Jeff: I attended all of the ACC tournament games Friday, Saturday and Sunday for my second year in a row. I must say, for those of you who haven't been, please look at the list of upcoming sites and try to make a point of attending one year if possible. I liked the tournament being in Atlanta because more people were able to get into the building with average attendance around 26,000 per session compared to less than 20,000 per last year. Also, there was much more to do in Atlanta aside from watching basketball. Reservations were honored at restaurants unlike in Charlotte last year and even if you didn't have a reservation, there were plenty of dining options that required minimal waiting. Last, but not least, finding accommodations close to the games was no problem despite there being an auto show going on and a Hawks game on Sunday.
But on to BC basketball. The loss to Duke on Saturday night hurt a lot because we had a sizable lead at the half and had the lead again in the last minute and obviously, had the final shot to win the game. The refs did not help our cause but they were consistently biased towards North Carolina and Duke throughout the tournament so if you are any of the other ten teams you need to just know what is coming and consider it a road game and don't expect to get any calls. What did surprise me though was that the biggest reaction to a non-call the entire weekend was after what looked like a traveling violation in the lane by Henderson in the second half. All the non-Duke fans erupted immediately unlike any reactions to the numerous questionable calls you would naturally have during the course of the 11 tournament games. I know things often look different on television than in person so maybe it didn't look bad at all on TV but in the stadium it was terrible.
Then finally onto our last possession. I liked the fact that Skinner used the timeouts and had an inbounds opportunity on our side of midcourt with 5.5 seconds left. We often criticize him for not using timeouts so I think we have to applaud him here. Watching it live, it felt like Sanders then had the ball for several minutes and moved nowhere before hoisting the long 3. This clearly was not exactly what Skinner had drawn up but I don't think we can blame Sanders either given the fact that he did take his time, get set, and nearly made the shot. In hindsight, a victory could've easily resulted in a BC ACCT Championship, but now all we can say is what if.
On Saturday morning I attended the ACC Legends luncheon where Danya Abrams represented BC and got a nice reaction from the crowd when he said that Al Skinner is doing a great job but needs to work on some inbounds plays.
For those of you who were there and might have seen the 2008 tournament highlights playing before the games, during University Day, or at the Legends luncheon, my wife was the one shown purchasing a tiger paw between games in Charlotte. (her new claim to fame)
Mrs. Jeff and I both liked the Georgia Dome a lot and hope to be back there to see BC play in the Chic-Fil-A bowl before the ACCT in 2012.
Showing posts with label acc tournament edition. Show all posts
Showing posts with label acc tournament edition. Show all posts
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
BC vs. Virginia Post Mortem, Duke and the Big Finish
Brian: I am flying solo today for this segment as Jeff is already headed off to Atlanta to catch the day's ACC Tournament quarterfinal action. So you are stuck with just me.
I was unable to watch the game last night (stupid ESPN programming), although I did catch the epic 6 OT game between Syracuse and Connecticut on the plane last night! Which, from everything that I read about the BC game (Herald, Globe, News & Observer and BCEagles.com) I guess if I was going to miss an Eagles game in favor of a game like Syracuse vs. Connecticut, it could have been worse, right? The Eagles seemed to cruise last night, leading by about 10 points most of the way.
Sounds like Southern played very well last night. However, I wouldn't expect the same sort of performance - 13 points, 9 rebounds - against Duke forwards Kyle Singler, Lance Thomas and Gerald Henderson. Although not sure we need Southern to play as well as he did last night to win this game. Remember, Southern threw up the goose egg in the box score the first time the Eagles faced Duke this season.
Tyrese Rice with another zero in the box score in the first half. Off nights from our two leading scorers - Rice and Trapani - just can't happen again tonight if we have any hope of winning.
Lots of focus on attendance for this year's ACC men's tournament. The New York Times, the News & Observer, and commissioner John Swofford all weigh in on the issue. Funny how everyone is quick to blame Boston College for the football ACC Championship Game attendance woes, yet when the conference's premiere basketball tournament takes a nose dive a la selling out the place, the excuse is "big building, down economy." Can't that excuse also conveniently explain this year's ACCCG attendance issues? I mean, the economy hasn't worsened THAT much from December to March, has it? And Jacksonville and Tampa have larger stadiums than every other ACC stadium except for Doak, Death Valley and the cavernous Dolphins Stadium.
The reported draw for the opening round of games was 26,352. Not a bad day's take, even though from the sound of it, only a fraction of that crowd was left when BC and Virginia tipped off.
I also don't get the commissioner lamenting over the fact that the game isn't in Greensboro or Charlotte where it could have been a sellout. The Georgia Dome can seat more fans for basketball than the Greensboro Coliseum or the Time Warner Cable Arena f.k.a. Charlotte Bobcats Arena can, and at the end of the day, it's all about the revenue - and not the fact that it is a sellout - for the conference. Look no further than the cost of the tournament ticket book: $396. If the primary goal was to sell out the place and have a great atmosphere, wouldn't you simply lower the ticket price to do so? $396 is pretty steep in my opinion. Simple supply and demand, commissioner.
I also found this Clemson zinger in Bob Ryan's latest column on BC hoops pretty funny. (Much to the behest of Mrs. Jeff). Ryan explains how Boston College has had great success already in the ACC Tournament, winning their first game in each of their first four ACC tournaments, while Clemson's record in their first game of the tournament is a paltry 6-52.
We turn our attention to the Duke Blue Devils, the Eagles quarterfinals opponent. The game is at 9pm on ESPN2. Since the Eagles last saw the Blue Devils, Coach K switched up their lineup, benching everyone's favorite Dukie Greg Paulus, moving Jon Scheyer to point and playing freshman guard Eliot Williams at the 2. Since Coach K made the change, Duke is 5-1, including impressive wins over Wake Forest and Florida State. Duke guard Nolan Smith is listed as "probable" to play today.
Something tells me Duke and Coach K will come out guns blazing tonight. This is a hungry Duke team playing for a strong NCAA tournament seed (maybe a 2?). Having lost to UNC twice in the regular season, they can see a potentially vulnerable, Lawson-less North Carolina team in their sights. Also, I don't think the Eagles can rely on the Blue Devils shooting 3 of 16 (18.8%) from 3 point range tonight. While I remain optimistic that the Eagles will hang tonight and can possibly pull off the upset, it will be a much tougher billing than knocking off Duke back on February 15.
Honestly though, in the ACC Tournament, when it is all said and done, we always know it comes down to Duke and North Carolina right? Of course it's UNC and Duke. It's always UNC and Duke ... /sarcasm
"Extra" Big Finish, ACC Tournament style
Jefff: Ron Green Jr. takes a look at this weekend's ACC Tournament from an American Idol perspective. Paula and Simon comment on Boston College's hoops season, but what would Randy say about the Eagles?
Brian: "So check it out dawg! Check this OUT! You had some nice moments this season but at times you were a little pitchy. A few pitch problems in there for me but it was OK. At the beginning of the competition, I didn't think much of your chances, but yo! You made it your own season, and at times, ... it was kinda HOT, yo."
Brian: Robert Morris is dancing, remember them? First time since 1992 too. Does this at all soften the blow of losing to the Colonials 57-51 last year?
Jeff: Last year's loss was fairly painful and still is in my recent memory. So, umm, no.
Jeff: Bowling Green, facing a university-wide budget shortfall of up to $10 million (three quarters of a million being due to the athletics budget) may cut its D-I men's hockey program as a cost-cutting measure. Your thoughts?
Brian: This would be terrible for the sport. A lot of programs and a few conferences have folded up shop over the past couple of years, but this would be the most accomplished program to fold in a very long time. As you know, Jerry York won the school's only National Championship back in 1984, and it would be pretty embarrassing if a program that won a National Championship was shut down. More bad news for Bowling Green is that the school's president shut down the Kent State men's hockey program in 1994 so the move would hardly be unprecedented. My only question would be are there any other athletic departments that will be forced to make a similar move in this economy?
Brian: Want to watch the NCAA tournament without your boss or company being none the wiser? There's an iPhone app for that. Jeff, you impressed?
Jeff: That is fantastic.
Jeff: It looks like for the second time in three years, the MAC is wreaking football scheduling havoc over a BCS conference team. This year, it is Miami (Ohio), who can't honor their 2009 September 12 home date against Colorado. Brian, your thoughts?
Brian: The solution is simple. You know I have been bitching about BC beefing up their non-conference schedule. September 12 we play Kent State at home. Drop the MAC team Kent State in favor of hosting the Buffaloes at Alumni this year. This beefs up (pun intended) our out of conference sched - Colorado should be better than they have been the last few years - and gives the MAC a little dose of their own medicine.
Brian: Yesterday I predicted a BC win tonight over New Hampshire. Are you as confident in the Eagles going into the Hockey East quarterfinals tonight?
Jeff: Absolutely. They'll win the series against New Hampshire and it starts tonight with a W.
Jeff: Last one, the BC baseball team (10-3, 2-1 ACC) is also in Atlanta this weekend, taking on the 6th ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (11-1, 3-0 ACC). Can the Eagles build on their success from last weekend's series win over Florida State?
Brian: My gut tells me that BC won't be able to take the series but I hope they can steal a game from Georgia Tech.
Huge weekend for BC sports. Leave any thoughts on the ACC Tournament, NCAA tournament selection process, Hockey East Tournament, baseball or Pro Day in the comments section below. Go Eagles!
I was unable to watch the game last night (stupid ESPN programming), although I did catch the epic 6 OT game between Syracuse and Connecticut on the plane last night! Which, from everything that I read about the BC game (Herald, Globe, News & Observer and BCEagles.com) I guess if I was going to miss an Eagles game in favor of a game like Syracuse vs. Connecticut, it could have been worse, right? The Eagles seemed to cruise last night, leading by about 10 points most of the way.
Sounds like Southern played very well last night. However, I wouldn't expect the same sort of performance - 13 points, 9 rebounds - against Duke forwards Kyle Singler, Lance Thomas and Gerald Henderson. Although not sure we need Southern to play as well as he did last night to win this game. Remember, Southern threw up the goose egg in the box score the first time the Eagles faced Duke this season.
Tyrese Rice with another zero in the box score in the first half. Off nights from our two leading scorers - Rice and Trapani - just can't happen again tonight if we have any hope of winning.
Lots of focus on attendance for this year's ACC men's tournament. The New York Times, the News & Observer, and commissioner John Swofford all weigh in on the issue. Funny how everyone is quick to blame Boston College for the football ACC Championship Game attendance woes, yet when the conference's premiere basketball tournament takes a nose dive a la selling out the place, the excuse is "big building, down economy." Can't that excuse also conveniently explain this year's ACCCG attendance issues? I mean, the economy hasn't worsened THAT much from December to March, has it? And Jacksonville and Tampa have larger stadiums than every other ACC stadium except for Doak, Death Valley and the cavernous Dolphins Stadium.
The reported draw for the opening round of games was 26,352. Not a bad day's take, even though from the sound of it, only a fraction of that crowd was left when BC and Virginia tipped off.
I also don't get the commissioner lamenting over the fact that the game isn't in Greensboro or Charlotte where it could have been a sellout. The Georgia Dome can seat more fans for basketball than the Greensboro Coliseum or the Time Warner Cable Arena f.k.a. Charlotte Bobcats Arena can, and at the end of the day, it's all about the revenue - and not the fact that it is a sellout - for the conference. Look no further than the cost of the tournament ticket book: $396. If the primary goal was to sell out the place and have a great atmosphere, wouldn't you simply lower the ticket price to do so? $396 is pretty steep in my opinion. Simple supply and demand, commissioner.
I also found this Clemson zinger in Bob Ryan's latest column on BC hoops pretty funny. (Much to the behest of Mrs. Jeff). Ryan explains how Boston College has had great success already in the ACC Tournament, winning their first game in each of their first four ACC tournaments, while Clemson's record in their first game of the tournament is a paltry 6-52.
As for the fallen Tigers, one well-seasoned ACC observer summed it up in a very succinct manner. "That's why they're Clemson," he pointed out.I'm actually pretty shocked that Georgia Tech pulled off the upset and it doesn't seem like the home court advantage had much to do with it. The Jackets will be a tough out for Florida State. While I am glad the Eagles drew Virginia last night instead of Georgia Tech, I would have much rather played FSU than Duke tonight.
We turn our attention to the Duke Blue Devils, the Eagles quarterfinals opponent. The game is at 9pm on ESPN2. Since the Eagles last saw the Blue Devils, Coach K switched up their lineup, benching everyone's favorite Dukie Greg Paulus, moving Jon Scheyer to point and playing freshman guard Eliot Williams at the 2. Since Coach K made the change, Duke is 5-1, including impressive wins over Wake Forest and Florida State. Duke guard Nolan Smith is listed as "probable" to play today.
Something tells me Duke and Coach K will come out guns blazing tonight. This is a hungry Duke team playing for a strong NCAA tournament seed (maybe a 2?). Having lost to UNC twice in the regular season, they can see a potentially vulnerable, Lawson-less North Carolina team in their sights. Also, I don't think the Eagles can rely on the Blue Devils shooting 3 of 16 (18.8%) from 3 point range tonight. While I remain optimistic that the Eagles will hang tonight and can possibly pull off the upset, it will be a much tougher billing than knocking off Duke back on February 15.
Honestly though, in the ACC Tournament, when it is all said and done, we always know it comes down to Duke and North Carolina right? Of course it's UNC and Duke. It's always UNC and Duke ... /sarcasm
"Extra" Big Finish, ACC Tournament style
Jefff: Ron Green Jr. takes a look at this weekend's ACC Tournament from an American Idol perspective. Paula and Simon comment on Boston College's hoops season, but what would Randy say about the Eagles?
Brian: "So check it out dawg! Check this OUT! You had some nice moments this season but at times you were a little pitchy. A few pitch problems in there for me but it was OK. At the beginning of the competition, I didn't think much of your chances, but yo! You made it your own season, and at times, ... it was kinda HOT, yo."
Brian: Robert Morris is dancing, remember them? First time since 1992 too. Does this at all soften the blow of losing to the Colonials 57-51 last year?
Jeff: Last year's loss was fairly painful and still is in my recent memory. So, umm, no.
Jeff: Bowling Green, facing a university-wide budget shortfall of up to $10 million (three quarters of a million being due to the athletics budget) may cut its D-I men's hockey program as a cost-cutting measure. Your thoughts?
Brian: This would be terrible for the sport. A lot of programs and a few conferences have folded up shop over the past couple of years, but this would be the most accomplished program to fold in a very long time. As you know, Jerry York won the school's only National Championship back in 1984, and it would be pretty embarrassing if a program that won a National Championship was shut down. More bad news for Bowling Green is that the school's president shut down the Kent State men's hockey program in 1994 so the move would hardly be unprecedented. My only question would be are there any other athletic departments that will be forced to make a similar move in this economy?
Brian: Want to watch the NCAA tournament without your boss or company being none the wiser? There's an iPhone app for that. Jeff, you impressed?
Jeff: That is fantastic.
Jeff: It looks like for the second time in three years, the MAC is wreaking football scheduling havoc over a BCS conference team. This year, it is Miami (Ohio), who can't honor their 2009 September 12 home date against Colorado. Brian, your thoughts?
Brian: The solution is simple. You know I have been bitching about BC beefing up their non-conference schedule. September 12 we play Kent State at home. Drop the MAC team Kent State in favor of hosting the Buffaloes at Alumni this year. This beefs up (pun intended) our out of conference sched - Colorado should be better than they have been the last few years - and gives the MAC a little dose of their own medicine.
Brian: Yesterday I predicted a BC win tonight over New Hampshire. Are you as confident in the Eagles going into the Hockey East quarterfinals tonight?
Jeff: Absolutely. They'll win the series against New Hampshire and it starts tonight with a W.
Jeff: Last one, the BC baseball team (10-3, 2-1 ACC) is also in Atlanta this weekend, taking on the 6th ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (11-1, 3-0 ACC). Can the Eagles build on their success from last weekend's series win over Florida State?
Brian: My gut tells me that BC won't be able to take the series but I hope they can steal a game from Georgia Tech.
Huge weekend for BC sports. Leave any thoughts on the ACC Tournament, NCAA tournament selection process, Hockey East Tournament, baseball or Pro Day in the comments section below. Go Eagles!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Jeff to Atlanta; Brian to ...?
Jeff: I'll be watching the game from home tonight as Mrs. Jeff and I don't head to Atlanta for the tournament until tomorrow. With Clemson losing this morning and Miami getting beaten badly by Virginia Tech, hopefully the higher seed will take care of business tonight and the Eagles will face Duke tomorrow night. The Eagles need to win tonight to avoid slipping into bubble talk. Going 1-2 (with the lone victory being by 1 point at home) against ACC non-tournament teams to end the season is not a good way to impress the committee.
Brian: I am flying to California tonight to work out some marriage paperwork or something (not entirely sure, I stopped asking questions a long time ago). So I won't be able to watch the game since it is on ESPN 360. So tonight I will be watching the second half of Maryland vs. NC State on ESPN on the plane. Then I will most likely stay on ESPN to watch the last Big East quarterfinal of the night with #3 Connecticut against #6 Syracuse. Of course, I'll have an eye on the bottom line checking the BC score.
Jeff: At least you'll be supporting the team in spirit tonight Brian. In my refusal to support BC athletics financially after the Jags incident I will be sitting in the NC State section tomorrow, section 133.
I of course am only kidding about not supporting BC financially. I was mad when the Jags thing went down but we all move on. My tickets were free.99 and originally going to be higher up in the Clemson section but the ACC moved everyone they could into the lower levels due to soft ticket sales, mixing up the fan bases of each team. With Clemson already out of the tournament, it will be a long drive to Atlanta tomorrow if BC can't get a win tonight.
Go Eagles!
Brian: I am flying to California tonight to work out some marriage paperwork or something (not entirely sure, I stopped asking questions a long time ago). So I won't be able to watch the game since it is on ESPN 360. So tonight I will be watching the second half of Maryland vs. NC State on ESPN on the plane. Then I will most likely stay on ESPN to watch the last Big East quarterfinal of the night with #3 Connecticut against #6 Syracuse. Of course, I'll have an eye on the bottom line checking the BC score.
Jeff: At least you'll be supporting the team in spirit tonight Brian. In my refusal to support BC athletics financially after the Jags incident I will be sitting in the NC State section tomorrow, section 133.
I of course am only kidding about not supporting BC financially. I was mad when the Jags thing went down but we all move on. My tickets were free.99 and originally going to be higher up in the Clemson section but the ACC moved everyone they could into the lower levels due to soft ticket sales, mixing up the fan bases of each team. With Clemson already out of the tournament, it will be a long drive to Atlanta tomorrow if BC can't get a win tonight.
Go Eagles!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Fortune Teller: ACC Men's Basketball Tournament
Welcome back to the BC Interruption psychic hotline. Today we peer into our crystal ball and glance into what the future has in store for the ACC men's basketball tournament this weekend.
Do you see BC blowing out Virginia in the first round?
Jeff: Blowout? Absolutely not. The Eagles might start hot or stretch their lead at the end but for at least 20 minutes of the game the margin will be 5 points or less. I would love to see Skinner get the chance to rest his starters for the last few minutes of the game but I do not see it happening.
Do you see all the top seeds advancing out of the opening round of the ACC Tournament?
Brian: I don't. Not at all. I actually see two "upsets" in the opening round of the tournament. The (8) vs. (9) matchup is hardly an upset, but I see Miami (FL) edging Virginia Tech in the noon 8 vs. 9 game. I also see (5) Clemson defeating (12) Georgia Tech easily. Later that day, I see 10th seeded NC State providing the ACC with its first real upset of the day, knocking off No. 7 Maryland. Finally, in the nightcap, I see Boston College eeking out a win over Virginia and ACC Rookie of the Year Sylven Landesberg. Therefore, I see two upsets on Thursday. And the stakes couldn't be higher for ACC bubble teams Virginia Tech and Maryland. Unfortunately for Hokies and Terps fans, I see a certain three-letter postseason tournament in store for both those squads with opening round ACC Tournament losses on their resume.
Is this the year that a team seeded 5-12 finally breaks through and wins four games in four days for the first time?
Jeff: Doubtful, but this year has more hope than most. BC sits in the 6th seed and has already beaten Duke who it would play on Friday and beat North Carolina on the road. Perhaps someone else can knock off Wake Forest so that the Eagles don't have to face them. Additionally, holding the 5th seed is Clemson who has been ranked all year basically which you don't often see from the 5 seed of the ACC tournament. I wouldn't be at all surprised if Roy Williams would prefer to face the Seminoles than the Tigers on Saturday.
Which one of the three ACC bubble teams - Miami (FL), Maryland, Virginia Tech - do you see making the Dance?
Brian: Of the three, I see the winner of the Miami (FL) vs. Virginia Tech 8 vs. 9 matchup making the NCAA Tournament. And it is a bit hazy to me, but putting aside their regular season loss to the Hokies, I think Miami (FL) escapes with the victory tomorrow. A win pushes Miami (FL) to 19-11 overall. Still, the Canes finished the regular season 7-9 in the ACC, a serious red flag, and went a pedestrian 4-6 in their last 10, including a bad loss to Georgia Tech. But I think with 19 wins overall, an RPI in the low 50s and a SOS around 25, quality wins against Wake, Florida State and BC, Miami is in.
Having beat BC twice this year, the Eagles are actually the Hurricanes best friend. Miami (FL) should be rooting hard for BC to win their opening round game and quarterfinal matchup to improve their resume's key wins.
Virginia Tech is currently 17-13 and I don't see them having enough to get into the tournament. The Hokies have an RPI in the 60s and strength of schedule in the 20s. They are only 3-7 in their last 10, but one of those 3 wins was a huge win at Clemson. The nail in the Hokies coffin will undoubtedly be their 75-61 loss at Virginia.
Maryland probably has the best resume today - 18-12 (7-9 ACC), 2-1 against Virginia Tech and Miami (FL), quality wins against two possible No. 1 seeds in Michigan State and North Carolina. SOS of 25 but RPI closer to 70. I would say that the Terps were on the verge of getting over the bubble and into the tournament if not for laying a giant egg in the regular season finale against Virginia. Even with one ACC tournament win, I don't think it will be enough to get the Terrapins into the Dance.
Do you see North Carolina defending their back-to-back ACC Tournament championships and winning for the third straight year?
Jeff: Yes. It pains me to say it but UNC is still loaded and the #1 seed really does have a much much easier road that the 2 and 3 seeds Wake Forest and Duke who are the next most likely suitors. Florida State in the #4 slot is just not good enough to win this conference tournament and for anyone else its just asking too much to win four games in four days against this competition. I will be there and cheering against UNC in every round but I am not expecting to see my wish come true.
Looking ahead to next season's ACC Tournament, do you see BC as higher or lower than a 6 seed?
Brian: This is a tough question. While I think the Eagles will be better next year with another year under the belt of Trapani, Sanders, Raji and Southern, you have to take into consideration what the other 11 ACC clubs do to improve their programs. Regardless of what North Carolina loses to graduation, you have to expect the Heels to finish in the Top 6 of the conference next year. UNC has something like four McDonald's All-Americans coming onto the squad next season! I expect Duke and Wake to again finish in the top half of the league standings next year, and Clemson and Florida State should be able to continue building on their success this season as they both have relatively young squads. That's five teams right there. So for BC to finish in the top half of the ACC next year, I would have to believe that none of the teams that finished below BC this season will bubble up and take that 6th spot. Even though I am a BC optimist, I just don't see that happening. Georgia Tech won't be 2-14 bad next season with the addition of Derrick Favors. Virginia has shown glimpses of a brighter future. And just take a look at the ACC recruiting classes of 2009. Nearly every other club better themselves with their 2009 recruiting class, yet notably missing from that list is any BC recruit (don't we have to fill Ty Rice's spot on the roster?).
Also, as Jeff pointed out earlier, look at the teams BC played twice this season due to the unbalanced ACC basketball schedule - Georgia Tech, NC State, Virginia Tech, Miami (FL), and Wake Forest. That would be the teams that finished last, 10th, 9th, 7th and 2nd. Certainly not a murderer's row of ACC teams we had to play twice (and for the most part, we didn't even capitalize on this advantage, dropping 1 game to NC State, Virginia Tech and Miami). Next year we might not have as favorable a schedule. If our 2009-2010 schedule ends up having two games against the UNCs, Dukes, Clemsons or Florida States of the conference instead of the bottom half of the conference, I wouldn't expect another 9-7 finish in conference.
Last one, who do you see winning each of the games in the ACC Tournament?
Jeff and Brian: For the opening round, we see (9) Miami over (8) Virginia Tech, (5) Clemson over (12) Georgia Tech, (10) NC State over (7) Maryland and (6) Boston College over (11) Virginia.
Brian: On to the quarterfinals, I have (1) North Carolina coasting past (9) Miami, but the Hurricanes opening day win may be just enough to get them into the NCAAs as the 7th ACC team. I see (5) Clemson knocking off (4) Florida State in the quarterfinals because 1) it is very difficult to beat a team three times in one year and 2) expect the Clemson faithful to show up full-force with Atlanta being a short car ride from Clemson. I see (2) Wake Forest making quick work of (10) NC State, and in the last game of the quarters, I just don't see (6) BC getting past (3) Duke for the second time this season.
In the semis, I see (1) North Carolina spanking (5) Clemson and (2) Wake Forest knocking the (3) Dukies out of the tournament. And in the final, I like Wake Forest over the Heels. You heard it here first. Wake Forest wins the ACC Tournament and grabs a #2 seed in the NCAAs. North Carolina takes a #1 seed.
Jeff: In the quarterfinals I agree that Wake Forest moves on easily and Clemson beats FSU because beating Clemson 3 times this season is just not happening for the 'Noles. Miami will lose to UNC but in a close hard fought game further bolstering their tourney resume. In the final game of the evening, BC beats the Blue Devils behind another inspired performance on a big stage by Rakim Sanders.
The semis will unfortunately be rather boring where BC will get handled by Wake and North Carolina will make easy work of Clemson. The finals will be a great matchup between the #1 and #2 seeds where UNC prevails in a close game.
Do you see BC blowing out Virginia in the first round?
Jeff: Blowout? Absolutely not. The Eagles might start hot or stretch their lead at the end but for at least 20 minutes of the game the margin will be 5 points or less. I would love to see Skinner get the chance to rest his starters for the last few minutes of the game but I do not see it happening.
Do you see all the top seeds advancing out of the opening round of the ACC Tournament?
Brian: I don't. Not at all. I actually see two "upsets" in the opening round of the tournament. The (8) vs. (9) matchup is hardly an upset, but I see Miami (FL) edging Virginia Tech in the noon 8 vs. 9 game. I also see (5) Clemson defeating (12) Georgia Tech easily. Later that day, I see 10th seeded NC State providing the ACC with its first real upset of the day, knocking off No. 7 Maryland. Finally, in the nightcap, I see Boston College eeking out a win over Virginia and ACC Rookie of the Year Sylven Landesberg. Therefore, I see two upsets on Thursday. And the stakes couldn't be higher for ACC bubble teams Virginia Tech and Maryland. Unfortunately for Hokies and Terps fans, I see a certain three-letter postseason tournament in store for both those squads with opening round ACC Tournament losses on their resume.
Is this the year that a team seeded 5-12 finally breaks through and wins four games in four days for the first time?
Jeff: Doubtful, but this year has more hope than most. BC sits in the 6th seed and has already beaten Duke who it would play on Friday and beat North Carolina on the road. Perhaps someone else can knock off Wake Forest so that the Eagles don't have to face them. Additionally, holding the 5th seed is Clemson who has been ranked all year basically which you don't often see from the 5 seed of the ACC tournament. I wouldn't be at all surprised if Roy Williams would prefer to face the Seminoles than the Tigers on Saturday.
Which one of the three ACC bubble teams - Miami (FL), Maryland, Virginia Tech - do you see making the Dance?
Brian: Of the three, I see the winner of the Miami (FL) vs. Virginia Tech 8 vs. 9 matchup making the NCAA Tournament. And it is a bit hazy to me, but putting aside their regular season loss to the Hokies, I think Miami (FL) escapes with the victory tomorrow. A win pushes Miami (FL) to 19-11 overall. Still, the Canes finished the regular season 7-9 in the ACC, a serious red flag, and went a pedestrian 4-6 in their last 10, including a bad loss to Georgia Tech. But I think with 19 wins overall, an RPI in the low 50s and a SOS around 25, quality wins against Wake, Florida State and BC, Miami is in.
Having beat BC twice this year, the Eagles are actually the Hurricanes best friend. Miami (FL) should be rooting hard for BC to win their opening round game and quarterfinal matchup to improve their resume's key wins.
Virginia Tech is currently 17-13 and I don't see them having enough to get into the tournament. The Hokies have an RPI in the 60s and strength of schedule in the 20s. They are only 3-7 in their last 10, but one of those 3 wins was a huge win at Clemson. The nail in the Hokies coffin will undoubtedly be their 75-61 loss at Virginia.
Maryland probably has the best resume today - 18-12 (7-9 ACC), 2-1 against Virginia Tech and Miami (FL), quality wins against two possible No. 1 seeds in Michigan State and North Carolina. SOS of 25 but RPI closer to 70. I would say that the Terps were on the verge of getting over the bubble and into the tournament if not for laying a giant egg in the regular season finale against Virginia. Even with one ACC tournament win, I don't think it will be enough to get the Terrapins into the Dance.
Do you see North Carolina defending their back-to-back ACC Tournament championships and winning for the third straight year?
Jeff: Yes. It pains me to say it but UNC is still loaded and the #1 seed really does have a much much easier road that the 2 and 3 seeds Wake Forest and Duke who are the next most likely suitors. Florida State in the #4 slot is just not good enough to win this conference tournament and for anyone else its just asking too much to win four games in four days against this competition. I will be there and cheering against UNC in every round but I am not expecting to see my wish come true.
Looking ahead to next season's ACC Tournament, do you see BC as higher or lower than a 6 seed?
Brian: This is a tough question. While I think the Eagles will be better next year with another year under the belt of Trapani, Sanders, Raji and Southern, you have to take into consideration what the other 11 ACC clubs do to improve their programs. Regardless of what North Carolina loses to graduation, you have to expect the Heels to finish in the Top 6 of the conference next year. UNC has something like four McDonald's All-Americans coming onto the squad next season! I expect Duke and Wake to again finish in the top half of the league standings next year, and Clemson and Florida State should be able to continue building on their success this season as they both have relatively young squads. That's five teams right there. So for BC to finish in the top half of the ACC next year, I would have to believe that none of the teams that finished below BC this season will bubble up and take that 6th spot. Even though I am a BC optimist, I just don't see that happening. Georgia Tech won't be 2-14 bad next season with the addition of Derrick Favors. Virginia has shown glimpses of a brighter future. And just take a look at the ACC recruiting classes of 2009. Nearly every other club better themselves with their 2009 recruiting class, yet notably missing from that list is any BC recruit (don't we have to fill Ty Rice's spot on the roster?).
Also, as Jeff pointed out earlier, look at the teams BC played twice this season due to the unbalanced ACC basketball schedule - Georgia Tech, NC State, Virginia Tech, Miami (FL), and Wake Forest. That would be the teams that finished last, 10th, 9th, 7th and 2nd. Certainly not a murderer's row of ACC teams we had to play twice (and for the most part, we didn't even capitalize on this advantage, dropping 1 game to NC State, Virginia Tech and Miami). Next year we might not have as favorable a schedule. If our 2009-2010 schedule ends up having two games against the UNCs, Dukes, Clemsons or Florida States of the conference instead of the bottom half of the conference, I wouldn't expect another 9-7 finish in conference.
Last one, who do you see winning each of the games in the ACC Tournament?
Jeff and Brian: For the opening round, we see (9) Miami over (8) Virginia Tech, (5) Clemson over (12) Georgia Tech, (10) NC State over (7) Maryland and (6) Boston College over (11) Virginia.
Brian: On to the quarterfinals, I have (1) North Carolina coasting past (9) Miami, but the Hurricanes opening day win may be just enough to get them into the NCAAs as the 7th ACC team. I see (5) Clemson knocking off (4) Florida State in the quarterfinals because 1) it is very difficult to beat a team three times in one year and 2) expect the Clemson faithful to show up full-force with Atlanta being a short car ride from Clemson. I see (2) Wake Forest making quick work of (10) NC State, and in the last game of the quarters, I just don't see (6) BC getting past (3) Duke for the second time this season.
In the semis, I see (1) North Carolina spanking (5) Clemson and (2) Wake Forest knocking the (3) Dukies out of the tournament. And in the final, I like Wake Forest over the Heels. You heard it here first. Wake Forest wins the ACC Tournament and grabs a #2 seed in the NCAAs. North Carolina takes a #1 seed.
Jeff: In the quarterfinals I agree that Wake Forest moves on easily and Clemson beats FSU because beating Clemson 3 times this season is just not happening for the 'Noles. Miami will lose to UNC but in a close hard fought game further bolstering their tourney resume. In the final game of the evening, BC beats the Blue Devils behind another inspired performance on a big stage by Rakim Sanders.
The semis will unfortunately be rather boring where BC will get handled by Wake and North Carolina will make easy work of Clemson. The finals will be a great matchup between the #1 and #2 seeds where UNC prevails in a close game.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Headlines: The Situation - Basketball
Brian: It wasn't a pretty win, and at times in the second half, we seemed to have no business being in the game, however a win is a win. Sanders redeemed himself for the bad reach-in foul on Georgia Tech's Lewis Clinch by hitting the game-winning shot with 1.7 seconds left. The win gets the Eagles to 21-10, 9-7 ACC and all but a lock for an at-large NCAA tournament berth. One of the more peculiar stories coming from this game was this article in the Boston Globe explaining how Skinner drew up the final play of the game. Jeff, how do you feel about Skinner's coaching performance Saturday after reading that story?
Jeff: I am a Skinner supporter and completely agree with everything he said there about having plenty of time left to get off a good shot. I notice commentors on the globe article are already ripping Al Skinner again but there is no reason to. Players panic with very little time left way too often. With two seconds left you do have plenty of time to get a good shot off just as he said. BC and Al Skinner got the win so what is there to complain about. Before anyone say GT's record you wouldn't be disappointed with a one point victory against them. This is still a team that finished in 11th last year.
Brian: Let's hope we carry the momentum of a home win into the ACC Tournament opening round. The field is set for the ACC Tournament. The Eagles grab the No. 6 seed and will face the 11 seeded Virginia Cavaliers in the night cap of the opening round of the ACC Tournament. Here is the rundown:
(8) Virginia Tech vs. (9) Miami (FL)
(5) Clemson vs. (12) Georgia Tech
(7) Maryland vs. (10) N.C. State
(6) Boston College vs. (11) Virginia
(1) North Carolina vs. (8) / (9) Winner
(2) Wake Forest vs. (7) / (10) Winner
(3) Duke vs. (6) / (11) Winner
(4) Florida State vs. (5) / (12) Winner
Back in February Jeff, you gave the Eagles a 94% chance that they would win their first round ACC Tournament matchup. Now given that Virginia is coming off a 68-63 upset win over the Maryland Terrapins (possibly bursting the Terps bubble?) combined with the close call the Eagles had against a 2-14 Georgia Tech team at home, care to revise those odds?
Jeff: Not really. I still feel very strongly about the Eagles beating UVA on Thursday even though UVA beat Maryland as you said and also beat Clemson recently. Al Skinner's teams have played well in the ACC and Big East tournaments over the years and I am looking forward to watching BC play Duke Friday night where I give the team a decent chance of beating Duke for the second time this year.
Brian: What game do you think is the most intriguing matchup on the first day of the ACC Tournament?
Jeff: It is the VT-Miami game without a doubt. Both of these teams were considered locks for the NCAA tournament at points earlier in the season but have fallen off and are now needed probably multiple ACC tourney wins to get in. North Carolina is not looking forward to playing either of these teams on Friday.
Brian: The bracket matrix has us as the highest rated 9 seed. How far do the Eagles have to go in the ACC Tournament to improve their NCAA tournament stock, and can anything knock them down into the 10-12 range at this point?
Jeff: The Eagles need to beat Duke to improve their stock which would immediately move them to a 7 seed or better. A close loss to Duke might get them an 8 but they will probably stay a 9. A loss to Virginia would put them right back on the bubble. Do you agree that an NCAA berth for the Eagles is not a certainty after barely beating Georgia Tech and losing to N.C. State this week?
Brian: I would say there is only a very slim possibility the Eagles don't make the Big Dance. With teams like Virginia Tech, Maryland and Miami (FL) fading down the stretch, I think the ACC has earned at least 6 tournament berths, and the Eagles are clearly sitting pretty at No. 6. The top five teams in the conference are locks, and BC isn't really being challenged by Virginia Tech / Maryland / Miami (FL) for that sixth tournament spot.
Jeff: I am a Skinner supporter and completely agree with everything he said there about having plenty of time left to get off a good shot. I notice commentors on the globe article are already ripping Al Skinner again but there is no reason to. Players panic with very little time left way too often. With two seconds left you do have plenty of time to get a good shot off just as he said. BC and Al Skinner got the win so what is there to complain about. Before anyone say GT's record you wouldn't be disappointed with a one point victory against them. This is still a team that finished in 11th last year.
Brian: Let's hope we carry the momentum of a home win into the ACC Tournament opening round. The field is set for the ACC Tournament. The Eagles grab the No. 6 seed and will face the 11 seeded Virginia Cavaliers in the night cap of the opening round of the ACC Tournament. Here is the rundown:
(8) Virginia Tech vs. (9) Miami (FL)
(5) Clemson vs. (12) Georgia Tech
(7) Maryland vs. (10) N.C. State
(6) Boston College vs. (11) Virginia
(1) North Carolina vs. (8) / (9) Winner
(2) Wake Forest vs. (7) / (10) Winner
(3) Duke vs. (6) / (11) Winner
(4) Florida State vs. (5) / (12) Winner
Back in February Jeff, you gave the Eagles a 94% chance that they would win their first round ACC Tournament matchup. Now given that Virginia is coming off a 68-63 upset win over the Maryland Terrapins (possibly bursting the Terps bubble?) combined with the close call the Eagles had against a 2-14 Georgia Tech team at home, care to revise those odds?
Jeff: Not really. I still feel very strongly about the Eagles beating UVA on Thursday even though UVA beat Maryland as you said and also beat Clemson recently. Al Skinner's teams have played well in the ACC and Big East tournaments over the years and I am looking forward to watching BC play Duke Friday night where I give the team a decent chance of beating Duke for the second time this year.
Brian: What game do you think is the most intriguing matchup on the first day of the ACC Tournament?
Jeff: It is the VT-Miami game without a doubt. Both of these teams were considered locks for the NCAA tournament at points earlier in the season but have fallen off and are now needed probably multiple ACC tourney wins to get in. North Carolina is not looking forward to playing either of these teams on Friday.
Brian: The bracket matrix has us as the highest rated 9 seed. How far do the Eagles have to go in the ACC Tournament to improve their NCAA tournament stock, and can anything knock them down into the 10-12 range at this point?
Jeff: The Eagles need to beat Duke to improve their stock which would immediately move them to a 7 seed or better. A close loss to Duke might get them an 8 but they will probably stay a 9. A loss to Virginia would put them right back on the bubble. Do you agree that an NCAA berth for the Eagles is not a certainty after barely beating Georgia Tech and losing to N.C. State this week?
Brian: I would say there is only a very slim possibility the Eagles don't make the Big Dance. With teams like Virginia Tech, Maryland and Miami (FL) fading down the stretch, I think the ACC has earned at least 6 tournament berths, and the Eagles are clearly sitting pretty at No. 6. The top five teams in the conference are locks, and BC isn't really being challenged by Virginia Tech / Maryland / Miami (FL) for that sixth tournament spot.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Dropped by the 'Pack and ACC Scenarios
Well, that was disappointing.
Despite what ESPN U would have you believe based on their postgame ACC Standings graphic, the Eagles lost to NC State last night 74-69 to drop to 8-7 in conference. Rakim Sanders led the way with 21 points. Jeff has a long car ride home from Raleigh tonight ...
Let's review our ACC Tournament options. Here are the things we know for certain.
With a win over Georgia Tech on Saturday, the Eagles will finish with a 9-7 record in the ACC. The other teams we would be vying with for ACC Tournament seeding at that point would be Clemson and Florida State. Here are the scenarios if the Eagles win:
With a loss on Saturday, the Eagles will finish with a 8-8 record in the ACC. The other teams we would be vying with for ACC Tournament seeding at that point would be Virginia Tech and Maryland. Here are the scenarios if the Eagles lose:
Long story short, the Eagles can fall no lower than the #6 seed in the ACC Tournament and can only grab the #5 seed if both Florida State loses and Clemson wins. The #4 seed and the first round bye were lost tonight in Raleigh ...
In all likelihood, BC is the 6 seed and faces 11th seeded Virginia in the opening round. If FSU loses and Clemson wins ... or if both FSU and Clemson lose, the Eagles will snag the #5 seed and play #12 Georgia Tech.
Any questions?
ESPN U Standings FAIL
Despite what ESPN U would have you believe based on their postgame ACC Standings graphic, the Eagles lost to NC State last night 74-69 to drop to 8-7 in conference. Rakim Sanders led the way with 21 points. Jeff has a long car ride home from Raleigh tonight ...
Let's review our ACC Tournament options. Here are the things we know for certain.
- North Carolina and Duke have clinched first round byes
- BC can no longer finish in the top 4 and earn a first round bye (see below)
- Virginia is locked into the #11 seed
- Georgia Tech is locked into the #12 seed
With a win over Georgia Tech on Saturday, the Eagles will finish with a 9-7 record in the ACC. The other teams we would be vying with for ACC Tournament seeding at that point would be Clemson and Florida State. Here are the scenarios if the Eagles win:
- If Florida State loses to Virginia Tech on Sunday and Clemson loses at Wake Forest, there would be a three-way tie for fourth place with FSU, Clemson and BC all at 9-7. To break a three way tie, the conference looks at the record of the teams in the group. Clemson is 1-2 vs. the group (dropping both games to FSU and beating us), FSU is 2-1 and BC is 1-1. In this case, FSU gets the 4 seed and the first round bye. BC gets fifth and the Clemson Tigers get the sixth seed (Remember, in a three-way tie, you can't use the head-to-head tiebreaker. See: 2008 Big XII South football).
- If Florida State loses and Clemson wins, BC gets the 5 seed and FSU gets the sixth seed as both teams will finish 9-7 and BC wins the head-to-head.
- If Florida State wins and Clemson loses, Clemson gets the 5 seed and BC gets the 6 seed.
- If Florida State and Clemson both win, we are locked into the 6 seed, alone at 9-7 in conference.
With a loss on Saturday, the Eagles will finish with a 8-8 record in the ACC. The other teams we would be vying with for ACC Tournament seeding at that point would be Virginia Tech and Maryland. Here are the scenarios if the Eagles lose:
- If Virginia Tech loses at Florida State on Sunday and Maryland loses at Virginia on Saturday, the Eagles would finish 8-8, and the Hokies and Terps would finish 7-9, giving BC the 6 seed.
- If Virginia Tech wins and Maryland loses, BC and Virginia Tech would be tied at 8-8 in the conference standings. Neither team wins the head-to-head since the Eagles and Hokies split this year, so the second ACC tiebreaker is record vs. the best team in the conference standings. Given that BC is 1-0 against both North Carolina and Duke, advantage Eagles. Eagles finish as the 6 seed.
- If Virginia Tech loses and Maryland wins, BC and Maryland would be tied at 8-8. BC owns the head-to-head. BC is the 6 and Maryland is the 7.
- If Virginia Tech and Maryland both win, BC, Virginia Tech and Maryland are all tied at 8-8. Looking at the record of teams in the group, BC is 2-1, Maryland is 1-1 and Virginia Tech is 1-2. BC wins the first tie breaker and is the 6 seed, Maryland the 7 and Virginia Tech the No. 8 seed.
Long story short, the Eagles can fall no lower than the #6 seed in the ACC Tournament and can only grab the #5 seed if both Florida State loses and Clemson wins. The #4 seed and the first round bye were lost tonight in Raleigh ...
In all likelihood, BC is the 6 seed and faces 11th seeded Virginia in the opening round. If FSU loses and Clemson wins ... or if both FSU and Clemson lose, the Eagles will snag the #5 seed and play #12 Georgia Tech.
Any questions?
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Five Good Minutes: More From the Class of 2010
Today we welcome Michael to the blog for five good minutes. Michael is a member of the Carroll School of Management's Class of 2010. Welcome, Michael.
Brian: First, Tell us a bit about yourself. How did you decide to attend Boston College?
Michael: I am currently a member of the class of 2010 in CSOM. I have lived my whole life in Maryland right outside D.C. I have been a die-hard Eagles fan since I was born mainly due to the brainwashing of my grandfather (class of 1950). Every birthday and Christmas I knew I would be getting something from the Boston College Bookstore and loved it. My first ever football game was a BC vs. Army game at West Point. I later attended numerous other games throughout my childhood. When the time came to decide which college to attend, I congratulated my grandfather on a job well done. I was destined to wear maroon and gold.
Jeff: We are told you follow the football team quite closely. What games are you attending this fall? What do you think the Eagles record is going to be in those games?
Michael: Unfortunately, this will be the first year I will not be attending a BC road game as I have already been to Doak Campbell [Florida State] and will wait on the Carolina trips until after I graduate. I am pretty optimistic about the Eagles this season and feel we will go at least 6-1 at home this year. The first three home games I think we will win comfortably - although UCF will be tougher than people think - and I can see us winning 3 of 4 of the remaining home games. Virginia Tech has some issues and is ranked high this preseason on name alone. Clemson's recent trouble against us is clearly known. The Irish are in jeopardy of seeing Boston College even up the all-time series in football. And I like our seniors in a revenge-minded Senior Day against the Terrapins. Hey, maybe we can go 7-0! Jags has clearly made a believer in me compared to Tom O'Brien.
Brian: Two individuals in particular have some big shoes to fill this coming football season. Most writers and critics believe Coach Jags still has to prove he can win with his own players, while Chris Crane has one of the most unenviable position in all of college football - following in Matt Ryan's footsteps as BC quarterback. Who has more pressure on them entering the season - Coach Jags or Crane?
Michael: Tough question. Even though Coach Jags has proven himself over an entire season and Chris Crane has only proven himself against Buffalo, I am going to still go with Jags. As many sportswriters have already pointed out, he has to prove he can win without Matt Ryan. And let's not forget the other impact seniors that are gone from last year's team like Cherilus, Dunbar and Silva. His recruits are going to be seeing more action and we will see if he has performed in the off-season. Not to mention every anti-TOB BC fan appreciated consecutive winning season and bowl game appearance. With a potential losing season this year, fans might start to doubt Jags.
Jeff: Tell us about your worst tailgating experience.
Michael: Has to be Florida State in 2006. I visited my friends at FSU and was the only Eagle fan I knew going to the game. Knowing it was Florida State's "Blackout" game, I still had to represent BC and wear the Superfan shirt. Let's just say I was easily noticed in the student tailgating scene. I have never been heckled so badly for so long in my life. My FSU friends loved the constant harassment from the Seminole faithful. I took the razzing with a good attitude and battled the fans throughout the game. I have to say the FSU students got a whole lot quieter after Larry Anam picked off Drew Weatherford on the Hail Mary attempt though.
Brian: Having attended the men's ACC basketball tournament the past 2 years, which team's fans are the most spirited? Which set of fans are just plain lame?
Michael: The Wake Forest fans were really a treat to watch in 2006 and 2007. They were the 12 seed in 2006 and still packed the Greensboro Coliseum and had a clear impact on their team's two upsets that tournament. Same thing in 2007 when they were the 11 seed and beat Georgia Tech in two overtimes in Tampa. Great fans. Good cheers. I enjoyed talking to their fans and their section in the arena was clearly noticed. This might seem like I am just following the national trend, but the Duke section brought nothing to the event. Their cheers were uninspired and their fans were arrogant. They did bring a lot of numbers to both events, but they were no joy to talk to and made me become one of the many who like seeing them lose. Miami's section was also pretty pathetic as it seemed the only fans in their section were the players' parents.
Jeff: We are told that the real TK is a family friend. Regular viewers of the show know that both of the guys really dislike blogs and the medium. What do you think he would think of this blog? (Put in a good word for us?)
Michael: TK does hate the whole blog wave, but I think he would enjoy how you guys use the show's format on a blog. I'll be sure to mention the blog to him the next time I see him. But I have to ask, who would you two see yourselves more like on the blog - TK or MW?
Brian: I'd have to say I'm more like MW, if only because I'm cooler and more hip than Jeff.
Jeff: Brian, don't confuse being hip with immaturity. Just because I've traded in my Wrangler for a family car and you live in NYC doesn't make you more hip. I enjoy my trips to the Home Depot and doing yard work on the weekends. I've always thought you were more of a TK guy because you run the show, though. The Eagle in Atlanta also has an opinion though and he disagrees with me, but for different reasons.
Brian: Put in a good word for us, just don't get us into any trouble! Alright, Michael, last one. In a recent NY Post interview with Brian Toal, Toal was quoted as saying his favorite sport outside of football was beer pong. Is beer pong really a sport, and if so, where does it rank in your personal list of favorite sports?
Michael: Haha. I actually read that and could not stop laughing. I have to give credit to Toal for giving the more controversial, yet clearly funnier answer to this commonly asked question. I have to consider beer pong a sport to consider myself a true BC student-athlete. And while it is probably the only sport that I might be able to hang with the current crop of BC athletes, beer pong is way behind my three favorite sports: football, basketball and lacrosse.
Brian: Thanks for joining us Michael.
Michael: Thanks for having me guys and keep up the great work. Only 11 more days until Kent State!
Have something to say? Want to be featured on a future Five Good Minutes? Email us.
Brian: First, Tell us a bit about yourself. How did you decide to attend Boston College?
Michael: I am currently a member of the class of 2010 in CSOM. I have lived my whole life in Maryland right outside D.C. I have been a die-hard Eagles fan since I was born mainly due to the brainwashing of my grandfather (class of 1950). Every birthday and Christmas I knew I would be getting something from the Boston College Bookstore and loved it. My first ever football game was a BC vs. Army game at West Point. I later attended numerous other games throughout my childhood. When the time came to decide which college to attend, I congratulated my grandfather on a job well done. I was destined to wear maroon and gold.
Jeff: We are told you follow the football team quite closely. What games are you attending this fall? What do you think the Eagles record is going to be in those games?
Michael: Unfortunately, this will be the first year I will not be attending a BC road game as I have already been to Doak Campbell [Florida State] and will wait on the Carolina trips until after I graduate. I am pretty optimistic about the Eagles this season and feel we will go at least 6-1 at home this year. The first three home games I think we will win comfortably - although UCF will be tougher than people think - and I can see us winning 3 of 4 of the remaining home games. Virginia Tech has some issues and is ranked high this preseason on name alone. Clemson's recent trouble against us is clearly known. The Irish are in jeopardy of seeing Boston College even up the all-time series in football. And I like our seniors in a revenge-minded Senior Day against the Terrapins. Hey, maybe we can go 7-0! Jags has clearly made a believer in me compared to Tom O'Brien.
Brian: Two individuals in particular have some big shoes to fill this coming football season. Most writers and critics believe Coach Jags still has to prove he can win with his own players, while Chris Crane has one of the most unenviable position in all of college football - following in Matt Ryan's footsteps as BC quarterback. Who has more pressure on them entering the season - Coach Jags or Crane?
Michael: Tough question. Even though Coach Jags has proven himself over an entire season and Chris Crane has only proven himself against Buffalo, I am going to still go with Jags. As many sportswriters have already pointed out, he has to prove he can win without Matt Ryan. And let's not forget the other impact seniors that are gone from last year's team like Cherilus, Dunbar and Silva. His recruits are going to be seeing more action and we will see if he has performed in the off-season. Not to mention every anti-TOB BC fan appreciated consecutive winning season and bowl game appearance. With a potential losing season this year, fans might start to doubt Jags.
Jeff: Tell us about your worst tailgating experience.
Michael: Has to be Florida State in 2006. I visited my friends at FSU and was the only Eagle fan I knew going to the game. Knowing it was Florida State's "Blackout" game, I still had to represent BC and wear the Superfan shirt. Let's just say I was easily noticed in the student tailgating scene. I have never been heckled so badly for so long in my life. My FSU friends loved the constant harassment from the Seminole faithful. I took the razzing with a good attitude and battled the fans throughout the game. I have to say the FSU students got a whole lot quieter after Larry Anam picked off Drew Weatherford on the Hail Mary attempt though.
Brian: Having attended the men's ACC basketball tournament the past 2 years, which team's fans are the most spirited? Which set of fans are just plain lame?
Michael: The Wake Forest fans were really a treat to watch in 2006 and 2007. They were the 12 seed in 2006 and still packed the Greensboro Coliseum and had a clear impact on their team's two upsets that tournament. Same thing in 2007 when they were the 11 seed and beat Georgia Tech in two overtimes in Tampa. Great fans. Good cheers. I enjoyed talking to their fans and their section in the arena was clearly noticed. This might seem like I am just following the national trend, but the Duke section brought nothing to the event. Their cheers were uninspired and their fans were arrogant. They did bring a lot of numbers to both events, but they were no joy to talk to and made me become one of the many who like seeing them lose. Miami's section was also pretty pathetic as it seemed the only fans in their section were the players' parents.
Jeff: We are told that the real TK is a family friend. Regular viewers of the show know that both of the guys really dislike blogs and the medium. What do you think he would think of this blog? (Put in a good word for us?)
Michael: TK does hate the whole blog wave, but I think he would enjoy how you guys use the show's format on a blog. I'll be sure to mention the blog to him the next time I see him. But I have to ask, who would you two see yourselves more like on the blog - TK or MW?
Brian: I'd have to say I'm more like MW, if only because I'm cooler and more hip than Jeff.
Jeff: Brian, don't confuse being hip with immaturity. Just because I've traded in my Wrangler for a family car and you live in NYC doesn't make you more hip. I enjoy my trips to the Home Depot and doing yard work on the weekends. I've always thought you were more of a TK guy because you run the show, though. The Eagle in Atlanta also has an opinion though and he disagrees with me, but for different reasons.
Brian: Put in a good word for us, just don't get us into any trouble! Alright, Michael, last one. In a recent NY Post interview with Brian Toal, Toal was quoted as saying his favorite sport outside of football was beer pong. Is beer pong really a sport, and if so, where does it rank in your personal list of favorite sports?
Michael: Haha. I actually read that and could not stop laughing. I have to give credit to Toal for giving the more controversial, yet clearly funnier answer to this commonly asked question. I have to consider beer pong a sport to consider myself a true BC student-athlete. And while it is probably the only sport that I might be able to hang with the current crop of BC athletes, beer pong is way behind my three favorite sports: football, basketball and lacrosse.
Brian: Thanks for joining us Michael.
Michael: Thanks for having me guys and keep up the great work. Only 11 more days until Kent State!
Have something to say? Want to be featured on a future Five Good Minutes? Email us.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Headlines: ACC Tournament Report and the Field of 65
Jeff: On Saturday, before the semifinal games at the ACC tournament, I attended the ACC Legends brunch where Bill Curley was inducted as Boston College's representatives. Clearly, Bill never played in the ACC but was on the team that upset North Carolina in the NCAA tournament. In response to the obvious question he was asked he said that it was a great move for Boston College to move to the ACC and that a 16 team conference is too big and the fact that not every team makes the conference tourney is "stupid." Do you think Mr. Curley was sincere or was he just playing to the crowd? I thought he was but I am a biased observer.
Brian: I think he was being sincere. The move to the ACC has been great for us. Sure, we are coming off a season with a losing record, but to put that in perspective, we haven't had a losing season in basketball since the year BEFORE we were freshmen. We have been just a tad spoiled during our first few years in the ACC. Also, watching the ACC semis, after Clemson knocked off Duke, ESPN flashed a graphic that said it was the first ACC championship game for the Tigers since 1962. We accomplished that feat in year 1 in the ACC. So those saying that BC athletics have dropped off dramatically over the past year need to keep things in perspective.
Jeff: By the way, others in attendance included Dean Smith, Charlie Ward, Kenny Anderson, and Elden Campbell.
Brian: A BC blogger and some ACC greats. Distinguished company!
Jeff: I was shocked yesterday when Virginia Tech was not included in the field of 65. Losing on a Tyler Hansbrough jumpshot with 0.8 seconds remaining is a tough way for your season to end. Had Virginia Tech won that game I would imagine they would've been seeded as high as Miami who recieved a 7 seed or higher. What a difference a game makes.
Brian: You have to feel for the Hokies who lost on a GW FG from Hansbrough and then had to witness possibly the lamest white-guy celebration after a game winning bucket, ever. There, I said it. Still, Va Tech is playing as good of basketball as anyone in the ACC right now (possibly even better than UNC), so I fully expect them to make it to NYC in the NIT.
Jeff: Finally, according to kenpom.com our final RPI ranking was 133. Our worst loss being to Robert Morris who finished ranked 135 but followed closely by the two losses to Virginia who finished ranked 127. Our best win came against Miami, ranked 34, followed by Rhode Island, ranked 76. Virginia Tech who I think got snubbed on Selection Sunday finished 52, one spot behind Villanova, but several spots ahead of Kentucky and Oregon who made the dance.
Also, Georgia was only 4-12 in conference play entering the SEC tourney and went on to win it. The SEC is hardly the ACC but it could've happened.
Brian: Our strength of schedule was pretty strong at 22. To think that we saw the #1 overall seed twice this year and two #2s (Duke and Kansas), we had a pretty awesome schedule. Congrats to the Georgia Bulldogs on winning the SEC in a crazy basketball weekend in Atlanta. Jeff, I know you were upset that the four ACC quarterfinal games you were in attendance for weren't competitive, but it could have been worse. The ACC tournament wasn't displaced by a tornado!
Brian: I think he was being sincere. The move to the ACC has been great for us. Sure, we are coming off a season with a losing record, but to put that in perspective, we haven't had a losing season in basketball since the year BEFORE we were freshmen. We have been just a tad spoiled during our first few years in the ACC. Also, watching the ACC semis, after Clemson knocked off Duke, ESPN flashed a graphic that said it was the first ACC championship game for the Tigers since 1962. We accomplished that feat in year 1 in the ACC. So those saying that BC athletics have dropped off dramatically over the past year need to keep things in perspective.
Jeff: By the way, others in attendance included Dean Smith, Charlie Ward, Kenny Anderson, and Elden Campbell.
Brian: A BC blogger and some ACC greats. Distinguished company!
Jeff: I was shocked yesterday when Virginia Tech was not included in the field of 65. Losing on a Tyler Hansbrough jumpshot with 0.8 seconds remaining is a tough way for your season to end. Had Virginia Tech won that game I would imagine they would've been seeded as high as Miami who recieved a 7 seed or higher. What a difference a game makes.
Brian: You have to feel for the Hokies who lost on a GW FG from Hansbrough and then had to witness possibly the lamest white-guy celebration after a game winning bucket, ever. There, I said it. Still, Va Tech is playing as good of basketball as anyone in the ACC right now (possibly even better than UNC), so I fully expect them to make it to NYC in the NIT.
Jeff: Finally, according to kenpom.com our final RPI ranking was 133. Our worst loss being to Robert Morris who finished ranked 135 but followed closely by the two losses to Virginia who finished ranked 127. Our best win came against Miami, ranked 34, followed by Rhode Island, ranked 76. Virginia Tech who I think got snubbed on Selection Sunday finished 52, one spot behind Villanova, but several spots ahead of Kentucky and Oregon who made the dance.
Also, Georgia was only 4-12 in conference play entering the SEC tourney and went on to win it. The SEC is hardly the ACC but it could've happened.
Brian: Our strength of schedule was pretty strong at 22. To think that we saw the #1 overall seed twice this year and two #2s (Duke and Kansas), we had a pretty awesome schedule. Congrats to the Georgia Bulldogs on winning the SEC in a crazy basketball weekend in Atlanta. Jeff, I know you were upset that the four ACC quarterfinal games you were in attendance for weren't competitive, but it could have been worse. The ACC tournament wasn't displaced by a tornado!
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Season Ending Loss to Clemson
Jeff: Not a whole lot of positives to take away from a 34 point season ending loss. I think the game can best be summed up by a few stats and plays.
- The Eagles shot 19 fewer field goals than Clemson and only hit 36% of those.
- Rice, an 85% free throw shooter twice missed the front ends of 1 and 1s in Charlotte.
- Sanders shot an airball on a free throw
Next year brings far more promise for the Eagles, happy trails Tyrelle Blair and John Oates who only combined for 25 minutes in their final collegiate contest despite both being in the starting lineup.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Greetings from Charlotte
Rice & Co. showed heart last night, ending the Terps NCAA hopes
Brian: Jeff mails in his thoughts on the 71-68 upset win last night against #6 seeded Maryland. Next up for the Eagles: the #3 seed Clemson Tigers tonight at 9:30pm.
Jeff: Great win for the Eagles tonight and it was great to be there despite it being a true nailbiter. I'm going to pretend the first 12 minutes of the game didn't happen so I can say good things about our team.
Our big men played GREAT. Oates didn't score but rebounded and played good defense. Basically same goes for Blair. Meanwile Spears scored when it seemed no one else could and Southern's scoring from the low post was desperately needed and is rarely seen in a BC game.
Paris, Rice, Sanders, and Raji all had at least one great play on both ends of the floor.
If you somehow didn't watch the game BC went from down 15 in the first half to up 10 late in the second and then promptly threw the ball away 3 times to let the final score be very close. A bunch of shots did not drop tonight and the team could've gotten more calls in the paint, but if the big men play like they did in the second half against Clemson, this lowly #11 seed could make the semis!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
TV Picks
Jeff is on hand to watch a full day of basketball in Charlotte. He sends us this pic of the arena prior to the noon tip between (8) Wake Forest and (9) Florida State (in progress). Since we all can't be as lucky as Jeff, here is information from ATL Eagle regarding tonight's game watches and TV schedules.
For readers in the greater New York City metro area, read on.
How can a conference tournament game for the #1 basketball conference in the country not be on television in the largest TV market in the country - NYC?!
- TV - blackout
- ESPN.com 360 - not provided on Time Warner Cable
- Pat O'Briens - on the other side of the city
You would think the "Worldwide Leader" would bump ESPNU Give N Go (whatever that is) for some extra ACC tournament action on ESPNU (which I actually get as part of Time Warner cable).
/cries as he takes out his credit card to shell out the $4.99 for ACC Select coverage
In NO WAY do I question BC's move from the Big East to the ACC, but its right around this time of year that I start to reminisce on having the Big East basketball tournament take place down the street at MSG (right in my backyard).
End of rant.
In NO WAY do I question BC's move from the Big East to the ACC, but its right around this time of year that I start to reminisce on having the Big East basketball tournament take place down the street at MSG (right in my backyard).
End of rant.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Toss Up: ACC Tournament Style
Brian: Jeff will be on hand to watch the Eagles beat the Terps tomorrow in the night game, so I will proceed in beating him in an ACC tournament edition of Toss up.
Toss Up - Johnny Oates against the Terps - will he make it rain again (21 points), or will we not even notice he played?
Jeff: Johnny Oates will not go for 21 but he will outshine both his average of 4.6 per game and Maryland's leading scorer Greivis Vasquez, who averages 17.5 per game, but only scored 11 and 14 in his two games against BC this season.
Brian: I expect Oates to play with heart. While I don't expect the 21 point outburst he showed in our last game against Maryland, he will have a couple buckets. But ultimately I don't think he won't be a factor in the box score.
Toss Up - ACC conference tournament bids - 4 or 5?
Brian: At this point I'm going to have to go with 4. Duke, UNC and Clemson are locks. Miami is the next best choice at 21-9, although 2 losses to FSU are curious. They will most likely have to take care of NC State though. A loss in the first round of the ACC tournament will put their at-large bid in jeopardy. VTech needs to string together a couple of wins in the ACC tournament to have any shot at the #4 ACC bid after a tough loss this past weekend to Clemson. Maryland, who I previously predicted would make the dance, is now on life-support. Look for BC to land the knock-out punch tomorrow.
Jeff: I'm going to go with 5 because the ACC already has 4 locks. Miami is #26 in the ESPN insideRPI and safe according to Joe Lunardi. Meanwhile Maryland, Virginia Tech, and Wake Forest are two wins away from an at large bid each. A tall task, I know but, with Tyrese Rice, I mean BC could also make a run and steal the automatic bid. I don't know exactly how it will shake out but the ACC is ranked the #1 conference by RPI and something will happen in Charlotte that will get a 5th team in.
Brian: At this point I'm going to have to go with 4. Duke, UNC and Clemson are locks. Miami is the next best choice at 21-9, although 2 losses to FSU are curious. They will most likely have to take care of NC State though. A loss in the first round of the ACC tournament will put their at-large bid in jeopardy. VTech needs to string together a couple of wins in the ACC tournament to have any shot at the #4 ACC bid after a tough loss this past weekend to Clemson. Maryland, who I previously predicted would make the dance, is now on life-support. Look for BC to land the knock-out punch tomorrow.
Jeff: I'm going to go with 5 because the ACC already has 4 locks. Miami is #26 in the ESPN insideRPI and safe according to Joe Lunardi. Meanwhile Maryland, Virginia Tech, and Wake Forest are two wins away from an at large bid each. A tall task, I know but, with Tyrese Rice, I mean BC could also make a run and steal the automatic bid. I don't know exactly how it will shake out but the ACC is ranked the #1 conference by RPI and something will happen in Charlotte that will get a 5th team in.
Toss Up - More surprising final ACC weekend meltdown - Maryland or Virginia Tech?
Jeff: Maryland was more surprising because they fell from potentially getting a 3 or 4 seed in the conference tourmanet which comes along with a coveted bye. Meanwhile, no shame in Virginia Tech losing to Clemson by 1 and they still get a bye in the conference tournament anyways.
Brian: Unfortunately, I'm going to have to agree with you, Jeff. Maryland is the bigger surprise. Not only was the Terp's loss to Virginia Saturday not even close, but losing 4 of 5 down the stretch really damaged any realistic shot Maryland had at making the tournament.
Jeff: Maryland was more surprising because they fell from potentially getting a 3 or 4 seed in the conference tourmanet which comes along with a coveted bye. Meanwhile, no shame in Virginia Tech losing to Clemson by 1 and they still get a bye in the conference tournament anyways.
Brian: Unfortunately, I'm going to have to agree with you, Jeff. Maryland is the bigger surprise. Not only was the Terp's loss to Virginia Saturday not even close, but losing 4 of 5 down the stretch really damaged any realistic shot Maryland had at making the tournament.
Toss Up - More likely to transfer - Spears or Roche?
Brian: The answer is Roche. Roche has seen his minutes steadily decline as the season went on, and in our last 4 games he has logged 5 minutes, including 2 DNPs. Plus with the 6'8" Vermont transfer Joe Trapani, who averaged 11.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game for the Catamounts, there is hardly a role left for Roche.
Jeff: You answered that question correctly but the fact is neither will transfer. Spears will have a better year next year when he is healthier and has some inside help. Spears has a tough time getting going when he is being guarded by and forced to guard good centers and power forwards. Then why would Roche transfer? Stay at BC and get a good education. His future is not in basketball and he will continue to get some minutes.
Brian: The answer is Roche. Roche has seen his minutes steadily decline as the season went on, and in our last 4 games he has logged 5 minutes, including 2 DNPs. Plus with the 6'8" Vermont transfer Joe Trapani, who averaged 11.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game for the Catamounts, there is hardly a role left for Roche.
Jeff: You answered that question correctly but the fact is neither will transfer. Spears will have a better year next year when he is healthier and has some inside help. Spears has a tough time getting going when he is being guarded by and forced to guard good centers and power forwards. Then why would Roche transfer? Stay at BC and get a good education. His future is not in basketball and he will continue to get some minutes.
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