With Local Bragging Rights on the Line, Boston College Basketball Meets Harvard Wednesday Night

In another installment of a yearly tradition dating back to the 2008-09 season, Boston College will meet Harvard Wednesday night on Conte Forum in this year’s playing of the Allston-Brighton Derby.

It’s hard not to look at the Harvard game each year with expectation. With BC playing a local foe, it’s not difficult to look through the prism of local bragging rights.

If the intrigue of proximate familiarity isn’t enough to intrigue, perhaps recent history will. Harvard has been a difficult opponent to beat recently, sweeping the Donahue era, only to lose some ground during the current Jim Christian regime. Harvard has had the advantage since 2008-09, with a record of 6-2 over BC.

That’s not to say the Christian era games have been easy. Christian’s first victory against Harvard, in his first year, came in overtime, which went down to the wire after a Harvard comeback in the second half. BC ended up winning that game 64-57.

While Christian’s second year matchup was more decisive than his first, it was not without difficulty. Harvard actually led 20-16 at halftime, but BC was able to take control of the game coming out of the locker room, and BC won 69-56.

If recent history is any indication, Wednesday evening’s game will be a very competitive game between two local rivals. It might be worth your time to tune in.