Football
Twelve prospects with something to prove in Indianapolis (NFL.com)
Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College: One of the most productive tacklers in NCAA history (coming up just short of the NCAA records for single-season and career stops) looks to disprove the sentiment that he lacks the athleticism to be a top-20 pick.
Setting the combine agenda (ESPN Boston)
Local players won't be overlooked. Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly is the top-rated New England prospect scheduled to attend the combine. Last year, BC linebacker Mark Herzlich stole the show from a media perspective with a captivating news conference. A linebacker-needy team like the Eagles (picking 15th in the first round) figures to closely watch Kuechly.
BC's super productive Kuechly eager to show numbers can translate to NFL (NFLDraftScout.com)
"He might be the safest player in the draft, to be honest with you," one high-level scout said. "You look at his stats and you think there is no way that he can be in on that many tackles but when you watch the tape, he is. Just an incredibly instinctive player who is always around the action. I'm not so sure he's going to test well or fits in every scheme, but he's a hell of a player who can be the quarterback of your defense for the next 10 years because of his leadership and preparation."
2012 NFL Mock Draft has Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin going in first two picks (SI.com)
This should be the perfect first-round melding of team need and draft slot value for the Eagles, because one of their glaring deficiences for a while now has been for a player who possesses Keuchly's skill set. He's a smart and instinct tackler who has the ability to read and react and find the ballcarrier. He's a tough player and a natural leader, and he should fit perfectly in the hard-nosed NFC East.
Olympic Sports
Baseball Travels to No. 19 UCF (BCEagles.com)
Last year in Orlando, UCF shutout BC, 18-0, on March 9, jumping ahead to an early 11-0 lead. Five different Eagles pitched in the game. UCF is the fourth team the Eagles have faced in 2012 that made the 2011 NCAA Tournament. The Knights went 1-2 in the Tallahassee Regional, where Florida State advanced out. BC plays eight more teams that were tournament bound last year.
Eagles to visit for weekend series (Central Florida Future)
"Boston College is a great team. … For Boston College to come out, right away, and win those three games on the road certainly tells you that they have an outstanding club," head coach Terry Rooney said. "I can tell you this: These next [three] games we are going to have to play very well to put ourselves in a position to win."
Norris, de Jager Named to All-ACC Academic Team (BCEagles.com)
"Both Maike and Paige exemplify the ACC expectations for their student-athletes, and this award certainly supports their endeavors and accomplishments, both on the field and in the classroom," head coach Ainslee Lambsaid. "We are very proud that this honor has been bestowed on both of them and it certainly recognizes two standout student- athletes."
Hockey
The Weekend Ahead Hockey East 2-23 (College Hockey News)
Boston College has officially molded into its usual self coming down the stretch and is one of the hottest teams in college hockey. Providence continues to hold onto the sixth place spot in the Hockey East standings and is currently on a four game unbeaten streak after tying two games last weekend with Northeastern. Boston College won the first meeting of these teams 4-1, in December.
Noble & Greenough's Calnan commits to BC (ESPN Boston)
"Chris is an incredibly hard worker who works as hard off of the ice as he does on the ice to be the best player that he can be," [head coach Brian] Day said. "Watching him play it is easy to see how athletic he is. He is a big, strong, fast player who uses his size and his speed to his full advantage. He has an excellent shot and a willingness to work to get the puck in the dirty areas of the ice.
Team of the Week: Boston College (College Hockey News)
In addition, defenseman Brian Dumoulin continues to be among the best defensemen in Hockey East, offering a rare combination of staunch defense and good transitional play. "He seems to be getting better as I watch him play each week," coach Jerry York said of his top two-way defender. "His defensive play is phenomenal. He’s always had good offensive skills, but his defensive game has really improved this year."
INCH 4×4 Version 1.0: Feb. 23, 2012 (Inside College Hockey)
Seems like BC and Miami manage to run into each other in the NCAAs more often than not, so might as well throw them into the same regional, right? The Lowell-Miami match features two of country’s best goalies. Nice reward for UML and its fans to stay close to home.
Courtney Kennedy Named Assistant Coach for U.S. Women's National U18 Team (BCEagles.com)
Boston College women’s ice hockey Assistant Coach Courtney Kennedy was named an assistant for the U.S. Women’s National Under-18 Team in an announcement made on Wednesday afternoon by USA Hockey.