Christian Q&A and other links

The Heights posted an excellent Q&A with Jim Christian. What I found most interesting is that he's not watching tape of last season. He explains that he's doing it so everyone has a clean slate and because he is running something totally different. However, you would think he would want to see how the players played during live action. At least Clifford is looking healthy.

BC is one of many ACC schools to get on late-blooming basketball prospect Rayjon Tucker.

Phil Steele is a big believer in experience and developed his own metrics to measure it. The numbers don't look good for BC.

There are reports that the Women's backup Goalie Megan Miller is transferring to Wisconsin.

UNC-Asheville hired BC's pitching coach.

Chase Rettig is making the most of limited snaps with the Packers. The Raiders signed Emmett Cleary. The Eagles are giving Momah a second chance in Philadelphia.

Student tickets and BC

Since tickets were on my mind earlier in the week, I thought I would link to two interesting articles that show BC is not the only school with ticket issues and how Brad Bates is trying new things with regards to student basketball tickets.

This article from the Wall Street Journal made its way around the blogosphere (including our comments) and is well worth your time. If the huge SEC and Big Ten schools are shrinking their student section, perhaps BC should consider something similar. I also think improved wireless and creating more in-game entertainment wouldn't hurt.

In basketball, Bates and the Athletic Department have created a section for students that runs parallel to the court (instead of just being on either end). I think this should help overall demand. Students want to be close and want to be seen. But also, I think creating a sense of demand for these seats will help overall interest. The old way clearly wasn't working so something new may.

ATLeagle Google+ Hangout with Austin Tedesco

New feature alert! As much as there is a routine to the blog, I do like to try new things. This is my first attempt at a Google+ Hangout. My guest is Heights Sports Editor Austin Tedesco. We talk mostly football but do get into basketball at the end. 

Forgive any technical issues as I learn and adjust. There will be new Hangouts throughout the school year. As always your feedback is appreciated. 

Everyone is writing about Rettig and other links

The Heights wrote a nice feature on Chase Rettig. What stood out was this summation of his stats despite teh issues around him.

Of the 35 teams that allowed 30 or more sacks last season, only eight also had a 3,000-yard passer*. Rettig was one of them. These eight teams averaged 126 rushing yards per game. BC only averaged 90. The other schools in this grouping also didn’t have to rely on one receiver so heavily, like the Eagles did with Amidon. All of them, except for BC, had at least two wideouts bring in more than 600 yards.

Heights and Lows compared Rettig to Riley Skinner.

The Raiders cut John Wetzel.

BC is one of many teams interested in New Hampshire prospect Chris Garrison.

UConn-BC official and other links

Once we knew that both BC and UConn were in the 2k Classic, an official pairing seemed inevitable. The organizers agreed and the two former Big East foes will face off in the Semis. I know none of the current players, coaches or ADs share the bad blood, but the fans still do. I hope we win convincingly. Not only will it mean some revenge, but it will also be a huge RPI win for a BC team that will probably need one. 

Sarah Marshall Ryan took a job with the Atlanta Dream. 

Austin Tedesco's preseason basketball coverage continued with a Q&A with Anderson and Hanlan. 

Experience pays off for college QBs. Let's hope it holds true for Rettig.

BC is doing a good job of getting our players on the PreSeason Watch lists. Amidon made the Biletnikoff list.

Luke Kuechly can jump.

Morrissey to Michigan State and other links

Based on how his recruitment the past few weeks, it is no surprise that Matt Morrissey picked Michigan State. The only real reason it is news is that it is rare for Addazio not to close a kid like this. Morrissey is the younger brother of former BC linebacker Mike Morrissey. But we lost out to a program he also had ties to and a program in the Midwest.

Austin Tedesco posted a really good preview of the basketball team. I am a big believer in experience and the raw numbers are staggering in BC's case. Donahue needs to turn that experience into wins.

Divitto is on the Butkus watch list. I don't think any of our defensive players are going to get enough tackles to get national awards.

ESPN's Adelson broke down BC's schedule. She thinks we should get to about five wins.

BC is one of the most popular Universities on Instagram.

The BC community and the Boston Marathon Bombing

I purposely waited a few hours to write anything about the Marathon Bombing. Other than a few friends and in-laws who live in the Back Bay, I am fairly removed from it all and wanted to avoid the typical blogger instant reaction. Like others who have spent time in or lived in the area, I love the Marathon and Patriots Day. This is a tragedy and I will pray for the victims. Other than that, I don't have anything to add.

I do want to use this post to make people aware of the excellent coverage and information coming from BC sources.

Heights Sports Editor Austin Tedesco is providing excellent coverage via twitter.

Luke Russert is not in Boston, but he is sprinkling his BC roots into his coverage.

BC also provided an update.

I will have a sports update later tonight. Sports clearly doesn't matter now, but I know this blog is an escape and distraction for many. If I can take people's minds off the tragedy, it is the least I can do.

Report: TOB in talks w/UVA and other links

David Teel is reporting that TOB is considering joining Mike London's staff at UVA. While not a done deal, this is the most unpredictable thing I've ever read about the most predictable man in the business. TOB doesn't need the money. As a BC booster recently told me: "Tom still has his first communion money." TOB told many former staffers and players that NC State was his last job and that he was nearing retirement. However, he didn't leave NC State on his own terms. Maybe being fired struck a nerve. Or maybe he realized he's still too young to retire. I don't know, but I am surprised he would consider a staff job. I heard he had interest in Cincinnati. He has a long relationship with London and always loved UVA. Maybe he will go back into coaching. Just when you think you know a guy...
London did clean house and does need a DC, but I don't think Spaz will be in play. TOB is an empty nester and Spaz still has kids in school in Massachusetts. I doubt Spaz is willing to sacrifice any buyout money to go be an assistant somewhere else.

This is from a few days ago, but Doug Martin is returning to New Mexico State. Best of luck to him.

Johnny Gaudreau is on a great run in the World Juniors.

The Heights posted a good preview of the basketball team heading into ACC play.

The women's basketball team lost to Hampton.

Luke Kuechly might not win Defensive Rookie of the Year, but he is getting credit for changing the Panthers defense.

ICYMI: links from the past week

Two great pieces from Austin Tedesco this week. The first is on the basketball's trip to Spain. The second is on Alex Amidon and features friend of this blog, his dad Stephen.

Soaring to Glory's continued their hockey preview. The season is right around the corner.

The trip to West Point brings back memories for WR coach Aaron Smith.

The Globe published a rare feature on a BC female athlete, hockey's Alex Carpenter.

Paul Gaughan is adjusting to Center.

This is not BC-related, but you should check out Yahoo's profile of LSUFreak. You've probably seen his work, but what is great about him and his rise is how the college football community embraced and celebrated his work.

Here is an article on Peter Frates from last week.

Other BC voices

As the BC blogosphere and twitterverse have grown, we all seem to be commenting on the same topics. But there are some unique voices out there that might get lost in the noise. Here are some other BC folks who at times are overlooked or not given enough credit. Follow their work for insight, passion and humor.

BCMike: twitter and BC Draft. Mike is a fellow Georgia transplant and has been active on various BC message boards and platforms for years.

Dave Levy: twitter and Heights and Lows. Dave's twitter feed is not exclusively BC sports, but it is media and sports heavy. Heights and Lows takes a more lighthearted approach to BC sports.

The Heights: twitter and tumblr. The Heights Sports section is in the middle of a great run. For the past six or seven years they've been building their depth, improving their reporting and breaking more news.

Greg Joyce: twitter. Greg will edit the Heights Sports section next football season. With the fate of Spaz, Gene and the ACC in play, the Fall will not lack for storylines or news.

Stephen Sikora: twitter. Another Heights Sports staff writer. He live tweets during games.

Austin Tedesco: twitter. Austin closed the school year with a strong Steve Donahue interview.

Prof. Ed Taylor: ETEagle Blog. CSOM Accounting Professor and die hard BC fan.

Eric Hoffses: twitter. As I've said before, I am not a fan of Eagle Action, but I am a fan of Hoffses. He is easily the best guy covering -- not just commentating on -- BC sports.

Soaring to Glory: Blog. Their individual previews of the players are worth the read.

Around the Res: Blog. They are the only ones who can get Gene to answer their questions!

I know I didn't cover everyone. If there is someone or some blog that I overlooked, please add it in the comments section.

Heights' Donahue Q&A and other links

The Heights has been tweeting out quotes from their Donahue Q&A for a couple of days. Today they posted it. It is very thorough and well done. Donahue is more than candid and seems to have a good perspective on BC, his players and building the program. Hats off to the writer Austin Tedesco. He looks to have a bright future covering BC sports.

Donavan Henry -- who spurned Spaz's offer to play football -- explained his choice to pursue track to the Herald.

Track's Jon Vaughn is looking to build off of his strong indoor season.

Kent State named former Eagle Danielle O'Banion their new women's basketball head coach.

Kristin Igoe, Mikaela Rix, and Covie Stanwick earned All-ACC honors in lacrosse.

Former Eagle Rakim Sanders played well at the Portsmouth Invitational, but I still doubt he'll earn a spot on an NBA roster. What can Rakim do that 40 other potential draftees cannot?

Maryland athlete Daikiel Shorts is on BC's recruiting radar.