The Eagles basketball team keeps rolling, this time taking care of Indiana 88-76 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. With the win, BC moves to 5-0 all-time in the Challenge and is the last remaining unbeaten from either conference in the Challenge.
Reggie Jackson had another big game, recording 27 points, 5 boards and 4 assists to pace the Eagles. Jackson has scored in double figures in all but one of the Eagles games this year.
Joe Trapani, on the other hand, has continued to struggle (despite his 12 second half points against Cal) and looks a bit lost on the court. He only scored 9 points -- 7 coming in the second half -- and doesn't appear to be comfortable when he's on the floor with a smaller lineup. In certain offensive sets when BC is looking for an open look from 3, Trapani just doesn't get the ball on those trips down the floor. Hopefully Donahue can figure out a way of getting Trapani more points, because he can be an effective scorer if used properly.
More (slightly more informed) takes on the game:
Likes and Dislikes: the Indiana win ... Eagle In Atlanta
BC beats Indiana; wins 5th straight Challenge game ... Soaring To Glory
Boston College 88, Indiana 76: Corey Raji Scores 1,000th Point In Eagles' Win ... SB Nation Boston
The Three-Pointer: Reggie Jackson leads BC over Indiana ... The BC Blog
The Four Factors: Boston College ... Inside The Hall
Boston College 88, Indiana 76 ... The Hoosier Scoop
About that unbeaten ACC/Big Ten Challenge streak. Sure, the Eagles were able to keep their unbeaten streak alive, but that winning streak rings a bit hollow given the opponents the Eagles have faced in their five Challenge games. Much like our bowl opponents over BC's seven straight bowl victories, BC tends to draw middle-of-the-pack to lousy Big Ten opponents in the Challenge each year due partly to the Eagles' previous years' record and ESPN's desire to set up marquee matchups between the more nationally recognized programs. Because BC is, well, BC, we end up playing down to Big Ten teams that are either rebuilding or just not all that good. To be fair, however, I'm not sure how the Eagles haven't drawn the Nittany Lions yet. And I'm sure a Challenge matchup with Nebraska is in the cards in the not-too-distant future.
Here's a look at BC's wins in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge with final kenpom rankings in parenthesis:
2006: W 65-58 Michigan State (15)
2007: W 77-64 at Michigan (112)
2008: W 57-55 Iowa (91)
2009: W 62-58 at Michigan (63)
2010: W 88-76 Indiana (62)
Currently at 62 in the kenpom rankings, Indiana is already the second best win for the Eagles in the Challenge. Michigan State was a solid win, though it was at home in 2006, but the rest of BC's three wins really haven't done much for their postseason tournament resumes. The two road trips to Michigan really didn't do a whole lot, and the Iowa win at home wasn't that great either. Hopefully Indiana can keep winning games so this win looks better towards the end of the season as BC's postseason tournament destination options improve (CBI? NIT? Dare I say NCAA?)