

Stop showing up to games late. Stop leaving games early. Stop focusing on the bad, and start promoting the good. If we want the players to do their job each and every game, we need to do ours.

Clemson Debacle

2007-01-20T12:35:00.000-08:00

Williams and McClain absent, the Eagles appeared lost today in Littlejohn Collesium. The players' facial expressions told to entire story: Boston College lacked the confidence and the desire to win this game.

Clemson is a solid team that applied unsettling defensive pressure and had success stroking it from the outside. Regardless, there is no excuse for today's result. It was a disheartening end to a week filled with negativity.

Boston College fans around the country eagerly awaited this game, hoping the momentum would continue despite Williams' departure. Fans dreamt that Oates and Blair would step up to fill the void. The Clemson game was a rude awakening that exposed the duo's inability to compete on the division one basketball court.

The Big Babies

John Oates looked like he was going to cry today. He pranced around the floor, with his elbows tucked in and his hands propped like a fairy. After the slightest physical contact, John appealed to the officials like a six year old begging for an ice cream sundae. On the offensive side of the floor, John tiptoed through the flex as if he was avoiding cracks on the floor for his mother's sake.

Defensively, Oates appeared to have gotten drilled by Manolete, the famous matador, allowing opponents to penetrate at will. John must have hemmeroids, because once a shot was hoisted, he refused to put his backside into the Tigers' big men. Wow, that's a lot of similes, but I'm just trying to paint the picture...

Tyrelle Blair was given the chance play significant minutes this game. Each time he returned to the bench, however, he should have been greeted with a pacifer rather than a towel and water. His presence was a bad joke: like Oates, the "shot-blocking" transfer contributed nothing on defense. Blair got physically dominated, and any attempt to establish defensive positioning was thwarted by a whistle for a hand check. I would offer that BC could have done more with his roster spot, but I guess we need ten guys to practice.

More frustrating to me than Blair's defense was his passivity on offense. I understand the Tyrelle will not be a scoring threat for us, but Boston College appeared to be trying to hide him. We cannot afford to handicap ourselves with four players handling the ball- especially against a team like Clemson, which effectively applies full-court pressure.

Coaching Difficulties

I don't know if it was the coaching scheme or the players' failure to execute, but the gameplan today was a dissaster. Hammonds dropped his first four three pointers before BC got a clue. Players were not supporting one another when their teammates were beat off the dribble, and it was clear that man-to-man defense would not work against the Tigers.

The flex offense was ineffective when BC has only two players that are viable inside scoring threats. Instead, the combination of our slow-moving offense and Clemson's defensive pressure inspired poor shot selection as the shot clock wound down.

The most frustrating coaching note was that Jared Dudley appeared the most proactive. At every stoppage, Jared was the guy trying to teach Oates and Blair how to play the game. At this critical juncture, I would like to see more energy from Al. He needs to get these guys ready to play!

Stepping It Up

Shamari stepped it up big time against Clemson. In my opinion, he is the only player that deserves accolades. Marshall and Rice were victims of trying to do too much- they have to play within themselves. Jared couln't focus on his own game because he was constantly coaching Blair and Oates. That is not his job. He needs to get inside position and take over the game when the Eagles are struggling on offense. The next few games will test whether he is really the ACC's best player.

What's Next

It is hard to say what this game means for the rest of the season. My opinion is that the recent distractions decided this game before it started. The Eagles are still well positioned in the conference, and they need to finish strong. Guys that have been doing it all year (Dudley, Marshall, Rice) need to play consistantly, and the guys who have been either sporatic or lacking (Spears, Haynes, Oates, and Blair) need to rise to the occassion and get us over the hump. BC must believe that they can compete, and I expect that confidence to translate into performance.

Go Eagles!!

Formula For Success

2007-01-18T16:30:00.000-08:00

Akida and Sean are gone. There is no reason to dwell on the past. While Sean brought excitement and frustration to Conte Forum, Akida brought nothing more than inappropriate court side garb and the nagging question of "what if"? In his three years, Akida spent more time in the dentist office than he did on the basketball court- and his teeth do not demand special attention. The only thing more fake than his potential as a Boston College basketball player were the twenty dollar bills that earned him a warm seat on the bench.

The Eagles, for better or for worse, now have a roster full of guys that came to The Heights to play basketball. Off the court distractions are a thing of the past, and the team must focus on the future. But, without the dynamic Sean Williams in the front court, can the Eagles compete?

This has been the topic of conversation amongst my friends since the news was broken yesterday. While skeptics abound, some of the more knowledgeable basketball minds in the group see an opportunity. What if BC went small?

Boston College is renown for their rough-and-tough interior play on the hardwood and their physical offensive line on the gridiron. The move to the ACC has drawn a different type of athlete to Chestnut Hill, and our rosters are being filled with more and more speed.

Villanova proved last year that a team can compete by utilizing guard play, even in a conference loaded with superior front court talent- the Big East. When you scan the BC roster, it is clear that we are now deeper in the back court.

Based on talent and performance, our starting five should be as follows:

PG- Tyrese Rice
SG- Marquez Haynes
SF- Sean Marshall
PF- Jared Dudley
C- Shamari Spears

John Oates might be a better choice to start the game to give us a chance on the jump, but he should split time with Shamari. Spears has proven that he can rebound against bigger bodies, and he can establish inside position on the offensive end. Oates simply cannot.

Furthermore, Tyrell Blair is a liability on the floor, and attempting to have him take over for Sean Williams would be a disaster.

What I like about the small lineup:

1. All of these "starters" work their asses off. With the exception of Rice, none of these guys take plays off, and they appear to be the most cohesive group on the floor.

2. Team defense has looked very good recently when BC has applied full court pressure. This group should be quick enough to shift into and out of various defensive schemes, disrupting opponents.

3. This will take the entire load off of Jared's shoulders. While he is obviously the best player on the court for BC, a new look will force opponents to prepare for each floor match-up. The current system relies on our ability to out-execute teams with the Flex. There are no surprises.

4. Tyrese is a very good dribbler. Despite a small line-up, he should be able to slow the ball down and control the tempo of the game if BC chooses to. Skinner will need to be more aggressive from the bench, however, to make sure this is a focus.

What concerns me:

1. I don't know if Al Skinner can successfully implement this strategy. He was an inside player throughout his career, and he has typically coached the Flex on offense. He will need to be a lot more creative if we go small, and managing timeouts is critical in order to stymie cold streaks and opponent runs from happening.

2. The Eagles have no depth, therefore the starters must avoid injury. Tyler Roche has been given a few shots this year, and he has proven to be undeserving thus far. I hope this kid surprises me if he is called upon in the future. What happened to him being a good shooter? I haven't seen enough of Daye Kaba to determine if he is a viable option off the bench, but he has appeared timid in limited time. Neville has been around, but looks nervous on the floor and will likely buckle against the high-intensity defenses ACC opponents will throw at us.

3. If we go small, players need to do a better job following their shots. We all know that Haynes, Spears, Dudley, and Marshall are capable of rebounding, but they must assert themselves on the offensive end.

4. Our speed does not compare to many other college bball teams that opt to "go small." Also, we do not shoot the ball from the perimeter or from the line as well as successful teams have in the past (though we have shown improvement). To be competitive, we must still control the tempo of the game and get back on defense. Getting back has brought real issues this season, particularly against the Hurricanes

Saturday Will Be Interesting

I can't wait to see how the Eagles respond Saturday against Clemson. The Tigers will be hungry after being embarrassed by the Tar Heels last night. Boston College has dealt with adversity in the past, and the remaining guys on the roster have often brought their A game when the situation has demanded it. It will be a long road to the big dance, but BC is poised to do as The Average Joe's did in Dodgeball. This will be a true underdog story.

What a joke

2007-01-17T20:44:00.000-08:00

Akida and Sean are out. I am dissapointed in both of them. They not only pissed away tremendous opportunities for themselves, but they alienated a team that is on the verge of putting the pieces together.

Both players have brought off-the-court distractions to the program since Day 1, and it will be interesting to see how the Eagles respond to the short bench. I would get more into it, but I would be echoing Eagle in Atlanta, who has been doing a hell of a job recently.

The Sean Marshall Show

2007-01-17T08:02:00.000-08:00

Boston College recorded a much-needed conference victory at home last night in Al Skinner's 300th game as head coach of the Eagles. The W moved BC to 5-0 in conference and kept the squad positioned atop the ACC.

Sean Marshall led the charge, scoring the teams first nine points and entering the spotlight whenever the Eagles needed a spark. Long past are the days of reckless play and unfounded celebrations. Sean has matured into a dynamic player and an on-the-court leader (though I still cannot help but laugh at some of his antics). His maturity is exhibited by his refusal to turn the ball over and his relentless off-the-ball defense. Sean is typically the guy responsible for limiting talk of oppossing superstars to a murmer.

Tyrese Rice also bounced back from a tough game to score sixteen points and deliver a career-high 12 assists in 37 minutes. When this kid wants to play, he can change the dynamic of the game.

Dudley is my chief concern. Despite playing all forty minutes, delivering 18 points, and pimping his body out to draw numerous charges, all is not well for the California native. He is visibly struggling to run up and down the floor, which suggests that his foot injury will nag him for the remainder of the season.

I am very thankful for the win, but BC has a lot to improve on:

1. Transition defense was piss-poor. Miami ran all over us in the second half, particularly when the speedy Clemente was in the game. Granted, Jared is having a tough time running, and guys like Tyrell Blair are still trying to understand how legs function, but this was a joke. The inability of Tyrese Rice and John Oates (who generally hangs out way behind the arc to be ready for his momentum-draining three pointer) to get back is inexcusable. I attribute the struggles to pure laziness, and it allowed Miami to stay within striking distance.

2. Defensive rebounding was non-existant. I don't want to dwell on Oates, but he and others need to get more involved. Sean Williams was so preoccupied with trying to block shots or get out on the break yesterday that he constantly was out of position. When shots went up, nobody bumped bodies with the Hurricanes. As a result, a freshman (Collins) tallied 11 offensive rebounds! BC cannot afford to give up those second chance points. We work too hard to force bad shots.

3. We, the fans, (particularly the non-students) need to be more active. At certain points of the game, Conte resembled a morgue. The team has been playing well. When BC is up by 20, feel free to yell, clap, or at least breath audibly. The team is working hard for the school. Embrace them like family, and let's bring Conte up to par with the other ACC arenas. There is a lot to criticize on the floor, but this one is on us.

Down to Clemson on Saturday. The Tigers are out to a quick start, but BC is poised to turn some heads in South Carolina.

UVA game

2007-01-15T07:04:00.000-08:00

It wasn't pretty, but Boston College overcame a slow start and a slow finish to improve their ACC record to 4-0 on Saturday.

The Captains

It is clear that Jared is not yet 100%, and it is likely that his foot will be a burden for the rest of the season. Even still, Jared found ways to contribute, knocking down free throws and tearing down rebounds at critical times in the game.

Mr. Marshall also contributed, and his recent play has been impressive. Sean seems to be embracing the role of captain, and he is progressively making better decisions on the court. While he is still not the King, he is getting some traction inside the royal family- perhaps he is dating the Princess of the Court.

Supporting Cast

Sean Williams had another solid performance. It amazes me that a player hopeless on the offensive end last year can dedicate a summer to basketball and then shoot 75% from the line the following season. What a talent...

Also on the inside, Shamari brought a lift in the second half. A few big buckets and some great boxing out in the paint had me cheering for the kid from Blair Academy.

John Oates continues to be a liability on the floor, and the combination of "The Leech's" 1. poor interior defense, 2. ill-advised perimeter shooting, and 3. overall lack of energy seem to suck the life out of the Eagles when he checks in. There is no reason why this kid should be starting (I don't care if he is the incumbent). Please let me know if I am blind to something (anything) that he brings to the team. I have been down on him recently and I would love to cheer for the kid...

Tyrese played one of the worst games I have seen out of him in a long time. His shooting was off, his decision making was suspect, and his energy was absent. However, he has looked good in recent weeks, and he hit some clutch free throws down the stretch. I won't fault him- I was just hoping for a little more from a kid playing his hometown Cavaliers. Oh yeah- and what was he doing out there competing in the halftime entertainment (for those of you at the game, I hope you know what I'm talking about)?

I was very happy to see Al put a little full court pressure on the Hurricanes in the first half. The move seemed to liven the Eagles and inspire the comeback. Although Marquez proved against Wake Forest that he still has a lot of work to do breaking the press, his on-the-ball defense is spectacular. I love watching him get down in the fundamental stance and maneuver with even the ACC's quickest guards.

Outlook

BC needs to learn how to put together 40 minutes of basketball. At certain junctures, the Eagles looked energetic and cohesive, while other periods were plagued by carelessness and indifference.

The Good Guys didn't score a single point in the first 6:30. Even more disturbing, Al did not feel compelled to call a timeout. Historically, soft-spoken Skinner has given his players the freedom to recover on their own, but a timeout is needed when bookies are taking bets on whether the Eagles will crack double digits... for the game!

BC looks to keep the momentum going on Tuesday against the Hurricanes, a team that was handed its fifth loss in six games yesterday by Duke. Miami was missing three guys due to injuries, and Anthony Harris went down in the second half with a pulled calf. If BC looks to punish the Hurricanes on the boards, the Eagles will likely be sitting at 5-0 in conference play and one step closer to a NCAA birth.

NC State Revival

2007-01-06T12:09:00.000-08:00

Carolina was Heaven for Sean Marshall today, as a 74-58 victory over the NC State Wolfpack allowed him to opportunistically raise a finger to his lips and silence the hometown crowd.

More silencing than his patented hand gesture was his play, as Sean dropped 23 on the Wolfpack (17 in the second half). Additionally, Sean pulled 14 rebounds, and answered whenever a NC State comeback looked viable.

BC held a commanding 50-27 lead when State went on a 15-3 run. 15 looked like it would become 17 before Marshall recovered and sacrificed his body (and his robust good looks) to draw a critical offensive foul. On the ensuing possession, Sean and his silencing act drained a three pointer to pull the Eagles out of their slumber.

It was disconcerting to watch as the Wolfpack began to sneak back into the game. Despite controlling the majority of the game, I wasn't satisfied until the final buzzer sounded. I have seen too many leads evaporate due to poor judgement and lackluster defense.

It was a strong showing from Dudley, Williams and Rice, who each made valuable contributions. Dudley quietly scored his 20, while Rice and Williams each brought showtime to the floor. At one point, Tyrese had the nerve to bounce one between a NC State defender's legs to Sean Marshall for an old fashioned three-point play.

Today's win was huge for the Eagles, whose 2-0 sets them aside Virginia Tech at the top of the ACC. VT took down Duke in an overtime thriller today. Once they went to extra minutes, I was convinced the Blue Devils had a victory at Cameron Indoor sealed. I guess that's why they play the game...

BC needed this decisive victory in the new year. The guys will enjoy a few extra days in the Carolina sun before returning to Chestnut Hill. The next few weeks will determine our season, and hopefully we can carry the momentum forward.

New Years Resolutions

2007-01-04T08:15:00.000-08:00

New Years Day provides ample time for reflection, and many Americans enter the new year with aspirations of finding true love, getting organized, or becoming more fit. For Boston College Mens' Basketball Team, a number of issues deserve attention.

First of all, the team has rarely looked cohesive on defense. At many junctures, the inside players appear to be tripping over one another. This is most visible with Mr. Blair and Mr. Oates, who share a phobia of contact. Furthermore, you guys are big- learn how to box out...

Secondly, the team needs better on-the-court leadership. Jared Dudley and Sean Williams are great players, but they don't appear to command the same presence as their predecessors (most notably Craig Smith and Uka Agbai). Dudley and Williams need to show more urgency when the team is searching for a spark, and they need to make the players around them better.

Thirdly, game management needs to be improved. Louis Hinnant was, in my opinion, directly responsible for 70% of the close games that BC won during his time at four years. While Louis wasn't necessarily the one scoring all the baskets, he knew how to manage the clock to fight back and/or protect a lead in the final minutes of the game. Tyrese Rice and others have often appeared helpless when crucial decisions need to be made. Until his basketball IQ increases, Al needs to be more vocal from the bench (that includes calling a timeout once in a while).

Most of all, this years' team needs fire. They need to come out for every game ready to play, and they need to bury teammates in the first couple of minutes. Once a lead is established, they should not allow teams to constantly fight back. This isn't Mario Cart 64. Finish them!

The first game of 2007 allowed us to make good on some of these resolutions (team defense, balanced scoring, improved leadership). By the same token, it was the Yale Bulldogs, and a loss would have been tragic. The team allowed Yale to hang around for too long, and they allowed the Bulldogs to creep back into the game.

I don't want to over-analyze the team's performance until we see how the the game against NC State goes. A win is a win, and BC will need 10 or 11 in conference to have a shot at the Big Dance.

Ugh...

2006-12-29T06:56:00.000-08:00

Duquesne coach Ron Everhart is not the only one who is sick to their stomach. Last night was one of the sorriest performances in recent BC basketball history. The absence of Jared Dudley, John Oates, and Akida McLain does not justify losing to a team that went 3-24 last season, is playing without their head coach, and held open tryouts to fill a roster that includes four guys still sidelined by injuries from a campus shooting. I keep trying to wake up- is this not just a bad dream...?

The preseason Top 20 Eagles just dropped their second in a row to Duquesne. While, some refer to them as "the Dukes," they should not be confused with the Blue Devils from Raleigh. They don't have Cameron Indoor; they don't have Coach K or three national championships; hell, they don't even have dreams about beating Duke.

Regrettably, I was unable to watch the game because the game was not televised in my area. Therefore, I cannot provide too much commentary on our play (what went wrong, etc). However, the fact that we blew a 10-point lead with under five minutes left supports my hypothesis that we are deprived of fundamental game management skills. Our basketball IQ leads me to believe that we should ride a short bus to games... it would sure save us money on gas.

I would quickly like to address the comments on the message boards about how poor the officiating has been of late. I am constantly offended by the lack of calls that we get, especially after having proven that we are a worthy ACC contender last season.

However, nothing will change in the near future for a couple of reasons:

First of all, Al Skinner's coaching demeanor has gotten him recruited by each of the seven regiments responsible for guarding Buckingham Palace. Simply put, the man is not going to hound the referees like Gary Williams, Coach K, or even an off-duty mime.

Secondly, our team doesn't really live up to the clean-cut ACC image of Duke, UNC, and others. Our guys jump out of buildings to escape gun fights, spend the bulk of their career suspended, rock crazy hair dews, wear uniforms that drape off their bodies like flags, and spend more ink on their biceps then they do on their term papers...

This is the team that BC Fans everywhere has grown to love, but let's be honest- there aren't too many other people cheering for us. The red carpets weren't exactly rolled out for us last year. That being said, we need to stand by our team, and help them put together the kind of resume that will have us playing in March, when everything is determined on the court.

A Black Cloud

2006-12-25T12:28:00.000-08:00

Once again, I was unable to sleep on Christmas Eve. This time, however, it was not the anticipation of Christmas that kept me counting the sheep. Instead, I was a nervous for Jared and the boys.

Al Skinner reported in the Globe that there is currently a "black cloud" hanging over the BC Hoopsters. Plagued by injuries, the Eagles recently endured defeat at the hands of the Kansas Jayhawks in front of a national television audience.

BC Bigmen are limping around the court, with Oates injured and McClain sidelining himself just minutes into his season. Most troublesome is the recent setback to Jared Dudley, who has been bothered by his left foot injury since the beginning of the season.

The Eagles will have to rely on the senior leadership of Sean Marshall, and the inside presence of Sean Williams to win the next couple against Duquesne and Northeastern. Hopefully, the other guys will be back to 100% by the time the Eagles dig into their conference schedule in Janurary.

SI reports that Duquesne will be without coach Ron Everhart on Thursday night. Everhart unfortunately suffered a gastrointestinal ailment on Christmas and is expected to remain hospitalized for a few more days.

The Significance of KU

2006-12-21T08:10:00.000-08:00

Lawrence is calling, and the Jayhawks await. In two days, the Eagles will be flying into the home of the reigning Big XII Champion. This game is critical for the Eagles, who have been playing inspired basketball of late. Many people have expressed their discontent with the pollers, who refuse to admit Boston College back into the Top 25. The Kansas game is the only opportunity the Eagles have to "wow" the pollers before really digging into their ACC Schedule in the new year. Following the Jayhawks, the Eagles battle Duquesne, Northeastern, and Yale (all perennial powerhouses...)

The boys from Chestnut Hill deserve to spend the holiday recognized as one of the premier teams in the nation, and this weekend will provide the national exposure necessary to win the hearts of pollers.

The Jayhawk is a mythical fusion of a blue jay and a sparrow hawk. The pure-bred Eagles are known for their keen eyesight, enabling them to spot potential prey from far away. Jared and Company's eyes have been fixated on the Jayhawks since last weekend, and BC is prepared to give new meaning to the Pre-Civil War term, "Bleeding Kansas."

In a game that could be as violent pre-Civil War events that inspired the Jayhaw

The Formidable Foe

2006-12-19T18:03:00.000-08:00

The Kansas Jayhawks entered the season with high expectations, ranked third in both the AP and ESPN/Coaches Polls. This is rare for a team that has not won an NCAA Tournament game in two years (Bucknell Bison, Bradley Braves). This history of being defeated by weaker opposition has continued into the 2006-07 season, in which Kansas dropped the ball against Oral Roberts and Depaul.

The Jayhawks are definitely beatable, but their preseason ranking was not a gross oversight. Kansas is loaded with talent, and will likely make a run at the National Championship under Bill Self.

The Jayhawks have no seniors on the roster, and their inexperience as cost them early-on. Boston College understands the importance of senior leadership, as Sean Marshall and Jared Dudley have successfully dug the Eagles out of an early hole.

Last year's fab freshmen are now sophomores. Wingman Brandon Rush, guard Mario Chalmers and point forward Julian Wright each are instrumental to the Jayhawk's success. In addition, Kansas' roster features some of the best freshman talent in the country. Darrell Arthur leads the team in scoring with nearly 14 a game in under 22 minutes.

Two areas where Kansas struggled a year ago were turnovers and free-throw shooting. Out of 326 Division I teams, the Jayhawks ranked 228th in turnovers (15.6) and 226th in free-throw shooting (67.2 percent). The team was focused on improving these numbers this year, but little progress has been made thus far. They average 14.9 turnovers a game and a free-throw percentage stuck at 67.2%.

The Jayhawks led the nation in field-goal percentage defense last season, and that tradition has translated into an opponent's shooting percentage of 37.7% this year. That's a scary notion for the Eagles.

This Saturday, it is very important for the Eagles to get out to a fast start.  The
Jayhawks have been tremendous in the first half, outscoring their opponents 389-255.
Both of the Eagle's losses resulted from slow starts, in which they could not battle
back.  Hopefully, this Saturday will be a different story. Look for the Eagles to
embrace the opportunity to play in front of a national audience.  Showtime
Sean Marshall loves the limelight....  There is some serious ESPN Top Ten potential.

Jags Is Coming Back To The Heights

2006-12-19T09:24:00.000-08:00

Big news became public knowledge yesterday, as the BC Coaching Vacancy was filled by the man known as "Jags". As always, ATL Eagle, Alex F., and others are following the story with remarkable insight and interesting opinions (ATL EAGLE, For Here Men Are Men, and the Boston Globe).

The Eagles' BBall team continues to fly under the radar after shooting a scorching 80% in the first 20 minutes, setting a record for the most points set in the first half (60), and reaching triple digits for the first time since defeating St. Bonaventure on December 4, 2002.

BC takes on the dangerous Jayhawks on Saturday (AP #11, ESPN #12) with hopes of jumping into the Top 25. I will be travelling today, but will start to frantically discuss this game tomorrow...

Let as all warmly welcome Jeff Jags back into the BC Family.

Blender Guys

2006-12-17T10:23:00.000-08:00

Andy Katz has logged many hours following the Eagles in the past few years, and he recently pushed the pen to the paper about Pittsburgh's Levon Kendall. He pegged Kendall as a "blender"-a player who can make a significant difference in a team's season. Katz also sent shivers down my spine by introducing John Oates into the mix:

John Oates, 6-10, Jr., C, Boston College: He takes charges, hits an occasional 3-pointer, makes the entry passes to Jared Dudley and is there for a screen for Tyrese Rice or Sean Marshall. BC coach Al Skinner said if Oates does those types of things, the Eagles have a chance. He doesn't star like shot-blocker Sean Williams, but he can be just as important to making the Eagles fly.

While John does contribute the occasional charge, three-point, and entry pass, Mr. Oates needs to spend some serious alone time looking into the mirror. A bathroom mirror will not suffice, as John needs to examine more than just his burly looks and his unbearable ink job. He needs to walk into one of his female friend's dorm rooms to find a full-size body mirror. This experience will lead to a very critical realization: When John can still only see a portion of his body, he will understand that company's don't manufacture "body-mirrors" with a massive seven-foot, one inch frame in mind.

John's stature is an anomaly- it is a gift. Can you imagine what Jared Dudley could do on a hypothetical Freaky-Friday when he and John switched bodies...?

For every three-pointer that John hits, four offensive rebounds are surrendered as John dances around the arc. For every charge that John takes, an opportunity to turn his body around, press his rear into the opposition, and box a man out is lost. For every entry pass that John makes to Jared, the potential for someone to feed John in the post goes down the drain.

Boston College has a history of the 7-foot point guards and the institution has never recruited Dirk Nowitzki. Canada's Nate Doorenkamp started the trend, and Mr. Oates was the only one with big enough feet to follow in his footsteps.

Don't get me wrong- Oates has an incredible touch for a big man. His ability to stretch the defense with his range is critical to the success of the FLEX offense. However, if John doesn't stop shying away from contact inside, opposing teams will start to assign their shooting guards to our big man... and they will still probably out-rebound him.

Katz is right- John can change the direction of this season with his strong play. In addition to all the three-pointers, charges, and entry-passes, I challenge John to hit the boards. His technical foul following his dunk in the Maryland game is the most fire I have seen from the Junior, and I was thrilled. Keep the emotion, keep playing hard, and you, Mr. Oates, will do just as Andy Katz predicts- make the Eagles fly.

In response to the comment on my last post, Kansas is undoubtedly a statement game in which the team can silence skeptics. However, I want to defer any comments/predictions until after the Sacred Heart game (for an explanation of my logic, please refer to the Vermont and Providence results).

This Week's Rankings

2006-12-13T12:51:00.000-08:00

Thank you all for your comments- I really appreciate all the feedback.

I would like to respond to one question I received regarding the Week 6 college basketball rankings. After big victories at home against Michigan State and Maryland, most Eagle fans expected to jump into the Top 25. At the very least, there was an expectation that we would leapfrog the victims.

Much to my own displeasure, neither of these expectations were fulfilled.

In the ESPN/USA Today poll, Michigan State was ranked 23 with 74 votes and Maryland dropped out of the group with 50 votes. Intuition would suggest BC must be ranked in the Top 20. After receiving only 5 votes, however, the Eagles remain on the outside looking in.

A similar story in the AP Poll, where BC's 30 votes were outdone by MSU and Maryland's 52 and 40, respectively.

Rankings don't always make sense, which explains why college football will not have a decisive victor in the foreseeable future and why Boston College is still only considered a "New Ivy" (Newsweek). If the pollsters had the vision that I have, things would be different.

In the meantime, we can try to justify their logic:

Michigan State does have an impressive win over Texas on its resume, along with a decisive victory over the northeastern powerhouse, Vermont (who came into our house and swallowed our pride without chewing). Their only other loss was the doing of a very competent Maryland team on the road.

Maryland fell short against Notre Dame, but did take down the aforementioned Spartans and Catamounts.

As for Boston College- we have two embarrassing losses and two solid victories. Critics would contend that our victories came at home, which plays a very important role in college hoops. I would argue that many of our fans are immune from the ACC fever, and playing at home is more embarrassing for our boys than inspiring.

In any case, the season is very young, and our early missteps have caused the Eagles to re-evaluate their priorities and goals for the season. At this point, the team will benefit from flying under the radar, and Boston College will continue to progress. Hopefully, we won't need to have this conversation in March, when we are poised to make a run.

Life is good in Eagle Country, and a new football coach is about to come watch over the nest...

Zebra Poaching

2006-12-11T03:45:00.000-08:00

Don't get me wrong... I love animals. But after last night's officiating display inside the walls of Conte, I can understand why zebras are an endangered species. 8,500 BC faithful were ready and willing to storm the floor, directing their fists at their favorite whistle-blower.

Mis-calls. No-calls. A genuine misunderstanding of how the game should be governed. To be honest, by the end of the game, I would emphatically disagree if the referee announced there were seven continents... it was that bad. I cannot place the blame squarely on the shoulders of the officials, however. Gary Williams was barking at in the refs ears since the opening minute, when leading-scorer DJ Strawberry picked up two fouls in 44 seconds. Here's to Jared Dudley, and the basketball IQ that has Mensa drooling.

In the closing minutes of the game, as the shot clock wound down, Jared stepped back beyond the arc, got his defender into the air and drew a critical foul at a time when BC was struggling to get the ball in the hoop. After the whistle for the foul sounded, Jared immediately pointed to his head, referencing his presence of mind at the game's critical juncture.

With his performance, Jared entered the top-ten on BC's all time scoring list (1,654 points), passing Michael Adams.

Boston College held Maryland to a whopping 24-62 (.387) from the field, due largely to "Big Time" Sean Williams in the paint. Rather than shooting, it seemed as if Maryland players volleyball teammates, setting Sean up for the kill. Williams would effortlessly leap into the air, dodging the rafters of Conte while swatting shots with the frequency of an ultrasound. It was remarkable.

As well as the team performed yesterday on the court, there are a few noteworthy concerns. First and foremost, we need to be more proficient in breaking the press. Turnovers plagued us in the back court, and our entry passes into the post were lazy. Given the emotion that BC brought to the floor last night, it is hard to find fault with the performance.

The "fans," however," are in desperate need of some tough love. As the final few minutes began to tick away, yellow shirts began heading to the door. Excuse my language, but that is bullshit. As hard as our boys played on the court, they deserve your support until the final buzzer sounds.

People often justify their early exit by traffic, etc. Would that be a concern if it was a one point game. I didn't think so. What do you gain by leaving 25 seconds early, when TV timeouts give our cheerleaders a chance to embarrass themselves for multiple 3-minute songs.

You wonder why we had trouble shooting free throws in the last minute. The players were distracted by their supporting cast abandoning them on the floor. I could go on, but I will leave you with this:

The Boston College Eagles proved last night that they can compete with the best of the ACC. Moving forward, I challenge you all to be at each game by tip-off, and to remain in place until the very end. Support our team when we win, and when we lose. In addition to being great athletes, these players are kids too, deserving of your support in good times and bad. Stop being so damn selfish, and be a real fan.

Sacred Heart next...

2006-12-09T19:30:00.000-08:00

When the sun sets tomorrow over The Heights, the lights in Conte Forum will be flicked on to highlight one of the nation's top match-ups. The Terrapins of Maryland come to town to battle our Boston College Eagles. After a disappointing loss to Notre Dame in the BB&T Classic, the Terps rebounded against Fordham on Wednesday. DJ Strawberry & Company will hope to keep the momentum going in Chestnut Hill.

The Junkyard Dog, averaging nearly 20 and 10, has been trained to keep trespassers out. Jared will continue his All-American campaign for the Eagles, leading the team that is rebounding like Pamela Anderson after shedding herself of Tommy Lee.

Gary Williams will be the second coach with a national championship on his resume to come to Conte this season. Tom Izzo was the first, and he left without adding to his mounain of career victories.

Tomorrow's game should be filled with emotion, as students take a break from their studies to watch the first game of the highly anticipated ACC schedule. The Terrapins feature 5 regulars that shoot over 40% from three point land. That is critical, because if they take the ball into the paint, Sean Williams will reject them with a frequency akin to the ball-busters working the door at Mary-Ann's.

The schizophrenic Eagles make it difficult to decisively make a prediction on the game. Based on our 14-point flop to Vermont, and Maryland's 18-point triumph, the transitive property of basketball is not favorable. However, this model must be discounted since the Terps only squeaked by Izzo's Spartans by 2.

It will be interesting to see how the game plays out, but my crystal ball suggests that I can sleep easy tonight.

Prediction:

Boston College 67
Maryland 61

back on tr-ACC

2006-12-08T12:54:00.000-08:00

Most Boston College Alumni, Students, and Friends are focused on the alleged coaching vacancy at The Heights. With Tom O'Brien out the door, a huge opportunity exists for the program to make a big hire that is positive for the future of the program. Do not fret- GDF will undoubtedly bring in someone who will bring our beloved program to the next level. While there are many things in life you should question, Gene should be toward the bottom of your list. He has the support of Father Leahy, and the resources to bring the BC program to glory.

What cannot be overshadowed is a very uplifting reality... It is college basketball season, and the season is the most highly anticipated in history.

Boston College tips-off its conference schedule at 6:30 on Sunday night, when the Eagles play host to the Terrapins of Maryland. After a rocky start, with unforeseen losses to Vermont and Providence, the refocused Eagles look prepared to successfully replicate a brilliant inaugural season in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The highly touted programs down on Tobacco Road have received the majority of the press this season, with North Carolina being an early favorite to take the national championship. A ripe class of McDonald's All-Americans join incumbent Tyler Hansborough (a projected mid-first rounder) to help the Tar Heels bring the hardware back to Chapel Hill. But, the ACC-Big Ten Challenge proved that the conference is full of talent, and the Heels road to victory is far from paved.

The Eagles' early struggles were marked by inconsistency, lethargy, and poor decision making. The group is led by seniors Jared Dudley and Sean Marshall, who have more court experience than the late Johnie Cochran. Each has been a member of the starting five since arriving to Conte in 2003.

Jared and Sean each bring a lot of passion to the game, and their emotion shows through in very unique ways. While Jared has earned his "Junkyard Dog" nickname by tirelessly scrounging for loose balls and hitting the offensive glass, Sean is the self-proclaimed "King of the Court" (see tattoo) who actively seeks ESPN Top Ten opportunities. Routine layups bring the chance for Sean to showcase his dunking ability, and each successful attempt is followed with a few minutes of self-advocacy.

Sean returned to the court this year with more accessories than Claires, and a hairstyle that had Indians trying to rid themselves of their Mohawk heritage. It was not the most elegant of "dews," and the team's early performance was equally repulsive.

"Sloppy" is the perfect adjective to describe the Eagles' early performance. Preseason All-ACC Sean Williams and returning letter-man Akida McLean were kept out of action for disciplinary reasons. Akida rocked his full sweatsuit, which appeared as impressive as the full leather and chains I wore to my Goldman Sachs interview. Akida, I didn't get the job...

With Akida on the bench, Tyrese Rice capitalized on the chance to wear his shorts. Our flashy point guard was handicapped as ran down the floor struggling to keep his clothes on. Honestly, I thought it was a Subway commercial (Tyrese lost 14 inches from his waist in just ten weeks...)

The sloppy appearance seamlessly translated into performance. We dug ourselves into deep holes early on in games, plagued by lack of hustle and lazy passing. Battling back was unrealistic at this point, as teams recognized that sending us to the free throw line was equivalent to forcing a turnover.

Poor game management augmented the problems. Down by 12 with less than two minutes left in the Vermont game, we were whistled for a 35-second violation! Are you kidding! Luckily, are early misfortunes taught the team that last year's success cannot be taken for granted.

After losing to Providence at the forefront of Boston College's worst sports weekend in memory, Co-captain Sean Marshall showcased his leadership skills. He wrote individual letters to his teammates, specifying how they could improve and add value to the team. Additionally, Marshall pulled out the clippers and freed himself of the hideous haircut. The team's indifference left with Sean's mohawk, and the refocused Eagles have looked sharp ever since.

Wins over UNH, UMass, Michigan State, and Fairfield have brought hope to Conte Crazies everywhere. UMass has its strongest team since Marcus Camby brought his antics to the NBA, and perennial powerhouse Michigan State can never be overlooked. Sean Williams is back on the floor, reinvigorating the Eagles with his inhuman athleticism. He has hops that keep Jim Koch up at night.

Maryland travels to Chestnut Hill on Sunday, and this is a great test for the Eagles. We are still searching for an identity, but recent flashes of brilliance are cause for optimism. If the Eagles come to play, the Terrapins will be forced to retreat into their shell.