Boston College Basketball: Final Thoughts and Predictions, UMass-Lowell

Based on the festivities related to the O'Neil Plaza tree lighting going on around me while I type this article (what's the opposite of a social butterfly), the Christmas season is slowly coming upon us. Before most of the student body leaves campus to return to their respective homes, the Boston College Eagles play two more games at home. The first of these two games is against the UMass Lowell River Hawks, and it will be played Sunday afternoon.

Did BC Win Last Time Out?

What To Watch For:

1. The Power Play Closing Out the Perimeter: The Eagles have been playing with fire not picking up people around the perimeter. The issue manifested against the Penn State Nittany Lions, with sophomore guard Shep Garner exploiting the BC defense. UMass-Lowell is averaging 8.8 three pointers made per game, so it is something the Eagles need to keep an eye on.
2. Staying out of the Penalty Box Dominate The Boards: UMass Lowell has been collectively out-rebounded this year, though not by a large margin. Meanwhile, BC has struggled profoundly getting rebounds. This might be a good opportunity to right the ship.
3. Watching the offsides Not falling into a scoring drought: If there could be one thing said about the Eagles offense, is that it is prone to scoring droughts. The Eagles struggled in the last seven minutes of the game against Penn State. That needs to change.
4. Not confusing this with hockey (IMPORTANT): This is a game that is played on hardwood, not frozen water. Not confusing the two will be incredibly crucial.

Random, Possible Incorrect Fact from UMass Lowell's Wikipedia Page

Bonnie Comley is an alumna.

I was hoping you knew who she was.

Non-Alcoholic Beverage of the Game

Hot Chocolate

Whose brilliant idea was it to write this thing outside? I'm so cold. Someone send help. Or at least a blanket.

Rating the River Hawk Mascot

What is a River Hawk? 6/10, though the grade was curved.

Who Would Win In A Fight, A Riverhawk or Eagle?

Seriously, what is a Riverhawk? Eagles win by forfeit (re: nonexistent species)

Final Thoughts And Predictions

I thought BC would be in trouble after the Santa Clara, but the effort against Penn State reassured me that the abject futility was a fluke. Not saying much more than that but at least BC should win this game BC 70-55.