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.