Boston College Daily Links: "Nothing To See Here" Regarding Division IV

Recapping the first round of the Boston College GIF of the Year 2014 Tournament here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here. "Just Short" is going all the way, btw.

NCAA's Mark Emmert says reformers 'not that far apart' (USA Today)

"Though Emmert said he understood that "some people wouldn't mind exploring" a so-called Division 4 for the five wealthiest leagues plus independent Notre Dame – a possibility Slive raised again last month following the SEC spring meetings – the focus instead remains an autonomous structure for those schools that would give them voting independence over a range of specific issues."

You may have heard talk of a Division IV, where the nation's top five conferences and Notre Dame break away from Division I and form their own NCAA subdivision. Basically, it wouldn't be all that different from today, except that it seriously screws up the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. So ... that's not happening.

The idea of a Division IV is just a bargaining chip and empty threat by the five major conference commissioners to be given the autonomy to address specific issues related to the legal challenges threatening the NCAA. That will happen, possibly as soon as later this summer.

Louisville Nearly Landed In A Big East/Big 12 Hybrid (Card Chronicle)
On the conference realignment front, it's interesting to see just how close Louisville came from ending up in a hybrid Big East/Big 12 conference. Louisville bros are understandably happy that this didn't come to fruition:

It's truly remarkable that after all these close calls, near misses and near settles, U of L wound up in what I think we can all agree is the best possible place for it to be. July 1 should legitimately be a city-wide holiday. It should involve a parade, a Gorgui Dieng concert and Tom Jurich being fed grapes while sitting on a human throne of lesser athletic directors. Three guesses on who gets to be the base.

An East Division of UConn, Cincinnati, Rutgers, West Virginia, South Florida and UCF. That's ... not too far off from where the American Athletic Conference ultimately landed.

A pair of former Boston College Eagles / New York Giants made headlines on Wednesday:

Giants LB Mark Herzlich continues to use his magic touch (NJ.com)

But, Herzlich isn't your normal pro athlete. That's obvious as he works the room, first with a speech that inspires, then by taking questions, telling stories (including a great one about his dad and the last play of Super Bowl XLVI), signing books and taking pictures with fans, most of whom take the opportunity to slip on his Super Bowl ring. Sporadically throughout the evening, there are dabs of the eyes to wipe away tears.

Andre Williams on new Giants role, playbook, New Jersey life (SBNation.com)
New Giants RB Andre Williams reflects on being drafted by New York and his time thus far with his new team.

Meet Kat Cooper From The Women's Basketball Team (BCEagles.com)
Kat Cooper is a small forward and off-guard for the Boston College women's basketball team. A native of Washington, Cooper played in 30 games and started 25 while averaging 8.7 points and 3.1 rebounds this past season. The red-shirt junior sat down during her first summer session to talk about the basketball team, questions about her game, the team and Boston College.

Boston College ends drought for Jimmy Martin with his fifth offer (Orlando Sentinel)
"I called them this morning and they offered and I'm really excited," said Martin, who was on his way to a camp at Vanderbilt when he was offered. "It's a great relief. I knew not having a lot of options since last summer, we'd have to do a lot of these camps this summer. "It's been a little stressful at times but I'm excited where we are right now. There is only good that can come out of it."

Wake Forest Football Recruiting: Quarterback Kendall Hinton Commits to Wake Forest (Blogger So Dear)
The consensus 3-star prospect choses Wake Forest over Duke and N.C. State. Also held a Boston College offer picked up on April 8, though unclear where that offer stood following Elijah Robinson's verbal commitment.

Boston College expert Eva Garroutte calls ad against Redskins name ‘well-conceived’ (For The Win)
Just change the name already. / ducks