Divitto on watch list and other weekend news

The organizers of the Lott award named Steele Divitto to their watch list. Many of these early watch lists are generated by the schools themselves pushing candidates. Divitto has been solid so far in his BC career but far from a standout. Maybe the new defense and a little more physical maturity will see his career blossom. I do think he'll be good in more of an attack mode under Brown.

Soaring to Glory is posting a nice Year in Review series.

More on former BC assistant Pat Duquette's rise to UMass-Lowell.

BC's hoops schedule is nearly full.

BC basketball's influence spreads all over New England

UMass-Lowell hired former BC assistant Pat Duquette as their new coach. I am happy for Pat as he was another in a long-line of quality Al Skinner assistants. Duquette getting the job was a reminder that while the local media might not always pay attention to BC sports, the other New England Athletic Departments do. And hiring yet another BC assistant shows that people in college athletics appreciate our approach to basketball.

Of all the college sports, men's college basketball might be the most exploitative of the student athletes. It starts before they even step on campus with the corrupt AAU circuit and then continues as men's hoops has an intensive travel schedule that really makes it hard to be a student and it all wraps up with a multi-billion dollar tournament that underwrites the NCAA. BC has done basketball the right way for a long time, but really became a program to emulate under Skinner and continues now under Donahue. Other ADs recognize that and so you now find BC guys leading Providence, Northeastern, BU, UMass-Lowell, and Bryant. (It should also be noted that former BC coach Jim O'Brien is at Emerson.)

Ironically while his former assistants flourish, Al Skinner was passed over for another local job. UMass-Lowell hinted at what might have been the problem -- "our discussions with Al didn’t go quite in a direction that would work as well for Al." I can only speculate on what was said, but it reads like Al wants to do things his way. I applaud him for demanding his way when he returns. One day soon an AD is going to let Skinner do things his way and won't regret it. Just ask all of Al's guys who are now leading New England basketball.

Praise for Roche and other links

Pat Duquette took some time to talk about Tyler Roche and his impact on the team. Roche's season has been a microcosm of this year. He started well, but struggled with injuries and then finding minutes and his role. Now let's hope his solid play of late is the key to a strong finish.

The BC-Under Armour relationship got a small mention in this article on UA's continued growth.

Former BC Tight End and Jack SR son, Bob Bicknell joined Chan Gailey's staff in Buffalo.

As I tweeted yesterday, Chase Rettig is considered one of the sleeper QBs in this recruiting class.

Florida WR Curt Evans is one of BC's targets for 2011.

New title for Duquette and other links

Skinner's longest serving assistant Pat Duquette is now the Associate Head Men's Basketball Coach. That's a promotion from his previous title of assistant head coach. I don't know if this changes any of his responsibilities. Regardless, Duquette has been a key to BC's success and I am glad he got this bump. My guess is the opening at Holy Cross motivated BC to lock down Duquette. This also makes him a likely candidate to succeed Al whenever Al decides to hang it up.

That wasn't the only Skinner news...BC also picked up their second 2010 hoops commitment in Minnesota Forward Kevin Noreen.

A bunch of BC baseball guys made regional teams for their postseason heroics.

A few new notes about Herzy's chemo.