Hey Eagle Nation,
It has been a while since my most recent post and for that I apologize. I spent a wild weekend in Savannah, GA for St. Patrick's Day and my Bachelor Party, which precluded any chance to hop on and offer an update on the manifold BC happenings and excitements last weekend.

First, BC's battle versus Pacific:
This game was played during the nascent hours of my trip so to me, the outcome felt sure to unleash my full, unbridled joy or my plodding, hidden disappoitnment for some part of the trip. However, just as Sean Williams soared from just inside the foul line to the rim for a thunderous two-handed stuff, my heart truly soared with happiness that Craig and Louis would be playing at least one more time. In the first overtime, my mantra was just win this possession, and timely threes and the two most clutch free throws of Craig Smith's life clearly manifested that sometimes that picayune mantra can work. The game was a blur from the point where BC was leading by 13 to down by 7 to up by 12. I'm so glad BC won. That sums up that whole game for me.

In their second round game against Montana, the first half was again a frustrating stretch of opportunities to pull ahead and moments when BC's execution was poor. However, with the way BC played in the second half, it is clear that BC was the better team and wanted to get the job done. Good job, Eagles.

For tonight's game against Villanova, BC needs to call upon the intensity, performance and poise they displayed during so much of the ACC tournament. BC needs to carry over the efficient three point shooting that was so evident in the second half of the Montana game. BC needs to rebound well, especially by earning extra chances to score on offensive boards. BC needs to play a step quicker on defense to stymie Allan Ray, Kyle Lowry and Randy Foye and control their penetration. BC needs to shadow Mike Nardi closely, as he is capable of hurting BC from three like Redick did twice this season.

Sean Williams and Craig Smith must clog the lane to make penetration very difficult for Villanova's guards, while BC's perimeter defense must stay at home so that kick outs don't become wide open looks. This sort of defense can help keep this game closer to BC's tempo. Both teams are very efficient offensively, and BC must maintain that production. BC's defense is the key, and it must match the strong, turnover producing defensive efficiency shown all year by Villanova. And so, we are left with a new mantra for the Eagles, win tonight, play like the Final Four is not even a speck in the imagination, play to the high level you are capable of, be impressive and assertive and effective. WIN. Let's Go Eagles.

Many hours, in fact days after my most recently promised entry, I am ready with some thoughts on BC, the brackets, how I don't usually believe the Billy Packer hate but found him and Nantz insufferable during the selection show interview with Craig Littlepage, and how March is just plain a great time of year.

I was disappointed doubly to see BC passed over as a 3 seed and sent to Salt Lake City, Utah for their first round game. In 2004, they were sent out to a high elevation western site as well, but performed well enough to nearly defeat national runner up Georgia Tech. This team is clearly battle-tested and intent on making noise in this tournament. The disappointment this team felt at losing such a hard fought game to Duke on Sunday was so clearly etched on all of their faces and made me feel even more pumped and eager to see them back on the floor. I was a bit alarmed when I first saw Pacific as their opponent, but the stats show that this Pacific team is not nearly as dangerous as the previous one. In terms of tempo, this game will be played at about a 61 possession pace, which is closer to where BC plays than Pacific. BC's defensive numbers do not appear stellar after the games against Duke and UNC but those are excellent offensive teams, formidable and dangerous, very higly ranked teams. BC will be able to dictate tempo and get good shots almost every time down. Smith and Dudley should have standout games. I also believe BC should fare well against Nevada if things proceed as I expect. That will leave BC to most likely face Villanova in the Sweet 16, a matchup I would love to see, even if it would present a major challenge.

So my final four is Duke, Gonzaga, UConn and Boston College, with Duke beating UConn for the National Title, thereby giving everyone's most hated coach (Coach K) a fourth ring while deflating the bluster of my most hated coach (yes, I dislike Jim Calhoun's antics quite a bit). My major upset picks are Winthrop over Tennessee, George Mason over Michigan State, Georgetown over Ohio St, San Diego St over Indiana, Cal over Texas and Texas A&M over Syracuse (if that is even an upset). I cannot wait for the games to start and for me to be reveling in Savannah, washing the games down with beer and good times in 75 degree beautiful Southern weather. (my biggest complaint about the brackets are BC's failure to get a 3 seed having beat UNC twice and Syracuse soaring to a 5 seed, although these things tend to level off anyways).

I thought Jim Nantz especially and Billy Packer were unduly harsh and scoffing at the work by Craig Littlepage and his committee. I do agree with the consensus that Cincinatti should have been in, probably over Air Force, but I also believe Hofstra should have been in over Utah State. If the CAA had been given three bids, I think Nantz would have spontaneously combusted on the stop, which, well, then who is going to do all the sappy lead ins to Masters ads for the next three weeks. Let's just thank the bracket gods we did not have to brook that disaster. The last at large teams that make it are essentially marginally qualified teams being chosen over similarly marginal teams that did not do quite enough. Without the committee's reasoning in front of me, it is hard to speculate, but I'm guessing that Utah State and Air Force put up what the committee saw as excellent overall records, performed well in league play (Both Air Force in the MWC regular and Utah State in the WAC posted strong second place regular season finishes) and deserved bids. Florida State's schedule was laughable, Cincinatti finished quite poorly, and I imagine it was close to a toss up between Hofstra, Creighton and Missouri State versus the two that made it. Although relevant to the process, it was also a little justice to see Utah State get an at large bid a couple of years after being absolutely robbed of one. So I believe Mr. Littlepage's committee did an overall good job, for which Packer and Nantz could have been constructively critical or curious, but for which they both should have commended him.

So the games start for real on Thursday around 12:20 Eastern and for me the real height of excitement kicks off with BC's early tilt against Pacific. I love completing my bracket. I use the same green pen every year to enter my picks and the same blue pen to note all correct and incorrect picks (I know, I know a little neurotic but what can you do). And I relish this weekend of wall to wall basketball, with upsets and nailbiters and last second shots, even with complete blowouts, it cannot be beat for sports watching fun. Let's Go Eagles.

Hey All,
More to come on today's happenings once BC's seed and matchup are announced. My anticipation level is wicked high. I love this day. So in lieu of a post for the next few hours, here's a movie recommendation. Run, don't walk, to the movie theater to see Dave Chappelle's Block Party, the funniest movie I have seen in quite a while. Just an awesome, music-filled movie experience.
Que!

Hello readers (at this point, numbering my fiancee and myself),

Last night, BC won one of the most exciting, intense, physical games they have played in many years. BC defeated their formidable and highly rated opponent, the UNC Tarheels, by taking over the game from about the 2 minute mark of the first half through about the five minute mark of the second half and then holding on for dear life in the final 30 seconds. UNC swaggered as if they owned the building for most of the first half, with Wes Miller making 3 from exceedingly improbable distances. David Noel and Reyshawn Terry also were putting the pressure on and Tyler Hansborough was clawing to score points amid what often seemed like quadruple team coverage. BC's mental fortitude and desire were evident in how they swept away a 25-19 deficit smoothly and quickly and from there never let UNC move out of their sight. What a game. Even someone without a rooting interest in that game would have no choice but to be riveted by it. But for a BC fan and alum, hoping that my team could climb the mountain, prove their worthiness in the ACC tournament and stun what was basically the home team, this was a defining moment as a sports fan, the kind of win that I will savor and relish because of how impressive it was.

Now, BC moves on to face Duke, in what all scions of BC hoops hope will be an even more gratifying and invigorating win. BC can become ACC tournament champion in their first appearance in this revered, legendary tournament filled with stories of David Thompson, Michael Jordan and Christian Laettner and so many others. BC needs to play as confidently, efficiently and single-mindedly as they did yesterday, undeterred by the seeming road court disadvantage they clearly face. Craig Smith is playing like a first team All American in this tournament, with a near triple double on Friday and a tour de force, commanding 23 points, 15 board performance against UNC. He needs to play superb, physical basketball again today. John Oates and Sean Williams have to help him by working to stymie McRoberts and Williams as they did so well with Hansborough yesterday. This is going to be exciting. In their first meeting, BC had poise early, played erratic and sloppy in the middle of the game and fiercely came back to have a chance in the end. It was a fun yet frustrating game. Today, BC needs to continue to make the sound shot selections they have been making the last two days. The Eagles need to make the open three, find the cutters when Smith gets doubled, take advantage of offensive rebounding opportunities and shoot free throws well, which has been an elusive goal for them this year. And that is just on offense. On defense, BC needs to thwart J.J. Redick and the penetration of Paulus, they need to keep an eye on McRoberts and keep Shelden Williams out of good position. They need to dominate the defensive boards. They need to play well today, play the game they are clearly capable of. Today promises to be fun and enthralling, a day of potential, of brilliant memories and a springboard for NCAA tournament success for the Boston College Eagles. I cannot wait. Let's Go Eagles.

Well, in my first post here, I hoped that BC would avoid their usual slow starts in their opening game of the ACC tourney against Maryland. BC executed early with evident confidence and aplomb; it was a pleasure to watch as BC built leads of 17-2, 25-4 and finally at the half 41-22. That 19 point halftime gap did not adequately describe how dominant BC had been in the first half. Maryland's first possession seemed sure to yield them a basket as they had at least three chances to score. From there, though, BC thoroughly took over the action, hitting multiple 3's, a couple of those contested (and it was nice to see John Oates contribute one), feeding Craig Smith, moving the ball smartly to the open man for good shots and rebounding Maryland misses. With each of Maryland's stop the bleeding timeouts, one could sense how completely BC had deflated its opponent. A great performance.

Today, BC takes on a North Carolina team that executes so much better than the UNC team that BC defeated in Chapel Hill in January. BC faces a major challenge. I'm sure the citizens and denizens of North Carolina have supreme confidence about their Tarheels in this game, as they see Duke and UNC pointed towards another potentially classic final. However, BC showed a sync and determination last night that belies any thoughts of this game being a blowout loss for the Eagles. This team looks more prepared to win multiple games in the NCAA tournament than any of the last four BC teams (I thought the 2001 team was poised to shock the basketball world until I was shocked by USC, but that's another story). Tyler Hansborough will create matchup problems for the Eagles, as he did in the first game between these two. Both he and Reyshawn Terry are efficient and deadly. BC has those kinds of players too. Craig Smith played one of the best games of his career last night, but it was not some out of character explosion. It was a fusion of all the things he does well into one package. Jared Dudley seems to be shooting confidently and was hustling beautifully as usual. Williams needs to stay out of foul trouble against Hansborough, because he is quick and long enough to create problems for the UNC star. And Rice needs to come through with the type of white hot game he had in Wake Forest this season. The formula is for BC to play its game and play it well. If they do that, BC has a very real chance of winning this game and of winning their first ACC tourney. Let's take care of today first, Eagles, for that will be glory enough for one day. Let's Go Eagles.

BC's inaugural ACC tourney

Hello to anyone who stumbles into this space,

I have intended to create a blog all year that would focus on the first year for Boston College's men’s basketball team in the Atlantic Coast Conference. This has played out as a pivotal year in BC's history, as a four year star in Craig Smith prepares to move on, Sean Williams returns from suspension, Tyrese Rice appears on the scene and Jared Dudley excels in preparation for taking over as the leader and #1 star next season. For some reason, all of this has goaded me to want to write something, and so this blog. There is already a blog that I read a lot that does a great job analyzing the goings on associated with BC at atleagle.blogspot.com, but in this vast cyberspace world, there is hopefully room for another.

BC faces the winner of the game tonight between Maryland and Georgia Tech tomorrow in its first appearance ever in the hallowed ACC tournament. I really hope their performance is better than the results of BC's last two Big East tournaments, and I think there is reason for optimism despite BC’s 1-2 record against these teams. After the disturbing loss at Virginia two Tuesday's ago, BC has won two tough, ugly games that showed BC's fortitude and also demonstrated why BC is mired so low in Ken Pomeroy's tempo/pace rankings every year.

BC has produced tantalizing and exciting seasons that have ended in a disappointing way lately. In 2003, BC won their division in the Big East but couldn't overcome a late season home blowout to UConn and an underwhelming Big East Semifinal loss to Pitt. They missed the tournament. In 2004, BC worked hard to earn a six seed in the NCAAs and oh so nearly beat the eventual runner up Georgia Tech. In 2005, BC fell in the Round of 32 to upstart Wisconsin Milwaukee in an infuriating game that BC controlled early, fell far behind and expended all their energy just to get close but never ahead at the end of the game. This year's team has good reason to hope for successful runs in the ACC and NCAA tournaments. With Tyrese Rice, the ball handling and outside shooting have improved. Sean Williams's defense is becoming nearly dominant. Most importantly, Craig Smith and Jared Dudley have to be thirsty for glory, their comments making it clear that at least a sweet sixteen appearance is required. To get it started, it appears that Maryland will win their opening game tonight and face BC tomorrow sometime around 9:30. Here's hoping BC avoids their trademark slow start, locks down Caner-Medley and the inefficient Strawberry and Ibekwe, and blows Maryland out on the way to the Semis. There, it could be a rematch with the blazing hot UNC Tarheels, whom BC beat earlier this year in Chapel Hill.

BC's radio play-by-play announcer Ted Sarandis is wont to exhort listeners to get excited and devote themselves to College Basketball. It can be a bit exaggerated. However, it truly is exhilarating to follow this sport, to root for underdogs, to conjure more and more hope and enthusiasm for the alma mater. And here in March, that exhiliration and joy that comes from watching my team, BC, and even the championship game from a one bid conference is intoxicating and wonderful, the essence of why following sports and investing oneself in fandom can truly be worth it. So that is why I am writing this blog, because I love College Basketball, BC, (and on a separate matter, I love my wife to be the most) and March. Let’s go Eagles.