:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/9735153/20130314_jdm_sx1_016.0.jpg)
It was definitely not the start that the Boston College Eagles were looking for. They couldn't hit a shot and Georgia Tech burst out of the gates and jumped out to a 15-0 lead. And then BC started to get it going. After the 15-0 start, the Eagles went on an 84-49 run.
GT looked in full control of this game for the first five minutes.
And then Olivier Hanlan happened.
The ACC Rookie of the Year exploded for a career-high 41 points. He shot 14 of 18 from the field and connected on 8 of 10 three pointers. None of those numbers are typos. After Georgia Tech's hot start, they outscored Hanlan by just eight points, 49 to 41. I wrote about Hanlan earlier in the season and knew that he had this type of talent, but this was just a special special game.
GT gave him open looks and he stuck every single one of them. And then they started to really focus on Hanlan and he took a backseat for a little while. He allowed the rest of his teammates to play within the offense and got his points as the game went along. At a certain point in just got ridiculous and he couldn't miss. Go to the gym and try to shoot 8 of 10 from behind the three-point line. It's very difficult. Now try that with ACC players jumping at your face.
Hanlan set a number of records, including the most points in an ACC tournament first-round game. He set the record for most points by an freshman in ACC history. It was just a remarkable performance.
But beyond Olivier's ridiculous game, BC thoroughly dominated the Yellow Jackets after that initial run. BC shot 51% from the field and held GT to just 32.4% shooting. It was a total performance with virtually no flaws, outside of those first five minutes. Joe Rahon, Ryan Anderson, and Patrick Heckmann all scored in double figures. BC committed just 11 turnovers and had 17 assists.
The Eagles will play the #1 seed Miami Hurricanes at noon on Friday.