Boston College Men’s Basketball vs Duke: How to Watch

GAME DAY FACTS

WHO

Duke Blue Devils (11-0, 0-0 ACC)

VS

Boston College Eagles (6-3, 0-0 ACC)

WHAT

The top ranked Blue Devils come to town this afternoon to open up ACC play. Duke is off to an 11-0 start to their season, with a 57-point victory over St. Francis earlier this week. The loss of Teddy Hawkins was made official this week, which should make it all the more difficult to contain to contain freshman phenom Marvin Bagley III. Bagley has averaged just under 22 points with 11 rebounds so far this season. The coaching staff has had a full week to prepare for the Blue Devils and for replacing Hawkins’ minutes… but both will be tall orders.

WHERE

Conte Forum, Chestnut Hill, MA

WHEN

Saturday, December 9, 2017

Tipoff at Noon

TOYS FOR TOTS

If you’re heading to Conte today, make sure to take part in the Toys for Tots drive. You can make your donation of a new, unwrapped toy at gates B and C.

HOW TO WATCH

ESPN on your tv, or stream at WatchESPN.

HOW TO LISTEN

Listen with Jon Meterparel and Danya Abrams on BC IMG Sports Network (WEEI 850 AM in the Boston area).

HOW TO FOLLOW ALONG ON TWITTER

Follow @bcinterruption for game coverage, and check out the BC men’s basketball account @BCMBB.

Follow our men’s basketball writers at @choppintoppin, @mattoneil55, @yourfriendktb, and @EJHoffses

BC’s BEST CHANCE TO WIN

Short of hoping that Duke’s bus gets stuck in the snow, BC’s path to victory looks pretty rocky. The loss of Teddy Hawkins is a very hard pill to swallow since he would presumedly have been tasked with defending Bagley. Steffon Mitchell and the rest of the front court will need to have a big afternoon without getting themselves into foul trouble. The scoring pressure is turned up for Jerome Robinson and Ky Bowman, but I still think that the key to this one is team defense. In recent games, the Eagles’ defense has looked, well, soft. If there was ever a time to start playing some hard-nosed D, this is it. If they can pressure Duke into some turnovers, keep them from establishing their offensive rythym, and grab some easy fast breaks points, then BC just might be able to hang in this one.