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.