Basketball bounces back against Wake

If BC is really a bubble team, then they needed to prove it Saturday in a game against a depleted Wake Forest team. And they did!

Robinson had another big day with 25 points, including 10-10 from the foul line. Chatman also started scoring again after going 0fer this week and coming out cold. Check out Bowman's highlight dunk below.

The bad news is that the team started flat again. They also made plenty of mental mistakes in the first half.

They are back at it again Tuesday against North Carolina.

Watch the #SCTop10 dunk from @JumpmanBowman with both the broadcast call from @ACCNetworkExtra as well as @meatstweets & @dabrams24 on the @BCIMGSportsNet #BCEagles #WeAreBC pic.twitter.com/ZDKlJhEKL8

— BC Men's Basketball (@BCMBB) January 7, 2018

Comeback against Clemson comes up short

The good news is that Robinson's hot streak wasn't a one-time thing. He played out of his mind again in the second half against Clemson, including six 3s. The bad news is that the heroic performance was wasted in another close loss.

BC was really sloppy and ineffective in the first half and put themselves in a big hole (down 19 at one point). They got no movement towards the basket and were chucking bad perimeter shots. They were also turning the ball over.

In the second half, BC turned it on...but it wasn't enough. Aside from Robinson, the other big game came from Mitchell, who made smart plays all over the court.

Chatman was too quiet for such and important game and Robinson and Bowman have to be more careful with their passes against a good defense.

BC's overall D was good in the half court. If not of Clemson's transition off of our turnovers, BC would have won the game.

Like others I am sick of the close losses. If we just play a little smarter early in the game, we will start winning.

BC Hoops loses tough road game to UVA

I don't know if this will be a "turn-the-corner" season or just more of the same from other Jim Christian years, but Saturday's loss seemed more encouraging than the typical moral victory. BC went on the road to a ranked UVA team, played UVA's style of game, got an off day from Bowman and nearly upset the Cavaliers.

Jerome Robinson was on fire. He scored 29 of BC's 58 points. It was a real hero game as he drove to the basket, made tough jumpers and a few 3s against UVA's typical disciplined D. The other thing of note as we head towards ACC play is that Christian only played six guys the whole game and Luka Kraljevic only played 14 minutes. This team has no depth but the top guys are clearly ACC-level players. Can he get away with that during the remainder of the ACC season?

If Bowman has his normal game, BC wins. If BC draws up a better inbounds at the end, they win. If UVA's Jerome doesn't nail two NBA 3s late, BC wins. There is a lot to like and the D is improved. Now just turn some of these close games into Ws.

Duke win: the day after

Hoffses thinks this game can be a springboard and puts BC in the bubble talk. I hope so.  A major problem of the Christian era has been the inability to build on any significant win or moment.

The Duke media is still trying to figure out how they lost.

I don't know much about what Ky Bowman is really like off the court, but bringing up group project work as part of your Saturday night is a great media response. It is exactly what the media wants to hear and BC fans eat it up too. I hope his group gave him some leeway!

Ky Bowman finished the @BCMBB win over #1 Duke today with 30pts, 10rbs, & 9asts. What’s he going to do to celebrate the big win? “I have a group project meeting tonight for class”, he says. #STUDENTathlete

— Zack Spears (@Zacklopedia) December 9, 2017

Here is behind the scenes of Christian talking to the guys after the game. Let's hope this was a program changer.

"Thank you for giving me a memory of a lifetime." -- #HCJC #BCEagles #WeAreBC pic.twitter.com/LDyU3XE5di

— BC Men's Basketball (@BCMBB) December 10, 2017

Games and atmospheres like that can be great for BC Football recruiting. BC hosted recruits this weekend.

How about @BCMBB with the win over No. 1 Duke!! Way to go fellas 👏👏#BCEagles pic.twitter.com/Ow58EXCknd

— Boston College Football (@BCFootball) December 9, 2017

Down goes Duke

A few days ago -- when the Hawkins news became official -- it seemed like BC's basketball season was over before it even started. Clearly the team wasn't ready to give up. BC upset No. 1 Duke Saturday for the biggest win of the Christian era. Bowman led BC with 30 points, while Robinson went 5-5 from downtown.

Aside from the boost of confidence and respect this win provides, I think the biggest takeaway was the environment. Conte sold out and was loud. Students stormed the court after the win and BC started trending in social media. BC Basketball has become an afterthought and dismissed by our casual fans. A few big wins and a little excitement might get those casual fans back on the bandwagon. This could be a program defining win or just a fluky upset. It will really depend and how Christian and Co. handle the rest of the season.

The lights went out as Boston College stormed the court after upsetting Duke.

This GIF is so mesmerizing: https://t.co/DvOw4ufkmg

— SB Nation CBB (@SBNationCBB) December 9, 2017

BC Basketball hype pops up amidst ND talk

Wednesday saw a tweet flurry from CBS's Jon Rothstein after sitting in on a BC practice. Combined with other media gossip and there are plenty of College Hoops writers expecting BC to make a big leap this year. Back in the Skinner days, I would take these sorts of leaks as a sure thing. Now, I have my doubts. Even with added talent, I don't know if there is enough for BC to break through and even be a middle of the pack ACC team.

What I did find interesting from Rothstein is the idea that BC might go with positionless basketball

The theme around BC practice today? Positionless basketball. Eagles have interchangeable pieces. Similar in mold to SMU last season.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) September 13, 2017

This is not a new concept, just new to BC. Plenty of college and pro teams basically play with wings, big and a ball handler, many of whom can be interchanged. The challenge BC will have is with regards to D. If they put their best five out on the court together, who will guard the other team's big, inside players? Positionless basketball will work against less talented teams, but against the elite teams with size, we better hope BC makes a ton of three-pointers.

Bowman's injury fitting end to forgettable year

The best thing about BC Basketball is having an MRI on his knee Wednesday. It was that kind of season.

In the actual loss to Wake Forest, BC tied the game up early in the second half without Bowman but then it fell apart. The gameplan from the start was to get physical with Wake and it led to a lot of fouls and playing time for Reyes. He looked good, so there is that going for BC.

But overall this was another waste of time year. A waste of BC's time. Our fans' time. And most importantly, the players' time. Because of the timing of this all, we are headed for another big waste of time next year.

There are many reasons why BC is struggling on the basketball court. None are insurmountable. I don't think Christian will be the guy to fix things. I just hope that next year he leaves BC basketball in a better place than he found it.