Eagle Marketing Youtube Channel and other links

I wanted to take a moment to recognize the good content coming from BC's YouTube account "EagleMarketing." They are posting many interviews. The most recent was with Steve Donahue regarding the team's trip to Spain. Based on the views listed, not many of you watched it, but it is worth your time. Donahue emphasizes the growth of the team and how it will help as the develop here at BC.

Sinkovec x-rays came back negative, but what I found interesting is that BC contacted other Under Armour schools about shoe issues.

Another one of Doug Flutie's nephews is a rising quarterback in Natick. It will be interesting to see how and if BC recruits him.

We are at the bottom of the ACC Power Rankings.

Final thoughts on Spain and other links

As others have pointed out, you should read Ryan Anderson's final blog from Spain. Call me a sap or maybe    I am blinded by my loyalty to BC, but I was glad to read Anderson's take on the trip and his teammates. Think of trips or shared experiences you had at that age and how you felt after. Anderson just had one of those experiences and we were lucky that he shared it with us. I hope it all pays off on the basketball court because this team is very likable.

One thing I didn't put together was Doug Martin's experience going against Golden's defenses during Kent State-Temple matchups. It's interesting that Miami blamed most of the big plays on missed assignments. I am sure that's partially true but it doesn't explain some of the separation our guys got in one on one battles.

That Patriots released Matt Tennant after just a few days. I don't know where he'll go next, but I imagine multiple teams are interested.

The women's basketball team released their non-conference schedule.

If you didn't see it the soccer team beat Fairfield on Monday.

Weekend roundup

Sorry for the delay in posting my second viewing thoughts and grades. I am travelling and have yet to watch the game back. When I see it again, I will post the grades shortly thereafter.

AJ asked if this game was an aberration from Rettig or the start of something big. I am leaning towards the start of something big. As a reminder, Flutie's biggest day at BC all-time was also in a loss. I will have a post later this week on how Rettig's day -- even though a huge statistical leap -- was not a fluke.

The Patriots picked up Matt Tennant on the waiver wire. 

Here is another post from Ryan Anderson's Spain trip. The team lost their final game of the tour.

The women's soccer team's dominance on their west coast swing continued.

Field Hockey lost to UMass.

Washington Q&A and other links

BC Draft dusted off the cobwebs to post an interview with DLine coach Al Washington. What I appreciate about Washington is his positive outlook. Someone needs to be the believer and motivator and a young coach not that far removed from playing at BC can be that guy.

There was a flash mob in support of BC's Pete Frates.

BC unveiled its 2012-2013 commercial. They are going with the "birthday" theme. I'm glad they got Chris O'Donnell and Matty Ice involved but I don't know how the sesquicentennial theme will play to potential BC students.

The line has swung to Miami's favor. Read into that what you will.

Spaz admitted that the depth chart is not set in stone.

The basketball team traveled from Madrid to Valencia.

We need a big year from Kasim Edebali.

Basketball picks up a win in Spain

The basketball team bounced back from their Monday loss, to defeat Real Canoe Madrid on Tuesday. If you watch the clip above it will reinforce many of the stereotypes you probably have about European basketball. It doesn't look like anyone is playing defense. But I love the way BC moved the ball. There is a crispness and a pace that shows how far the young guys have come. I think when ACC play begins, we will be much improved and finally play at Donahue's desired tempo. I also like that we held them scoreless for more than six minutes. That sort of defensive commitment is key to improvement this year.

Ryan Anderson posted his second blog for BCeagles.com and Dennis Clifford wrote his second blog for the Heights.

Basketball loses, Soccer loses and other links

The basketball team lost the first game of their Spain tour. This is not surprising since they are playing proteams and a different style. I keep telling myself this trip is about getting better for the real season this winter. Ryan Anderson posted his second blog of the trip. I appreciate how candid he is about the art, the trip and the style of play. You sense an awareness and growing maturity. And it's not just about the trip. He's a college kid who is realizing all that he doesn't know yet. I think we all hit those checkpoints in life...just not on a public stage. He's very likable.

The men's soccer team lost to BU. (Is there ever a time when losing to BU doesn't stink?)

HD doesn't think we will make a bowl. Neither does Stewart Mandel.

Surprisingly, CBS didn't put us at the bottom of their ACC power rankings.

Basketball team embraces new media on Spain trip

Who cares if the games don't count or the major media outlets are not there? BC basketball is providing its own wall-to-wall coverage of their trip to Spain. 

Coach Donahue, Assistant Woody Kampmann, and Video Coordinator Dan McDermott tweeted pictures of the team in and around Madrid. 

BCeagles.com has a photo gallery of Day 1 and a Ryan Anderson diary. Anderson even admitted to being a typical American and sneaking a McDonald's stop into his day. The Heights has Dennis Clifford blogging about the trip too. 

The best place to keep track of the comings and goings is probably the Official Basketball team's twitter account. Let's hope the games go as well as the first day did.

Swigert hurt and other links

Bobby Swigert is the latest BC starter to miss the Miami game. According to BC, he will miss multiple games after injuring his knee in the scrimmage.

Steve Donahue talked about his expectations for the Spain trip and how the players have spent their summer. For those who missed it, ESPN ranked our hoops program at 50th overall, all-time.

Here is a video clip of Spaz rewarding the walk-ons with scholarships.

Future Eagle David Coggins is inactive as his high school eligibility comes into question.

HD posted her clip of talking to Emmett Cleary.

I was at BC at the same time as Matt Hasselbeck and even then everyone thought he was a great guy off the field.

The women's soccer team beat UConn.

The men's team won its opener.

Volleyball started strong in our own invitational.

Viva Espana: what you need to know about the basketball team's trip to Spain

NCAA rules allow a basketball team to take an overseas summer tour once every four years. These trips are a huge advantage as they allow the team to play together and at a high level during a dead period. In addition to improving skills, the trips also bond teams together and help the coaches experiment with different rotations and lineups. In the past BC has traveled to France, Switzerland and Australia. In a little less than a month, BC will take its first trip to Spain. This is our first tour under Donahue and a critical chance for this team to get better. Below are some of the facts, figures, schedules and nuggets about the trip.

• All players can and will attend, including new freshmen Joe Rahon, Olivier Hanlan and incoming Senior Andrew Van Nest. Transfer Alex Dragicevich cannot go. 
• Aside from the players, the rest of the travel party includes the coaching staff, a trainer, a sports information director, and two managers. 
• Some of the schedule is still being finalized, but here are BC's current plans for games:
• August 27 Madrid - Game 1  
• August 29 Valencia – Game 2 (ACB Team - Valencia Basket) 
• August 31 Barcelona - Game 3 (ACB Team - Penya or Manresa)
• September 1 Barcelona - Game 4 (LEB Team)
• The team leaves Boston on August 25. In each city they will practice and see some of the local sights. They also have community service time scheduled. The team returns on September 3. Classes begin back in Boston the next day.
• The games will be played with international rules, courts and FIBA balls.
• BC doesn't know if the referees will speak any English (but they're hoping).

For any Eagle fans in Spain, try to catch a game or two. It should be fun. For those of us stateside, there are presently no official broadcasts but I imagine an internet feed will pop up for some of the action.