Brian: The Eagles were able to survive Bryant on Wednesday night, defeating the Bison 84-80. The Eagles are now winners of seven straight and snapped a Bucknell four-game winning streak which included a victory over Donahue's former team, Cornell.
The win also snapped a four-game streak where the Eagles wound up getting out-rebounded by each of their last four opponents. BC won the battle of the boards 30-28.
Before the Bucknell win, BC was out-rebounded by 29 against Bryant, Maryland, Providence and UMass. On the season, BC has been outrebounded 335-309, and 121-89 on the offensive glass.
Can the Eagles keep winning despite getting beat on the boards this year? Your thoughts?
Jeff: I am certainly concerned about our team's lack of size and depth. Fortunately, we have a style of play now that we can beat teams that are better overall than us with just a good night of shooting. If we shoot poorly, we can probably lose to anyone as well but I do like that this team at least has a chance to beat a lot of teams on their schedule the rest of the season. I don't know how many wins the team will finish with but I'd be surprised if this team doesn't hit a 3 or 4 game skid in ACC play at some point due to their size and depth deficiencies.
Brian: BC's next opponent, Rhode Island, has a 6-foot-8 forward, Delroy James, who is averaging 20+ points per game and 7.4 boards a game. Rhody also has a 7-foot center averaging 8 and 6. I'm definitely concerned about a lack of size in the front court when ACC play comes around, but I'm also concerned about losing the battle of the boards in BC's next game on the road.
Josh Southern has been playing lights out against smaller opponents, but URI will be a real test for Southern, Dunn, Trapani and the BC "big men."
Big Finish
Brian: BC and Bucknell played in front of a listed crowd of 4,116, the fourth lowest attendance of the season. Will BC play in front of a smaller crowd the rest of the season?
Jeff: Three days before Christmas is a recipe for disaster, so I will say no.
Jeff: Is NCAA being soft on Tyrelle Pryor by only suspending him five games?
Brian: Soft, no. Inconsistent, yes. If you are suspended for five games, shouldn't that start with the Sugar Bowl?
Brian: The BC women's team lost their first game of the season, losing to Michigan 68-55. Do the women rebound in their next game against Northeastern?
Jeff: Absolutely.
Jeff: Anthony Castonzo is poised to break Gosder Cherilus' consecutive start record with his 54th straight start in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl. Your thoughts?
Brian: Castonzo has been a great player for the Eagles. It's just too bad that things didn't quite go to plan this year with his Rhodes Scholarship candidacy and some inconsistent line play to start the season.
Brian: Michigan is planning on opening up the Big House for 50 yard-line weddings, corporate events and parties. Future revenue stream for BC's Alumni Stadium?
Jeff: The Big House is not equal to Alumni. No.
Jeff: Mark Jones, Bob Davie and Rod Gilmore will have the call the Fight Hunger Bowl for ESPN. Your thoughts?
Brian: Bob Davie? Ugh.
Brian: Last one. Maryland sold out its 10,000-ticket allotment to the Military Bowl this week. Could BC have sold 10k to the DC-based bowl?
Jeff: Yes. Unfortunately we didn't get to see whether BC would have but I do think they would have.
Bowl Pick'Em Week 2
Through six games, Jeff and I are all knotted at 4 wins a piece (4-2 overall against the spread).
Brian:
Hawaii Bowl: Tulsa vs. Hawaii -10
Little Caesars Bowl: Florida International vs. Toledo -1.5
Independence Bowl: Georgia Tech +3 vs. Air Force
Champs Sports Bowl: West Virginia -2.5 vs. N.C. State
Insight Bowl: Missouri -2.5 vs. Iowa
Military Bowl: East Carolina vs. Maryland -7.5
Texas Bowl: Illinois +1 vs. Baylor
Alamo Bowl: Arizona vs. Oklahoma State -5.5
Armed Forces Bowl: Army vs. SMU -7
Pinstripes Bowl: Kansas State pk vs. Syracuse
Music City Bowl: North Carolina -2 vs. Tennessee
Holiday Bowl: Washington +14 vs. Nebraska
Meineke Car Care Bowl: South Florida +6 vs. Clemson
Sun Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Miami -3
Jeff:
Hawaii Bowl: Tulsa vs. Hawaii -10
Little Caesars Bowl: Florida International vs. Toledo -1.5
Independence Bowl: Georgia Tech vs. Air Force -3
Champs Sports Bowl: West Virginia vs. N.C. State +2.5
Insight Bowl: Mizzouri -2.5 vs. Iowa
Military Bowl: East Carolina vs. Maryland -7.5
Texas Bowl: Illinois +1 vs. Baylor
Alamo Bowl: Arizona vs. Oklahoma State -5.5
Armed Forces Bowl: Army vs. SMU -7
Pinstripe Bowl: Kansas State vs. Syracuse pk
Music City Bowl: North Carolina -2 vs. Tennessee
Holiday Bowl: Washington vs. Nebraska -14
Meineke Car Care Bowl: South Florida vs. Clemson -6
Sun Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Miami -3
Merry Christmas/Holiday of Choice!