Hello and welcome to another edition of Thursday Evening Ramblings. As Boston is experiencing its heat wave of the century (well, it feels like it), I come to you in one of my best moods of any recent Thursday. The basketball team scored 95 points last night, the football team now has 23 commits for 2003, and Boston College led the conference with ten members on the 2002 Big East All-Academic football team. Add to it that Al Skinner played 12 people last night, and wouldn’t you be in a good mood?
Men’s Basketball
As you know, the men’s basketball team traveled to Blacksburg, Virginia, last night and pummeled a far-overmatched Virginia Tech team. Can anyone remember the last time “BC basketball” and “pummeled” were put in the same sentence in a positive manner? Granted, the Hokies are far from a decent basketball team, but 95-71 is impressive against anyone.
The Eagles, behind 10 points from Troy Bell, nine from Jermaine Watson, and seven from Nate Doornekamp, jumped to a 22-point half time lead. Craig Smith scored 19 of his 25 in the second half to maintain the lead and walk away with an impressive victory. Too bad the game wasn’t on TV, because the Eagles may have finally showed the killer instinct that we have been waiting two years to see.
I do have a couple of comments on the game, though. First, it appears that neither Watson nor Doornekamp attempted a shot after the first twenty minutes. In a tougher game, the Eagles need more consistency from these two role players. Smith, Bell, and Sidney will get their points, but in order for BC to claw its way back into any postseason consideration, the role players will need to contribute on a more consistent basis.
Second, can anyone believe that Skinner played more than seven players? I for one am ecstatic, though in absolute disbelief. The only problem is that doing so raised another question: How can Johnnie Jackson remain on the bench? I know he played in garbage time, but six points in three minutes is very impressive. I mean, he was on pace for 80 if he played all forty minutes. He could have won the game by himself…
Football Recruiting:
I have to give my hat to Tom O’Brien and the Boston College coaching staff. With the job that they have done this season, simply tipping my cap is not enough. They may have assembled the best recruiting class in BC history, as many playmaking QBs, RBs, WRs, and DBs and solid OLs, DLs, and LBs will be joining a strong returning class, promising a bright future for BC football.
They have received 23 verbal commitments, including Brockton High linebacker Tyrone Pruitt, who verballed within the last few hours. The coaching staff and the entire Eagle football program really deserve a lot of credit for the buzz around campus.
As many of you may know, the Boston College Gridiron Club will be holding its annual recruiting reception this coming Wednesday, and EagleInsider will be present to hear first-hand about this wonderful class. We will get the first look at film on BC’s newest football players and we hope to keep the entire EI.com family informed.
Murray’s Fearless Predictions
This weekend features two big games for the Boston College men’s hockey and basketball teams. Tomorrow night, the hockey team hosts UMass-Amherst and on Saturday, the basketball team invades the Hartford Civic Center to take on Connecticut in an important Big East showdown. Then the hockey team opens the 51st Annual Beanpot on Monday against Northeastern and the basketball team returns to Conte Forum versus St. John’s on Wednesday.
Men’s hockey versus UMass-Amherst, Friday:
The Eagles look to avenge their January 3 defeat in Amherst. They are coming off of a disappointing weekend home-and-home against Providence, but they were able to win the second game in Providence. Expect BC to come out strong in this one in front of a full house: Eagles 4, UMass 2.
Men’s basketball at UConn, Saturday, 2:00 pm:
This game is a must-win for the Eagles if they wish to stay alive for postseason play. They played their best game of the season last Saturday in taking Notre Dame to overtime and they blew-out a weak Virginia Tech team, but this game is their biggest game of the year. BC has trouble with high-powered offenses, and UConn is one of them. The Eagles will fight hard, but UConn will be too much: UConn 94, BC 88.
Men’s hockey versus Northeastern, Monday:
Following Friday’s victory over UMass-Amherst, the Eagles will enter this game at the Fleet Center on an emotional high. They will score early and prove to be too much for NU: Eagles 5, NU 3.
Men’s basketball versus St. John’s, Wednesday:
At 9-9, the season is looking bleak for the Eagles, despite seven consecutive strong showings since the Northeastern defeat. Every game is a must-win for them, and this one is no different. In their first home game in over a week, the Eagles will soar: BC 84, SJU 75.
Finally…
Congratulations to the ten members of the football team who were named