Boston College 85, North Carolina 78

[BlueintheFace]

BC is up at halftime.... in other news, Rice is unstoppable (especially against UNC each year).

[Newton_14]

This time he actually has some help. The Sanders kid is scoring a lot as well. BC played a solid half..

[bludvlman]

Hopefully BC can keep it up and pull off the stunner. If Duke wins tonight and UNC goes down that means Duke jumps up all the way to number 2 with UConn and Oklahoma losing this week already.

[TaiAdmiral]

Oh man...this would be a SWEET way to come back to Duke in 3 days...with us being above the Tar Holes in ranking.

[RainingThrees]

2nd half will be interesting since the holes are so deep.

[Duvall]

Yeah, because this always works.

[juise]

Yeah, because this always works.

Yeah, this thread almost always means that UNC will prevail.

[sagegrouse]

From the movie Dave--

U.S. President (Kevin Kline) to body double (Kevin Kline): "Don't smile so much -- you look like a schmuck."

sagegrouse

[RainingThrees]

From the movie Dave--

U.S. President (Kevin Kline) to body double (Kevin Kline): "Don't smile so much -- you look like a schmuck."

sagegrouse

funny movie. Gotta love the scene where Dave and the secret service dude were talking about him not wearing only suits.

[BlueintheFace]

Yeah, because this always works.

Yah, alerting people to the fact that a good ACC basketball is on in which most readers might be interested never works. Great Point.

[TaiAdmiral]

Well they're down by 14!....

[arydolphin]

BC leads 70-60, 10 minutes to go.

[Newton_14]

make that 14. ol roy just called a TO to stop the bleeding...

but, i still see the holes coming back and winning..

[BlueintheFace]

9 minutes left and BC is winning by 14. Even if BC loses, I believe this game has exposed a few weaknesses.

[CameronCrazy'11]

make that 14. ol roy just called a TO to stop the bleeding...

but, i still see the holes coming back and winning..

I won't believe it until at least 10 minutes after the final buzzer.

[BlueintheFace]

BC needs to just play great defense and let Rice create for himself and others... but saying it is one thing, doing it is another

[Oriole Way]

Let's assume that UNC makes a 14-pt comeback and beats BC tonight, which is still very possible.

Even with a win against BC, all this talk about UNC going undefeated and being one of the best college teams in years is completely ridiculous. Reason #1: They don't play great defense. Reason #2: They don't have a single player who will be a starter in the NBA.

Reason #1 is why they won't go undefeated, and why they could easily lose in the tournament. Reason #2 is why it's a complete joke that this team is considered among one of the all-time best college teams. This team pales in comparison to their last national championship team just a few years ago, as well as two Duke teams this decade alone - 2000-2001 and 2001-2002. Both Duke teams featured 5 NBA players, all of which have started for NBA teams.

I hope BC can hold on so that all this undefeated talk can stop - I'm not holding my breath. I'll be the first person to sing their praises if they prove me wrong and run the table up until the tournament. But I'll be shocked if they are still undefeated after facing Wake Forest and Duke. Win or lose tonight, UNC is a team that is being grossly and incorrectly hyped by the media.

[Newton_14]

The infamous unc hacking "run" has begun... 5 mins to go.... lead is 11

[Karl Beem]

It's on FSNHD in Atlanta!

[BlueintheFace]

3.5 minutes left. This might come down to free throws boys and girls

[Newton_14]

Composure and foul shooting will get it done.. We will see..

[Newton_14]

just glad its BC and not Clemson who would surely choke it away...

[diveonthefloor]

Don't worry, BC will try to choke...

[RelativeWays]

Don't worry, BC will try to choke...

don't forget some of that famous Carolina home cookin'

[BlueintheFace]

Don't worry, BC will try to choke...

this is true

[Newton_14]

this is true

They are proving you right. The choke job is on

[fan345678]

yep...looks like a Clemsonesque choke job by BC in progress

[BlueintheFace]

yep... choke city

[SMO]

They are proving you right. The choke job is on

Is BC just turning it over? I keep seeing the ball go back to UNC after 10-15 seconds with no shot!?

[Coballs]

Quick, someone perform the Heimlich on BC before the choke is complete.

[SMO]

Is BC just turning it over? I keep seeing the ball go back to UNC after 10-15 seconds with no shot!?

Hans keeps missing free throws too according to ESPN gamecast. This is wild.

[DukePA]

Quick, some perform the Heimlich on BC before the choke is complete.

performing a virtual Heimlich!

[Newton_14]

Is BC just turning it over? I keep seeing the ball go back to UNC after 10-15 seconds with no shot!?

BC cant get a rebound and cant get the ball up the court. Field position is killing them..

[Coballs]

Carolina about to........LOSE!!!!!!!

[SMO]

performing a virtual Heimlich!

Looks more like it might happen!

[Newton_14]

This one is over!!!!!! Undefeated,,, yeah whatever....

[Karl Beem]

HaHaHaHa!

[DukePA]

My first "Heimlich" as a Physician Assistant!!! Success!

[RainingThrees]

Come on bc!!!!!!!!! Close it out!!!!!!!

[Coballs]

UNC at the cellar of the ACC. Happy New Year! Thank you Tyrese Rice.

[FireOgilvie]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Schadenfreude.

[BlueintheFace]

BC Wins!!!

[SMO]

looks more like it might happen!

gthc!
Gthc!
Gthc!

[KyDevilinIL]

Eat on that Holes. Welcome to 2009.

[MChambers]

I don't usually want to see him get what he wants, but this time I'm glad he did.

[TaiAdmiral]

Yaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh gthc gth (es)!!!!

[RainingThrees]

YES!!!!!! If I could I would kiss Tyrese Rice's feet right now. So long perfect season.

[DoubleDuke Dad]

The end of the world is near. The world's greatest team has lost!

[SupaDave]

This is GREAT! See? You gotta play the game!!! Don't matter who's on your team if you can't get in the game.

And WHEN did Danny Green become UNC's 3-point specialist? I especially like that news...

[Coballs]

My first "Heimlich" as a Physician Assistant!!! Success!

Well done, Duke PA.

[Newton_14]

0 and 1 in the conference! How sweet it is! GTHC GTH

[SMO]

BC Wins!!!

I love the smell of league play in the morning.

[CameronBornAndBred]

G'night Gracie! GTHC!!!!

[RelativeWays]

I have a feeling this loss will be as relevant in March as the UMD loss was last year. It will be interesting to see how UNC responds. Maybe Beaker gives a moving (read: corny) post game speech a la Tim Tebow.

[devildownunder]

It's always a different animal. The best thing about this is we shouldn't have to hear any more talk about how UNC is the greatest team since whenever. Other than that, it's just one loss and doesn't mean they're not a good team. It should give our guys and everyone else a little confidence against them, too.

[RaineyDevil]

GO EAGLES.... Go To HELL Carolina!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now its time for the Devils to get a W and lead the conference!

[RainingThrees]

Gotta wear the JJ jersey to school tomorrow. (I live right in heel country) Unless Duke losses.

[AIRFORCEDUKIE]

Well theres my new years wish, I was just reading on ESPN that UNC could be the first team to go undeafeated in a looong time, guess not. Also I wasnt sure if BC was a tourney team or not but that should help a whole lot.

[Hancock 4 Duke]

UNC has lost their first game this season and first home game since a couple years ago when they played Duke. They are now 11-1

[DukieInBrasil]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHA!!
Down goes mighty UNC!!!!!! At HOME!!!!! To BC!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!
Well, they´re not likely to do that too often, but still a chink in the armor has been revealed.....
Plus we´ve started out great against VT, 11-2 as of now.

[roywhite]

I usually hate to see the TV coverage of our game delayed by another game that runs late. However, I think I'll make an exception in this case. :)

[RelativeWays]

I wonder if the baa baa bluesheep on IC have already hung this team out to dry. "GRRR THIS TEAM SUX! I QUIT!"

[RainingThrees]

Go to hell Carolina, go to hell!!

[gadzooks]

I'm positively giddy! Woohoo! GTHC!!!!

[jipops]

I just got the kids to bed to tune into the Duke game. First thing I hear is "BC over UNC". Uhhh, yeah right. Surely someone mis-spoke. Nice that isn't the case.

Looks like the heels still have some defensive issues giving up 85 points at home.

[DukePA]

I have a feeling this loss will be as relevant in March as the UMD loss was last year. It will be interesting to see how UNC responds. Maybe Beaker gives a moving (read: corny) post game speech a la Tim Tebow.

It rocks with relevence at the moment!! GTHC, GTH!!

[UncleBill]

Flipped this game on late in the first half, stayed GLUED to the set. Oh, Happy Day!

[DukePA]

OMG, so CameronBornandBred calls to rave over the game and I have sit there with a straight face and pretend I'm not doing the same. I know my guy didn't fall for it, so I may end up in the dog house with the guys :eek: Do they allow women in the dog house? Regardless, GTHC!!!

[Kdogg]

It's been fifteen years since I've been this happy about a BC win.

Also here's the obligatory "Down goes Frasor" comment. Call me childish, but that never gets old.

[elvis14]

Even with a win against BC, all this talk about UNC going undefeated and being one of the best college teams in years is completely ridiculous.


I have a feeling this loss will be as relevant in March as the UMD loss was last year.


It's always a different animal. The best thing about this is we shouldn't have to hear any more talk about how UNC is the greatest team since whenever. Other than that, it's just one loss and doesn't mean they're not a good team. It should give our guys and everyone else a little confidence against them, too.

I am so happy about this. If we can win tonight, it'll be a great day for my last day of vacation. I could care less about what this means in March. What it means right now is that I can stop listening to all the UNC homers smugly tell me how they think they have a real chance of going undefeated. New Years night I had a UNC fan say to me "I don't think we will have a close game until the tournamet" (he meant the NCAA tourney, not the ACC tourney). I just smiled and took another drink and didn't even bother with him because I know what the ACC season is like.

Plus, my wife is a BC alum so she's happy too!

[taiw93]

Well, there goes my dream of ending UNC's unbeaten streak at Cameron....can't say I'm too bitter about this one though ;)

[SuperSport]

I just got home and flipped the Duke game on and they said something about the UNC game, so i got online and looked and seen that UNC got beat! I LOVE IT!!! Several of my friends and people I go to church with have been bragging about UNV being so great and unstopable. So LOVE IT!!!


Go Duke!!!

[eddiehaskell]

Is the key to slowing down Hansbrough a decently athletic big man (6'10) like Josh Southern? My memory is a little foggy , but seem to recall Hansbrough not being awesome against people like that.

Good win for BC, but they better not relax - they've gotta play Harvard on Wed. :D

[dukemsu]

Well, we're spared all those great old UNLV highlights. Thanks, BC.

I read someone on the board today (can't recall who) saying that UNC was a bad shooting night away from a loss. I figured it would come at Duke or at Wake. Not at home to BC. That has to be a concern for Ol'Roy. No matter how much he preaches defense to these guys, they either have limited interest in playing it or just don't do it consistently well.

Just an opinion, but I think Ol' Roy's philosophy of running constantly and emphasis on the secondary break each lead to a lower emphasis on defense, maybe just as a byproduct of going so fast. This goes back to his days at Kansas-I don't recall their teams being noted for defensive lockdown (Jayhawk, can you clarify?). I recall specific defensive specialists, namely Steve Woodbury, but not a lock-you-up halfcourt defensive emphasis.

Obviously, what Ol' Roy does works and they are still the favorites. But at least we don't have to hear and read the Best Team Ever nonsense for the next three months. Thanks again, Eagles.

dukemsu

[DevilCastDownfromDurham]

Haven't been such a big BC fan since '94. Hope this season turns out something like that one (with one minor difference). Somewhere Elton, Will, and Trajan are popping the champaign like the '72 Dolphins. :rolleyes:

Seriously, this loss means nada in the grand scheme, but it will shut down the "undefeated" talk and it's basically made my weekend. Maybe the missed FT's will slow down Hansbrough's MVP buzz a bit as well.

[dukestheheat]

HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa!

Hahahahahaha!

This is a great day, no doubt. There is great wailing and gnashing of teeth in Hole-land tonight, bet you a 50 stamp!

I think that Carolina's CUPCAKE SCHEDULE over the Christmas break worked against them going into this game. BC comes in, matches and then exceeds the Hole intensity, and the game is O-V-E-R.

They are still the great team, but after the rankings comes out, Duke > Carolina for now.

HAHA.

dth.

[Lulu]

How I love this:

"...Circle the date: Jan. 4, 7, 11, 15, 17, 21, 28, 31; Feb. 3, 7, 11, 15, 18, 21; March 4, 8. Until they lose, if they lose, every single time the Tar Heels step on the floor for a league game, it will be worth watching."

from Dana O'Neil
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=oneil_dana&id=3807593

Sums up all the nonsense so far.

[NYC Duke Fan]

I previously posted a conversation that I was present at with Bill Raferty who said that he and his fellow , " basketball" analysts thought that UNC was head and shoulders better than anyone else this year and would be surprised if they did not win the NCAA tournament.

Well obviously they could still win the tournament, along with several other teams, but they are certainly not head and shoulders above the rest.

They are now equal to others.

Sorry for the previous post

[sagegrouse]

Maybe the missed FT's will slow down Hansbrough's MVP buzz a bit as well.

My instant reaction to Hansbrough in this game is that he stayed a year too long. While there was one egregious call in his favor (Southern's O rebound that was whistled for a foul), the refs didn't buy his act and he looked like a medium-sized college big man surrounded by guys just as good. Looks like H'brough may have to swim by himself this year without the buoyancy of a constant whistle.

sagegrouse

[Jarhead]

What! Why doesn't Time Warner show that in North Carolina. Which is worse, Fox or Time Warner?

[DukeDevilDeb]

UNC has lost their first game this season and first home game since a couple years ago when they played Duke. They are now 11-1

That was when we won LAST SEASON (2008)!!!!

[roywhite]

How I love this:

"...Circle the date: Jan. 4, 7, 11, 15, 17, 21, 28, 31; Feb. 3, 7, 11, 15, 18, 21; March 4, 8. Until they lose, if they lose, every single time the Tar Heels step on the floor for a league game, it will be worth watching."

from Dana O'Neil
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=oneil_dana&id=3807593

Sums up all the nonsense so far.

Good catch. And to think all this was before the Heels had played a single conference game.

[SupaDave]

I wonder if the baa baa bluesheep on IC have already hung this team out to dry. "GRRR THIS TEAM SUX! I QUIT!"

Of course they've found a way to denigrate us to mitigate their own harsh reality...

[dukelifer]

I was monitoring the game on my phone and when I saw BC was up by 14 with 9 or so minutes to go- I just could not bring myself to watch the game. I thought somehow that UNC would eek out a win at home and did not want to watch it. I have no idea what happened but now we know that UNC is beatable. The game against Wake will be VERY interesting. This is a MUST win for UNC and Wake will be sky high. I don;t like the fact that they have a long lay off before their game with UNC- but there is huge pressure on UNC. It will be interesting to see how they handle it. To me the weakness of this team is playing well in big games. One thing I have noticed is that Lawson is not playing as well as he was in the beginning of the season. One wonders if he is not in top shape and is already wearing down- or perhaps not keeping his focus on basketball.

[AtlBluRew]

I'm not at all pleased with the prospect of a Number 1 ranking for UConn. Frankly, I'd rather see Kerlina there than UConn.

[RainingThrees]

I'm not at all pleased with the prospect of a Number 1 ranking for UConn. Frankly, I'd rather see Kerlina there than UConn.

How is UConn #1? They lost this week. Of the top 5 only Duke and Pitt didn't lose this week.

[Wheat/"/"/"]

Well that sucked...and I was having so much fun egging on the undefeated talk...:)

The Heels were outplayed, simple as that. For 3/4 of the game BC owned them, at home no less. If the game was scored on effort, it would have been a BC blow out.

A couple of things I took away from this one...

Same issues with focus as last year. I had hoped they had gotten past that. They waited 'till the last ten minutes to play with urgency, and it bit them in the behind. Give them credit, BC didn't blink. You'd think they would learn. It's one thing to be in control and stay composed and another to get in somebody's space and challenge them, which should happen from the first play not just with ten to go....
The Heel's lack of defensive quickness was exposed in this one. They couldn't stop the dribble penetration, or get to a rebound/loose ball most of the game. To top it off they had a really poor shooting night, from the floor and the line
Add BC shooting it well and protecting the ball and there's the "L".

*Deon really looked slow and played without passion. How the heck does that happen in the conference opener?

*Graves got more burn than I expected, and played hard. If he can get past the Reyshawn Terry type mental errors, he just might surprise some people.

*Lots of chip shots just wouldn't fall, foul shots too...one of those nights.

Wheat/"/"/"
38=1 ? :)

[godukerocks]

I am very happy. Good job Al. Ha ha Tyler.

[DoubleDuke Dad]

I'm not at all pleased with the prospect of a Number 1 ranking for UConn. Frankly, I'd rather see Kerlina there than UConn.

The rankings should be:

1. Pittsburgh
2. Duke!
3. Wake Forest
3. North Carolina
4. Connecticut
6. Oklahoma or Texas

[DoubleDuke Dad]

The rankings should be:

1. Pittsburgh
2. Duke!
3. Wake Forest
3. North Carolina
4. Connecticut
6. Oklahoma or Texas

Change that to:

1. Pittsburgh
2. Duke!
3. Wake Forest
4. North Carolina
5. Connecticut
6. Oklahoma or Texas

[geraldsneighbor]

Rankings in January mean so little its insane. We spent a good amount of time ranked 2nd last year, and if it was up to me I would want us ranked lower and lay low. I think Pitt is the best team right now in the country, and I bet they rank UNC 2, Duke 3 and Wake 4. It speaks volumes for our conference though to have 3 top 4 teams. I am stoked though UNC spotted us a one game lead to start ACC play.

I thought Tyrece Rice's post game comments were really interesting. He is an UNC killer, but he said he hadn't seen anyone match their intensity and stand up to them. They extended their D on UNC and tried to make them make the mistakes, and not allow themselves to be bullied. Really what it did was frustrate Tyler. He went 6-15, came up small at the line and forced his teammates to step up, and they didn't. I'm not exactly sure a blue print was lair out for anyone but making them have 15 turnovers is a big deal.

Awesome stuff though

[DukeCO2009]

This is all kinds of awesome. I was getting sooooo damn tired of hearing ESPN talking heads babble about unc going undefeated. This is sweet, sweet relief.

[Topdevil]

I haven't posted here in several years, but Carolina losing at home to BC certainly rates my coming out of retirement! What a great day - I bought a brand new Macbook this afternoon, and my two favorite teams won - Duke and the team playing Carolina!

Our defense against VT looked very good at times, and I was glad to see the intensity that came after the time out early in the second half. Whatever K said worked, because they blew their doors off after that.

[moonpie23]

well, i guess kent benson and his cohorts all enjoyed their Kristol last night....and the heels have to play WAKE next....

[jv001]

You can bet that unc will not fall like most teams would because they are so loved by the tarhole media. This game just shows how any team can be had if they don't show up. It seems unc has had this problem b4 and I kind of like it. Go Duke!

[FerryFor50]

Is the key to slowing down Hansbrough a decently athletic big man (6'10) like Josh Southern? My memory is a little foggy , but seem to recall Hansbrough not being awesome against people like that.

Good win for BC, but they better not relax - they've gotta play Harvard on Wed. :D


You mean like every single player at the 3, 4 or 5 in the NBA? ;)

Yea, I've noticed the same - he doesn't seem to do as well against guys his own size, even those not as "skilled" as he is. And by skilled, I mean those who can't get away with travelling or charging on a regular basis.

Dude plays hard, but has to be one of the most overrated players of any sport in a long, long time.

[hq2]

Yeah, Handsblow is overrated. This Carolina game reminds me a little of '94 when Carolina had that (too ) talented team that lost to B.C. in the N.C.A.A's
That Carolina team had horrible chemistry; Carolina lost yesterday because B.C. just played better.

[dyedwab]

The Heel's lack of defensive quickness was exposed in this one. They couldn't stop the dribble penetration, or get to a rebound/loose ball most of the game.
38=1 ? :)

To me, this has been the overlooked issue in the media-based coronation of Carolina...and, frankly, for good reason. The Heels play so fast on offense and and completely dominate a higher possession game, that it doesn't look they can be beaten on D by speed. But I only watched the last few minutes and it seemed obvious that the aggressive attack by BC worked because the 1) they made shots and 2) they beat the defense to spots.

But seriously, I was stunned that it was BC at the Dean Dome that handed them their first defeat.

[FerryFor50]

But seriously, I was ecstatic that it was BC at the Dean Dome that handed them their first defeat.

Fixed it for you. :D

[AtlBluRew]

How is UConn #1? They lost this week. Of the top 5 only Duke and Pitt didn't lose this week.

Bless you! I had forgotten all about that! :)

[Matches]

To me, this has been the overlooked issue in the media-based coronation of Carolina...and, frankly, for good reason. The Heels play so fast on offense and and completely dominate a higher possession game, that it doesn't look they can be beaten on D by speed. But I only watched the last few minutes and it seemed obvious that the aggressive attack by BC worked because the 1) they made shots and 2) they beat the defense to spots.



It's about effort. Carolina is prone to lapses on defense. They can outscore just about anyone so it doesn't usually hurt them much, but if the offense is not firing on all cylinders they can be had.

When they finally realized they were in a game last night and began defending aggressively, BC looked completely lost. Had the game been just a minute longer they could've come back, but they woke up too late.

[roywhite]

It's about effort. Carolina is prone to lapses on defense. They can outscore just about anyone so it doesn't usually hurt them much, but if the offense is not firing on all cylinders they can be had.

When they finally realized they were in a game last night and began defending aggressively, BC looked completely lost. Had the game been just a minute longer they could've come back, but they woke up too late.

Just speculating a little here, but shouldn't the Heels have recognized they "were in a game" due to:
BC was up at halftime and led most of the game
This was the first conference game of the season; isn't that incentive?

Anomaly or over-rated?
I kind of like the over-rated, bad chemistry, don't like to play defense theory. :)

[Matches]

Just speculating a little here, but shouldn't the Heels have recognized they "were in a game" due to:
BC was up at halftime and led most of the game
This was the first conference game of the season; isn't that incentive?



Well, *I* didn't believe it until right near the end. My dad called me at halftime to tell me they were losing and I completely shrugged it off. "Oh that'll change. They'll pull away." It looked to me like they assumed the same thing.

[Devilsfan]

Ol'Roy in a spark of his brilliance had his team fly to NEVADA for a New Years' eve game and red-eye it back home.

[roywhite]

Ol'Roy in a spark of his brilliance had his team fly to NEVADA for a New Years' eve game and red-eye it back home.

So they play a game Weds. evening 12/31 and get back home by Thursday morning 1/1. They next play Sunday evening 1/4. Jet lag??

BC also played on Weds. 12/31 and traveled from Boston for this game.

Are some of the light blue seriously blaming this loss on travel fatigue?

[jv001]

So they play a game Weds. evening 12/31 and get back home by Thursday morning 1/1. They next play Sunday evening 1/4. Jet lag??

BC also played on Weds. 12/31 and traveled from Boston for this game.

Are some of the light blue seriously blaming this loss on travel fatigue?

You know the light blue fans, any excuse, any excuse..the refs did it, ole roy did not call enough timeouts, etc..etc..Go Duke!

[Richard Berg]

To me, this has been the overlooked issue in the media-based coronation of Carolina...and, frankly, for good reason. The Heels play so fast on offense and and completely dominate a higher possession game, that it doesn't look they can be beaten on D by speed.
Except, you know, when they are. 40-12 anyone? How easily they forget.

[Kedsy]

Well that sucked...and I was having so much fun egging on the undefeated talk...:)

The Heels were outplayed, simple as that. For 3/4 of the game BC owned them, at home no less. If the game was scored on effort, it would have been a BC blow out.


Hey, Wheat. I wanted to say it's pretty classy of you to come to a Duke board after what had to be a painful loss.

[houstondukie]

No way the NCAA committe gives the ACC 3 #1 seeds, especially given the media lovefest for the Big East, but 2 is very possible (between UNC, DUKE, and WAKE FOREST).

I say, 10%.

What if Wake beats UNC this sunday and UNC starts the ACC 0-2?

25%

Before the loss to Boston College?

0.999%

[ncexnyc]

It's not where you start, but where you finish that counts.;)