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Previewing and Predicting Boston College and Texas Tech

How will the Eagles fare in the first true test of their season?

NCAA Basketball: Notre Dame at Boston College Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Boston College (3-0, 0-0 ACC) has rattled off three straight blowout wins to open the season in games that have seen every member of the starting five contribute. The Eagles now face their first true test of the season this afternoon against the Texas Tech Red Raiders (2-0, 0-0 Big XII). The Raiders come into this game averaging just a hair under 80 points per game, led by guard duo Keenan Evans and Zhaire Smith (sound like a familiar situation?).

Keys to Beating the Bulldogs

Texas Tech is noticeably larger than the teams BC has played so far, with multiple players 6’10 and above. Controlling the glass will be much more difficult and even more necessary for Nik Popovic, Teddy Hawkins, and Steffon Mitchell than it was in the games against an undersized Sacred Heart and South Carolina State. TTU is also shooting nearly 40% from three as a team, something that does not bode well given the Eagles’ early season tendency to allow teams to get open threes. SC State and Maine had good looks from deep in their games against BC and simply could not convert. Texas Tech will not be as kind. Lastly, Ky Bowman and Jerome Robinson need to produce. Bowman cannot be finding his scoring stroke in the second half. He needs to come out hot.

Predictions:

Matt: 68-59 Eagles. Tough first test, but it's a different team this year

Katie: 80-72 Tech. Hate to be pessimistic but I see them dropping this one.

Toppin: 72-70 BC. I think Bowman and Robinson find their stroke early

Hoff: Texas Tech 73 BC 68

Food and Non-alcoholic Beverage to enjoy during the game

I have mono, so this non-alcoholic beverage is especially important today. We’re going to go with Virgil’s Root Beer because the first “real” game deserves the best. For food, as long as we’re going with the best, pick up something from Regina’s pizzeria because as far as I can tell that’s the best pizza I’ve had in Boston. Argue with me below.

Follow Us on Twitter for Coverage During the game

Matt O’Neil

Toppin

BCI

Hoff

Katie