ACC leading push for bigger Tournament and new rules

When you are the most powerful conference, you tend to flex your muscle. The ACC is doing that on the basketball front. The league is making a proposal to expand the NCAA Tournament field to 72. They also want some general rule changes like, pushing back the 3-point line, shortening the shot clock and expanding the lane.

Because the ACC tends to be one of the deepest leagues, the expanded tournament makes sense. It means one more team makes it. Because a few more game also means a few more dollars for the NCAA, I imagine this one will pass.

The rules changes are trickier. The 3-point line is an equalizer. As is slowing down the game via shot clock. I am not sure changing the lane helps or hurts less talented teams. A faster pace game where the 3 is harder helps ACC teams when they are playing less talented teams. I don't know if the small schools will get on board and support those ideas. What would be in it for them?

I would think the rules changes would be neutral for BC. Christian's team took a lot of 3s this year, but he is not tied to it like some programs. I think he would adjust his talent and approach as needed. The tournament field would help BC. Anything to get us back in the big dance would be nice.

What to expect at the ACC Media Days

The ACC kicks off its Media Days Sunday. The event is actually a decent opportunity for BC. With so much of the assembled media not from New England, this is one of the few times we will ever get coverage in traditional ACC country. Plus our representatives usually come off well and it gets noticed. This is also Addazio's first time representing BC among the conference media. I expect them to welcome his passion and candor. Joining the coach will be Chase Rettig and Steele Divitto. The team usually selects seniors whom they expect to have a big season, so view it as a vote of confidence for both players.

There will be plenty of coverage on all different outlets, so look for these themes and questions as the events unfold.

-- Addazio getting asked a lot about Tebow and Hernandez. This is the most predictable portion of the weekend. Fortunately Addazio is used to it by now. I expect him to give generic non-answers and when appropriate steer the conversation back to BC.
--Steele Divitto to make an all conference team. The QB position is too much of a logjam for Rettig to get on a preseason ACC team, but I think Divitto will. Don't mistake his votes for respect among the ACC Media. Many times players who attend get an added boost because they are top of mind.
-- Everyone to get asked about Boston Strong and the Marathon. With the way our collective memory works, many have already forgotten about the bombing, but I think the media will ask...even if it is just as simple as "how did not having a Spring Game impact your preparation?"
-- BC folks will be asked non-nonsensical questions about Pitt and Syracuse. Someone will ask something about the new "northern" schools joining in some fashion since BC is still viewed as the odd duck by many old-time ACC reporters. The only issue I have is that none of our current players ever went through a conference switch and don't really have a relationship or rivalry with Pitt or Syracuse.
-- The voters will put BC near or at the bottom of the division. Expectations are low. Very low. I don't care though. I just hope Addazio can use it as motivation.

QB recruiting and other links

BC is being aggressive again on the QB recruiting front. Christian Suntrup is one of many QB targets in this class. BC is also talking to Pennsylvania QB Matt Johnson.

Akil Sharperson is coming to BC as a preferred walk on. He seems like a special kid.

BC, Duke and UNC were the top ACC performers in the academic progress report.

Here is another wrap up of the ACC meetings. The GMan thinks we will sign with ESPN.

If you missed Jared Dudley on First Take, you can click on this link via his twitter account.

Although they still haven't signed many guys, Donahue's crew has been very active. BC has interest in Wisconsin product Paul Jesperson. Meanwhile Kevin Noreen seems to be talking to everyone and remains undecided.

This baseball america blog mentions BC commit Kevin Walter and speculates that if he is drafted high enough he might skip the Heights and sign with an MLB team.

Former Eagle Razzie Smith is trying to make a go of it in the CFL.

ACC Meeting news and other links

The the pending TV deal(s) look like they will be the major news coming out of the ACC meetings. My guess is that there will not be an ACC network. I also doubt we will align with one provider like the SEC did with ESPN. Instead, I predict the ACC deal will have renewal arrangements with ABC/ESPN, CBS (for basketball), Raycom and Fox. The money will grow, but not be enough to end expansion talks. Speaking of expansion...it is on everyone's mind (including Gene's) yet no one at the ACC has any definitive solution or statement. It is all wait and see. Since all the players are dancing around the issue, I think the ACC remains vulnerable. Until the conference announces a new partnership plan which includes huge departure penalties, every school is a flight risk. Ugh, I know in the long run BC will be okay, I just don't want to see us in the ACC/Big East leftovers conference.

Donahue has interest in Arizona PG Jahii Carson. I am glad to see us working the 2011 targets, but we still need a flyer or two for the 2010 class! We are still waiting on the official word from Kevin Noreen.