Basketball ends ACC drought!

I've written and tweeted about the "two steps forward, two steps back" nature of this year's Boston College Basketball team. Well Sunday they took two huge leaps forward and ended their long ACC losing streak. This BC team -- which lost to Fairfield two weeks ago -- crushed Syracuse at Conte. This year's Orange might stink, but this was an impressive win.

BC took apart the 2-3 with ease. They made a ton of 3s or moved the ball into the high post to get good looks to guys running the baseline. Bowman dominated making seven of eight 3s and setting the tone with his aggressiveness. Robinson and Turner also had big days. 

It wasn't all perfect though. Syracuse had plenty of guys who drove to the basket off of isolation. We need to work on either help or playing a little off on the perimeter. The team also had a little more trouble with the press than I would like. BC opted to throw long touchdown passes over the press instead of breaking it with dribbles and passing. I don't know if the long passes are a good long term strategy.

I can't express how excited I am by Bowman. It is not just the points, but the energy. I know that sounds kind of subjective, but I think a tough, aggressive player can change the whole culture of a team. He is the type of player that can give those guys around him confidence. Even though we have had great players like Rice, Jackson and Hanlan over the past ten years, I don't think we've had someone with this sort of vibe since Dudley. 

The other thing that I found interesting is that Garland Owens didn't play until the final minute of a blowout. His lack of playing time speaks to the change in talent around the program. The Donahue recruit has played since Day 1 and is now barely getting off the bench. That validates Christian's recruiting. 

I am sure BC will stumble some more this season. I am still not even sure if Christian can coach his way through an entire ACC schedule. But now I feel much better about our upside and what we can accomplish as the players mature.  

Questions heading into the ACC schedule

Monday's stomping of UMass-Lowell wasn't the true midpoint of the basketball season, but it was the end of the growth stage. Now BC faces the ACC schedule (and one game against Harvard). It is time to see how they compete and see how Christian coaches when facing the best teams and coaches in the country. This is a pieced together team in a transition year, but it is still critical for them to show toughness and smarts in ACC games. Here are things to consider before we play Duke this weekend:

1. Can Hanlan take over?

Hanlan carried huge expectations into the season. I certainly drank and poured the Kool-Aid. He hasn't been bad but he hasn't been elite and he hasn't been consistently dominant. We are not as offensively focused this year and he's still learning to play with the new guys, but he's been too passive at times. Just improving his shooting 3-point and free throw shooting to his historical norms would be a huge difference. Missing those shots isn't about scheme or coaching. It is just about being cold or overthinking things. If Hanlan wants to test the NBA waters again, he's going to have to kick it up another gear.

2. How short is our rotation?

We've tested plenty of rotations, but we are probably our best when we have Brown, Hanlan, Batten, Heckmann and Clifford on the floor. While not mini, that is still a smallish five. And though small, it doesn't create offensive mismatches in our favor that some small ball teams might. There had been high hopes for Jackson, but he hasn't shown much since coming back from injury. Owens and Odio have been inconsistent. How much time do any of them deserve?

3. Can they survive the early part of the ACC schedule?

There are no easy games in the ACC, but we get most of the best teams early. Does this team have the mental toughness to survive that and stay competitive against the lesser ACC teams in February? Donahue's teams did not. I think how they respond and fight will tell us about Christian's coaching.

Bates says a lot of nothing and other links

Brad Bates gave very similar quotes to his hometown paper and to the Globe to say that he's happy at BC. We've read a million job denials in college sports only to see the denier take a new job days later. Is this different? I don't know. The fact that he felt the need to speak to two regional outlets makes me think that nothing is imminent. There is no pressure on any AD to comment on a job. He's not out recruiting or trying to hire a coach. Maybe he's getting ahead of the story knowing that Michigan is going in a different direction. I don't think any BC will truly know if Bates is staying until there is a new AD in Ann Arbor.

Hockey's struggles continued as they lost to Harvard 6-3 Tuesday night.

Syracuse.com produced a fair preview on the Basketball team. I am a little more optimistic about our upside than they are.

ESPN put out a feature on Murphy. I feel like they had it ready prior to his rough game Saturday since it doesn't really get into that slight setback. But it is nice to learn about more about our QB. Let's hope he ends the season on high note.

Goaltender Brian Billett left the Hockey team for undisclosed reasons. Alex Joyce joined the team in his place.

Why the BC basketball job still matters

I found myself defending the BC basketball job on some of the message boards Monday and felt I should bring the argument here...

I am constantly amazed by how little some BC fans often view our athletics programs. During the football searches, there were always some fans who voiced "BC is a terrible job. Who would ever want to coach here?" Now that it looks like basketball might face a change, you are hearing some of the same sentiments. "BC's _________ [insert: fans, facilities, recruiting base, etc.] are so bad, no one will ever want to take this job." Whatever you think of BC, know that this job is still very, very attractive. I don't know if BC will hire a big name. I don't know if BC will hire a good coach. Heck, Steve Donahue could still be our coach next year (that is another post altogether). BC and other programs make bad hires all the time, but it is never due to a lack of good, qualified or interesting candidates.



1. There are only so many jobs in power conferences. For everyone opening at a major college, there are dozens of guys who want the job. Especially in the ACC. Coaches as a group tend to be hypercompetitive constantly looking for their shot. The chance to go head to head against Duke, UNC and Syracuse is very appealing for some. Especially if the guy is an assistant at a big program or in a lower conference.

2. Historiclly BC has been a very good basketball program. We won Big East titles under different coaches. We've competed in the ACC. As you always hear during the Tourney, we have the most tournament wins without making a Final Four. The list of successful coaches who have come through BC is impressive (Daly, Davis, Williams, O'Brien, Skinner). That past success is encouraging to potential candidates.

3. The new coach will be able to get his players in the system quickly. It hasn't worked out well for Donahue, but most coaches won't shy away from having to restock the roster in two or three recruiting cycles. They won't be "stuck" with Donahue's guys. Plus most new coaches are going to come in with an understanding of who and who they cannot recruit. The program will be at a lowpoint. I expect BC will allow a few borderline guys in to help turn the tide early.

Every job has its drawbacks. Every coach who has a job can be selective about his next job. I don't know how the process will turn for BC. Trustees, ADs, Presidents and agents could all screw this up, but that doesn't mean the job is the issue.

Basketball stuff and other links

Here is the transcript for Donahue's press conference. He talks about how the starters have grown together.

Even with all the optimism surrounding the team, the Media voted us 8th overall in the preseason poll.

Alex Dragicevich is in better shape than when he arrived at BC.

BC put up a twitter roundup of everything from the ACC Media Day.

BC's two-game series with Ohio State has been pushed back due to Big Ten scheduling issues.

Addazio picked up his early morning practice idea from Oregon.

Mike Cavanaugh is adjusting to life running his own show with UConn Hockey.

Thoughts on the basketball schedule

BC released its basketball schedule Thursday. Most of us knew the opponents already but it is nice to see all the dates lined up, especially those in the ACC. Here are some thoughts:

Perfect out of conference schedule
Given the creep of conference play, special tournaments and some historical match-ups, there is less freedom in filling out the non-conference schedule than there used to be. This year is a very nice balance. We've got plenty of respectable teams (Purdue, VCU), some trips to Alumni friendly spots (USC, MSG) and a few softies to help pad the win total. The traditionalist in me would like to see a Holy Cross game, but this a solid list of games.

The other benefit of playing a respectable out of conference schedule is that it will help our tournament resume. BC should get a minimum of seven out of conference wins.

Exciting home games
Attendance has been in a long, embarrassing decline since our first season in the ACC. Everyone has a pet theory as to why. I attribute it to a variety of factors. One way to change things is to build some excitement and anticipation around the good games we have at home. This year Maryland, Duke, Notre Dame, Syracuse, Pitt and Florida State come to us. Steve Donahue and the team can help by playing well, but filling the seats at this game is really on Bates. He's now had time to prepare for this season. The team will be better. If we cannot draw our own fans, we will need to readdress our whole approach to basketball marketing.

Must finish strong
The most critical part of the schedule is the final six games, four of which are on the road. How you finish is important for your tournament resume. That stretch will also include our first return to Syracuse since leaving the Big East. We must win at least four of those games.

I am excited about the schedule and the season. I hope the team lives up to expectations.

ACC releases basketball rotations for 2013-14

The ACC announced the basketball schedules for next year. We don't have dates yet, but we know who we will play. As we knew, Notre Dame and Syracuse will be our permanent rivals that we play twice each year. As part of the rotation, we will also have two-game series with Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech. 

The remaining home games will be Pitt, Florida State, Maryland, Clemson and Duke. The other road games will be Miami, UNC, Wake Forest, NC State and Virginia.

Not knowing how Donahue will finish out his recruiting class, I think this is a reasonable mix. We can win eight ACC games and should be a solid NCAA Tourney candidate. 

From a Marketing standpoint, it is nice to have Duke along with Syracuse and Notre Dame. There are enough elite teams to sell to our fickle fans.

ESPN/ABC pretends they are not putting BC-ND in primetime and other links

ESPN reserved the right to flex the ACC schedule in a six day window. That means that they won't announce the start times or networks for the November 10th games until this Sunday. BC and Notre Dame will either be a noon game or an 8 PM game. People are speculating that this is a hedge just in case Pitt beats Notre Dame this weekend and knocks Notre Dame out of the Top 10. I predict it will be a evening game regardless of what happens this weekend. Notre Dame has been a very good TV draw this year. Their  games against Oklahoma and Stanford were the highest rated college games of their respective weekends. Even with a loss, there is viewer momentum built into them and Teo's Heisman push. This will be a night game.

Florida DT Kevin Maurice enjoyed his visit this weekend but did not commit.

SI posted their ACC basketball preview. Like me, they don't think we will be the worst team in the conference.

Hockey beat UMass-Lowell on Sunday.

BC moved up in the ACC's Power Rankings.

We know about BC's graduation rate, but I thought Biko Paris's quotes in this article were enlightening and help explain how BC does it.

Sharing Donahue's optimism

The coaches predicted a last place finish for BC basketball. So did the media. Maybe I am missing something, but I agree with Steve Donahue. I think we will be a good basketball team. Not best in the conference and probably not a bubble team, but competitive. We won't finish 12th in the ACC. Here is why I am in a "half full" mood:

Returning talent
Donahue is bringing back 75% of his offense and most of his minutes. The only significant contributor he has to replace is Humphrey. Even though last year's team wasn't good, the natural progression should pay off. Historically when big BC recruiting classes mature, there is a nice bump in Year 2. The Bill Curley class improved by six wins in their second year and finished above .500. The Antonio Granger/Woodward class (even without Herren) improved by 10 wins in their sophomore year and made the tournament. The Rakim Sanders/Raji class improved by eight wins and made the tournament. Of course those improvements were also impacted by other players who were not part of the super-sized classes, but the point remains. Natural maturity will pay dividends this year.

Improvement on the road
BC was 8-9 at home. 4-4 in ACC homes games. Yet we didn't win one road game all year. I doubt that will happen again. Especially when you factor in some of the close losses. Maturity will be a big factor as will dumb luck.

The second year in Donahue's system
I think Donahue is a very good Xs and Os guy and a good teacher. But I felt at times he was over managing the games. The players didn't think for themselves or find the natural rhythms of the offense. But that was to be expected. He was teaching all of them the offense. There wasn't any holdover who could help the players while on the floor. This year they will have more experience and push the tempo more...sort of like Donahue's first season.

The new guys and a healthy Heckmann
While not as highly touted as some other ACC freshmen, Rahon and Hanlan will contribute early. Heckmann had some great moments last year but a variety of health and playing issues made him a non-factor down the stretch. If he is healthy and focused, he will more than make up for the missing Humphrey.

3, 3, 3, 3...
We will shoot and make more 3s this year. It will surely cost us a game when we go ice cold, but I expect it will help us steal and surprise some teams too.

Please let it be better
Some of my optimism is just playing the odds. Some of this is buying into what Donahue is selling. But I admit, I also just want it to be better. Football season has been so painful, we need some non-Jerry York generated excitement around the Heights. I think these guys will do it even if the rest of the ACC doesn't.

Who should the basketball team play out of conference?

One of the minor controversies to come out of the Basketball team's media day was the break in our series with UMass. As Donahue explained, there is only so much room on our schedule and there wasn't much demand. I actually agree with him and would place UMass relatively low on our non-conference slate. The NCAA limits basketball teams to 27 to 29 regular season games (depending on the number of games in their preseason tournaments). With the preseason tournaments, schedules are designed to max out at 31 games. The ACC has 18 regular season games. We also will play in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge most years. A preseason tournament also account for three games. That leaves BC with between five and seven non-conference games a year. There is not that much room. With those factors, this is how I would rank in importance our non-conference foes.

1. Providence. Long running rival. Close game. Playing a Big East team helps our RPI.
2. Holy Cross. Another long-time rival. Our athletic history is so muddled at this point, I think it is important to play Holy Cross in at least one sport that means a lot to both schools.
3. One game against a team from a BCS conference. Even with the Big Ten game and the Providence game, we will always need a game against a major program to help our ratings. This year's example is Auburn. In most years I would prefer a West Coast team so that our fans in California could see the team in person.
4. Harvard, BU or Northeastern. I think a Basketball Beanpot is a little premature, but we should play at least one of these teams annually. Ideally we would rotate through them on a three year basis. Proximity and travel cost alone justify these teams. In most years we will win.
5. One game in the New York area. As you saw from the Army game, our fans in the Tri-State area will come out to support the team if they are close. Ideally this would be a Big East team, but I understand if playing two Big East teams annually would be too much. Fordham, Army, Fairfield, Manhattan, and Hofstra all jump out as good targets for short series.
6. UMass. There is history and in most years they will be a respectable opponent. But now that we are playing them in football, I don't think it is as important to play them in hoops annually.
7. Other New England schools. On years where we have openings, we should look regionally. It makes sense financially and athletically. Byrant, UNH and Dartmouth are perfect examples from this year's schedule.

ACC hoops play primer and other links

BC begins ACC play this weekend against North Carolina. As you can imagine, the Tar Heels are heavy favorites. I just hope that BC keeps it close. UNC will be without one of their freshmen stars in James Michael McAdoo. Here is Andy Katz's overview of the ACC.

I found this roundup of links regarding Dana Holgorsen to be very enlightening. As we continue to struggle scoring points, I think our approach to offense has to change. It is not just play calling. It is about execution and preparation.

BC offered a scholarship to 2013 target John Montelus. He is an offensive tackle from Everett.

In an offbeat but interesting story, Billy Flutie saved someone from chocking at the Applebee's in Cleveland Circle!

BJ Raji is ready for another Super Bowl run.

The women's basketball team lost a heartbreaker to Virginia Tech.

The women's hockey team also lost a close game, falling to St. Lawrence 2-1.

More baby steps with win over Bryant

If you watched the entire game, you know things could have gone another way. But BC stayed composed and pulled away from Bryant for their second straight win. There were many positives and a few concerns. My thoughts are below. Feel free to leave yours.

Likes
-- Lonnie Jackson's 3-point shot. We know that Donahue needs shooters. It looks like he might have one in Jackson, who made seven three-pointers on Sunday. Jackson won't get that many good looks going forward, but his ability and the mere threat of him nailing a bomb will open other things.
-- Ryan Anderson's all around game. Anderson wasn't flashy, but he put together another solid game. You can tell by how he moves around the basket that he's going to be a consistent and smart rebounder.
-- Jordan Daniels's tempo. Daniels is not a scorer. He also pushed the ball when he didn't have any teammates with him. But I like that he gets the ball up court quickly. The guys will get used to playing with him and start joining him on rushes up the floor.

Dislikes
-- Humphrey's shot selection. It is not just the misses. It is the fact that he doesn't drive to the hoop more.
-- rotations. How did we let them back in during the first half? I think the big issue is that without Daniels running the point and a shooter, BC settles for bad shots. I know Donahue has to make many people happy and see what works. But it is important that he starts to get a regular rotation. BC cannot afford a rotation that doesn't produce consistent points.

ACC Hoops next year and other links

Duke and North Carolina are favorites to win the ACC again next year. As you would expect, a North Carolina-based writer picked BC to finish 11th. I am sticking to my early statement that we will be a bubble team if Reggie returns. If he leaves and we are totally dependent on the transfers, I think we will finish with five or six ACC wins and around .500 overall.

Jimmy Hayes is foregoing his senior year to sign with Chicago.

After dominating the indoor track season, BC's Caroline King earned performer of the week honors for her 1500 time.

On the recruiting front, New Jersey line prospect Ray Korang plans to visit BC. Tight End prospect Colin Thompson likes BC, Florida and Wisconsin.

Et tu, HBO?

HBO is producing a documentary on the Duke-North Carolina rivalry. It is bad enough that ESPN and all its tentacles put the Blue Devils and Heels above all other programs, but now one of the leading ESPN alternatives is continuing this larger (and largely unchallenged) media narrative. Like all other HBO docs, I am sure it will be good. I just wish they had picked a different subject.

From a BC perspective, the Duke-UNC thing is a double-edged sword. We benefit financially due to our conference partnership. The flip side is that we and nine other schools play second fiddle when it comes to perception amongst the media, fans and recruits.

View from the bottom: the fatal flaws of the ACC Tourney teams from a BC perspective

Because of BC’s newbie status within the ACC, I am sure the following will be viewed as sour grapes and envy. It’s not. Location and conference affiliation led me to see plenty of ACC basketball this year…and I just wasn’t that impressed. Think of me as the Anti-Billy Packer. I think the conference is solid but filled with flawed teams, including those at the top. So keep the following in mind as you fill out your brackets.

North Carolina
Overview: The No. 1 overall seed. The Tar Heels are loaded with talent, capable of big runs and led by an experienced, National Championship winning coach. Many people will pick them to win it all.
Why the BC games changed my perspective on them: In both BC games, Roy Williams pulled all five starters because of their lack of effort. Coaches uses those little mental game tricks all the time. Sending a message to your starters in February is smart. However, even in the ACC tournament I saw the same lapses from the Heels. Yes, they won the ACC Tourney, but the games were much closer than any of them needed to be. If the Heels keep letting less talented teams hang around, eventually they will get burned. The other source of doubt about the Heels comes from Tyrese Rice’s 46-point outburst against UNC. If Rice were surrounded by just a little more talent, BC would have won. Come the second or third round, the Heels will come across another Rice-type (Chris Lofton, perhaps?). Only this time them won’t advance.
Pick: I have UNC in the Elite Eight. Their talent should get them that far. They won’t make the Final Four.

Duke
Overview: After a down year, the Dukies are back. They shoot well. As much as I hate to say it, Coach K is probably the best coach at in-game adjustments this time of year. They also have a very, very favorable bracket.
Why the BC game changed my perspective on them: Like UNC, the ease at which Rice scored and kept BC in the game at Cameron has me doubting the Blue Devils. The other thing – rebounding. BC is not a good rebounding team, yet we out hustled and out muscled the Blue Devils in a loss. The Blue Devils will face a more defensive minded, better rebounding team eventually
Pick: The Blue Devils have a very favorable bracket, but I could see them losing to West Virginia in the second round. I think they will definitely lose in the Sweet 16.


Clemson
Overview: The best Tiger team in a decade comes in very hot and with a lot of confidence. The are physical, athletic and play great D. Their pressing style will drive teams nuts in the tournament.
Why the BC games changed my perspective on them: Clemson just beat BC 84-48 last Friday. They dominated every aspect of the game. I should be high on them right? I’m not. The whole vibe of the blowout – especially continuing to press late in the game – had a vibe of a team and a coaching staff not pacing themselves. This weekend Bobby Knight was talking about how when any game was in hand he would immediately start prepping for the next game. Knight has many faults, but he knows how to win tournament games. I think Oliver Purnell had his team peak a week too soon.
Pick: Clemson’s bracket is brutal. Villanova will be able to handle the press. Vanderbilt, a potential second round opponent, is also experienced breaking the press. I see Clemson getting knocked out the first weekend.

Miami
Overview: A good shooting team that comes into the tourney winner of seven of their last 10. Their RPI is strong and they have wins over Duke and Clemson.
Why the BC games changed my perspective on them: BC split their series with Miami this year. The second game -– which Miami won -- is what gives me concern about the ‘Canes tournament prospects. BC was floundering coming into the game and Miami let them hang around. This team that shoots well got cold against a bad team and only won because BC missed too many foul shots.
Pick: Pretty simple...they are not getting by Texas.