Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Another impressive basketball win

The "good" BC team came out to play Wednesday night as BC beat NC State at Conte. Maybe it is not fair to keep expecting a terrible performance like earlier in the year, because I think the team and the staff might now have a good feel for what they are. This win was still sparked by Robinson and Bowman, but it wasn't about them getting hot from the outside. BC won this game with good defense and smart ball movement.

NC State was sloppy, but that doesn't explain away all of BC's steals. Plus BC turned many of those steals into easy baskets. NC State was playing both Robinson and Bowman very tight outside, so they started using screen and finding cutters. Smart basketball is developing now that the guys have played together. One more positive -- the foul shooting was much better. BC converted many free throws down the stretch and slowed any NC State comeback.

Aside from foul trouble for Bowman and Jeffers, there weren't many concerns. BC was a little sloppy early, but got things under control. Tava made some great cuts but couldn't always convert. BC also had some bad possessions late when nursing the lead. 

Things are really looking up when you consider where the team was a month ago. Let's hope it continues against Cuse this weekend. 


11 comments:

Legal Eagle said...

I have watched almost no BC basketball over the last year and a half for obvious reasons. As I watched this game and the Duke highlights, I was struck by how much Bowman and Robinson look like ACC level talent yet it seems like nobody wanted either of them during recruiting. Typically guys that slip through the cracks in recruiting take a few years to blossom. It is great to see them having success so early in their careers.

We are a long way from returning to the level of talent we had during the Skinner years, but this seems like a great start.

1661_Comm said...

Good to see another hoops post ! They are heading in the right direction in hoops....and in my opinion, will become a successful program again under Christian.....not gonna happen in football with Daz. ATLEAGLE...maybe you can give up posts on BC Football during Lent ? Coincidentally it is about the same time Jerry York has BC hockey peaking each year, so we can BLOG about hockey during another Championship Run.

Watching this team play, I can't imagine that they will be satisfied with the 2 ACC wins they currently have. .500 might be asking too much, but maybe 6-7 wins in ACC is achievable. That plus 1 more front court recruit for next season and I'm signing back up for season tickets.

Knucklehead said...

Spinelli, spinelli, spinelli. He knows how to recruit.

Looking forward. If he turns us around in 2-3 years like it looks he will be gonzo.

Knucklehead said...

They would be a bubble NCAA tournament team if they didn't lose the game should have won in preconference.

Still Bowman is legit. He can adapt to the Defender, find open cutters and goes to the basket looking to finish- not to try and draw a foul-Ryan Anderson.

Guido said...

Did a little research on Bowman - since I had heard that Alabama offered him in football. Did not see that offer , but on 247 sports , he had been offered by NC , SC and East Carolina in football as a wide receiver. Not bad and there probably was an offer by Saban. He is listed as 6'1" 180lbs. His first step is so quick and his vertical going to the basket is something special and only a freshman. I am sure that most posters on this Board are aware of these facts , but I normally do not follow basketball. This team will make every opponent work for a win and I believe that they will beat Syracuse again. The "Cuse" is down for a period of time.

Unknown said...

From what I have heard and seen he had a offer from both Alabama and Auburn.

Knucklehead said...

The Heights interviewed him. He said there he recommitted from them because they reneged on their offer to let him play BB after football season ended. Then Alabama kind of offered him both after that but it sounded iffy to him. Since Christian personally recruited and spent some time with him he decided on BC. His mother is quoted as saying she felt that her son felt welcomed by Christian and not just Spinelli.

Very interesting. Good kid.

Knucklehead said...

Decommitted not recommitted. Friggin spell check.

Knucklehead said...

UNC then Alabama then BC

GP11 said...

Robinson and Bowman ooze talent and I like the supporting cast of Turner and Chatman as knockdown shooters on the drive/kick but also be able to put the ball on the floor if the defender closes out too hard. The backcourt and wing positions are actual ACC level. Can't believe we finally get to say that again.

They are going to really miss Jeffers next year who is the most athletic big we've had in years. Popovic has decent post moves but thinks he can shoot far better than he actually can (but hey, keep working on it and it could become a weapon) and is a definite minus on defense. Reyes is a big body but not much else. A lot of development to do there. They desperately need to bring in an athletic frontcourt option for next year. Ideally another grad transfer to help even out the scholarship distribution again.

This team could definitely upset some of the premier teams in the league. Very excited for the rest of ACC play. Expectation for next year should be a tournament bid.

Guido said...

Knucklehead - interesting facts about Alabama as it pertains to Bowman. I bet he would have been a very tough receiver to cover. But BC got some luck when his first passion was BB.