If you have paid attention to the NBA in the past two weeks, the name on everyone's lips is Jeremy Lin. Out of nowhere, undrafted, this kid out of Harvard has led the New York Knicks to seven straight victories. Everywhere you look now the talk is all "Linsanity." But if you have been following Boston College basketball, Lin has been a name that has haunted Boston College for years.
During his time at Harvard Jeremy Lin was the reason "BC lost to Harvard." For all those stupid jokes Eagles fans were subjected to about losing to an Ivy League School, it was mostly because of Lin. Look at his stat lines from the two games he played against the Eagles:
2008 -- Just days after BC knocked off top ranked North Carolina, the #24th ranked Eagles were stunned at home by the 8-6 Crimson. This was the ultimate buzz kill game. Who killed the Eagles that night? Jeremy Lin of course.
But it was Lin's poise that helped Harvard maintain control down the stretch.
"We were glad we had this opportunity to play them after they took out UNC," Lin said. Lin continually isolated against a number of BC defenders that tried to stop him, driving the lane and setting up teammates.
"He got in a rhythm," Skinner said.
Lin finished the game with 27 points, 8 assists and 6 steals.
2009 -- In a game where Harvard trailed by four at the half, it was Lin who led the Crimson back to beat BC 74-67 at Conte Forum.
"Despite an eight-minute scoring drought, Harvard trailed by just four at the break and the Crimson methodically got back into the game by converting 9-of-12 shots to start the second stanza. A steal and a gliding layup from Lin followed by two free throws made it a 43-42 game with under 13 minutes to play. Another driving layup kept it a one-point affair, 45-44, as he started 6-of-6 from the floor. Those freebies kicked off an 11-0 run that saw Harvard grab a 53-45 lead."
Lin led Harvard with 25 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds.
So when a Lakers or Timberwolves fan asks you "Who is this Lin kid?," you can grimace painfully and remember all those winters he ruined for Boston College basketball.