Before the Eagles even tip off with the Texas A&M Aggies in their first game of the 2010 Old Spice Classic, the field for BC's 2011 early season tournament was announced on Wednesday.
Coach Donahue's Eagles will be playing in the 2011 76 Classic, along with New Mexico (Mountain West), Oklahoma (Big 12), Saint Louis (A-10), Santa Clara (WCC), Villanova (Big East), Washington State (Pac 12) and a Big West team to be named later.
The event will be held over Thanksgiving weekend, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, November 24, 25 and 27 in Anaheim.
BC fans have to be excited about the possibility of facing Villanova for the first time since the heartbreaking 2006 Sweet 16 loss to our former Big East rivals. BC may also get the chance to play fellow Jesuit schools Santa Clara and Saint Louis in next year's tournament.
The Eagles and Wildcats have faced one another 77 times on the hardwood, a series that dates back to the 1945-1946 season. Other than Villanova, however, BC has little history with the other five announced teams. BC has played a combined four games all-time versus '11 76 Classic teams not named Villanova.
Here is a look at the Eagles' series records against the six other announced teams:
Villanova: Wildcats lead 53-24
Saint Louis: Series tied 1-1; last meeting during 2007-08 season
Santa Clara: Eagles lead 1-0; lone meeting in 1991-92
Washington State: Eagles lead 1-0; lone meeting in 1993-94
New Mexico: No meetings
Oklahoma: No meetings