Eagles 62, Wolverines 58 (But Down Goes the ACC)
Brian: Corey Raji had a huge game as the Eagles went into Crisler Arena and knocked off the Michigan Wolverines 62-58. Raji finished with 24 points and 9 rebounds, while Trapani registered his first double-double of the season (11 points, 12 rebounds). Going into this game, no one really expected BC to have a chance to beat Michigan without Rakim Sanders. Here is what Michigan coach John Beilein had to say about the game.
"This is obviously a pretty good team, or we're really a bad team ... There was never a doubt who the better team was out there today."
I think this game's result was due to a little of A) and a little of B). The Eagles put together a good game but the Wolverine shot very poorly from the field (32.3 percent from the field and 26.5 percent from 3-point range). Taking a ten point lead into halftime, BC used a 7-0 run to start the second half to put the game out of reach. I think the biggest surprise was the edge that the Eagles had in rebounding. BC outrebounded Michigan 41-26. Even though Michigan mostly plays with a four guard set, I was surprised at how successful the Eagles were on the glass.
Despite BC’s win in Ann Arbor, the ACC ends up losing their first ACC-Big Ten Challenge - 6 games to 5. BC is now the only program that is undefeated in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge (BC is 4-0). Duke’s loss to Wisconsin is the Blue Devils lone blemish in the eleven ACC-Big Ten Challenges. In your opinion, which result in the Challenge was most surprising? And which program’s performance was the most disappointing?
Jeff: I would have to say that Duke losing to Wisconsin was the most surprising and disappointing lost. Duke was the highest ranked ACC school this week and even got a #1 vote. The best team in the ACC should be able to beat a team that probably isn't the best Big Ten team and Duke trailed the entire game.
Brian: I'll agree with you that the Duke result was the most surprising, but you have to go with the Clemson loss to Illinois as the most disappointing. The Tigers led by 20 at halftime, and led by 23 with 16:43 to go. The Illini used a 21-1 run in a span of a little more than 4 minutes to close the gap on the Tigers. The win is the greatest comeback in Illini basketball history. The Tigers were a ranked team at home and couldn't close out the Illini. Certainly this has to be the most disappointing result simply based on the way the game unfolded.
Help put the conference’s first loss in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge in perspective. In the grand scheme of things, does it even matter?
Jeff: This means absolutely nothing. It matters for conference RPI but we lost 5-6 so winning 6-5 would not have had much effect on RPI in the end. Hats off to the Big Ten who is always at a disadvantage to the ACC since the ACC gets to play every team except the worst team from the previous season.
0 recs |
10 comments
|
Comments
the last team in the acc
georgia tech probably would have beat the big ten team that was given to them.
Either way big away win for the team, and hopefully we have Rakim back soon. I still did not think we did a good job breaking the press, but there’s still time and Rakim can handle the ball. Loved our team for the first 8 mins of the game, we really got after it.
Siena was a tourney team
I think we’ll have a good season. We’ve played all our tourney teams tough thus far. USC is tomorrow night.
This new learning amazes me, Sir Bedevere. Explain again how sheep's bladders may be employed to prevent earthquakes.
question for raj
raj, can rakim handle the ball? i know that he does, but i always feel… uneasy when hes trying to break the press. i remember thinking last year he had to work on it big time. maybe he has.
i am really curious what this team does on the boards when we play a bigger team.
also, it kills me when michigan would get out in transition on a defensive board. gotta get back on d.
rakim's handle
Rakim’s got some ball handling skills, but the other thing that helps is his confidence. Would i rather have him there, or roche, or trapani. I’d take rakim everytime. Again remember Rakim is a big dude, so he’s not going to have guard type handle, but id say he has better handle than sean marshall. (is that saying much?)
The main problem with everyone except biko is trying to do too much when you have the ball. At one point, Reggie tried to beat three guys off the dribble. Unacceptable. Look for the pass.
Rakim is probably one of the last guy I want breaking the press.
Well, other than Southern or Dunn. Jackson tries to do too much with the ball. I feel uneasy when anyone has it other than Biko, really.
wait a second
you mean you dont love trapani as the inbounder taking the ball up the court to break the zone press?!
Trapani is my boy, but ...
Leave the press break to the guards … well … just Biko, until Reggie stops trying to do too much.

by 








