BC Football 2013: Depth Chart Version 1.0 (Defensive Starters)

The Silva Monkey has awoken from its slumber!  It is with a heavy heart that I am moving away from the Kelly Clarkson countdown. I did not want to do it, as it was a fan favorite of many of our readers, but as the great Frank Spaziani once said “It is what it is.”  Let’s pretend we are Steve Addazzio (“The Dazzler”) and Don Brown for a second and set the defensive depth chart for the first time. Yeah, I know it’s June 1st, but I am bored at work and this is what I’m doing. This depth chart is my own personal stab in the dark based on information I have gathered from BC’s spring football roster, recruiting sites, and statistics from last season. In no way does this reflect what the actual depth chart will look like.  Then again, you already knew that. If I am 75% accurate, we can all call me a genius. I know I will. Here we go.

“Behind These Hazel Eyes”: NCAA Tournament of Coulda-Shoulda-Wouldas

Kelly Clarkson? U damn right it is! For the next two weeks, her stylings will lead us through the Top 10 moments in Boston College sports since we’ve the last time you’ve heard from us here at The Shrine of the Silva Monkey. The series continues Tuesday with No. 9: “Behind These Hazel Eyes”

Coincidentally, “Behind These Hazel Eyes” was actually the single to come immediately after “Since U Been Gone” in Kelly Clarkson’s career. Have no fear, it is merely a coincidence. I have no desire to take you through Clarkson’s career step by step. At least not yet. This song is however, one of her most powerful works, playing off of a failed relationship to great success — something she does almost as well as basketball players that leave Boston College and invariably find far greener pastures elsewhere.

Do I relate to this song because I too, have hazel eyes? Maybe a little bit. Do I also relate because after four rounds of Brady Heslip draining dagger threes, “I don’t cry on the outside…anymore…anymore”? Well yeah, a little of that too.

“Since U Been Gone”: UConn, the ACC, and Conference Insanity

Kelly Clarkson? U damn right it is! For the next two weeks, her stylings will lead us through the Top 10 moments in Boston College sports since we’ve the last time you’ve heard from us here at The Shrine of the Silva Monkey. Monday starts the series with No. 10: “Since U Been Gone”

So why did I choose Ms. Clarkson you might ask? Is it because I occasionally often find my self bumping to some of her tunes alone in my apartment? Partly. But it is most likely because every other song of hers seems to be about a different wide emotional turn in a nearly always frustrating, yet sometimes uplifting relationship. In other words, the emotional roller coaster that the songwriting genius of the original American Idol takes us on is a far more perfect metaphor for being a fan of Boston College sports than I could ever come up with on my own.

“Since U Been Gone” is the perfect song to start the list, because well, so much has happened “Since [WE] Been Gone.” At the very bottom of that list comes the new ACC TV deal and the conference realignment discussions that last longer than a John Oates’ shooting slump.

Finding a Cornerstone: The Emergence of Ryan Anderson

This week, with the clock ticking down on the men’s basketball season at Boston College, it’s time to look back at this freshman-laden team and see what came out of a season that often seemed lost. As long as the Eagles ACC Tournament run lasts — and probably a few days after — I’ll be waxing poetic on what worked, what didn’t and what BC could do to improve next season. One day after elimination, the focus shifts to the good that came from this season. When talking about the good with this team, it all starts and ends with Ryan Anderson.

When the ACC announced its season-ending all-conference teams, Boston College was understandably lacking registration. Four conference wins and a basement finish don’t lead to many trips around the awards’ circuit. Where the Eagles did pick up their one nod was a surprise to absolutely nobody. Right up there along side 2012 lottery pick-if-he-wants-to-leave Austin Rivers as a unanimous nominee was Ryan Anderson on the ACC All-Freshman team. He was the first Eagle since Tyrese Rice to land on the team, emerging as a potential standard-bearer for this entire class — and program — for the next few years.

The End of the Beginning: Boston College Falls 78-57 to NC State in ACC First Round

There has long been a saying in basketball that it’s tough to beat the same team three times in one season. Through the first eight minutes of their ACC First Round matchup, NC State shoved that adage right down the throat of Boston College. Having already beaten the Eagles twice this season, the Wolfpack looked like they would walk to the trifecta. The No. 5 seed in the ACC busted out to a 14-0 lead before BC finally hit a lay-up — nearly 7:30 after the opening tip. Subsequent BC runs to bring it to single digits ultimately ended with a walk-on romp to bring the number to a 21-point loss. It wasn’t as far apart as the final margin shows, but because of that awful start it wasn’t exactly close either. The hallmark of the conference season for this Boston College team was playing tough for 30 or 35 minutes and giving the game away in those remaining few minutes. Sometimes they struck at the end. Sometimes they came in the middle. Tonight, it was right from the opening tip — and a very unfortunate 30 seconds right before the halftime whistle. Thirty minutes that give you unending hope. Ten to rip your heart out.

The Journey to an ACC Title: Boston College vs. NC State, ACC First Round Live Blog

Doesn’t it suck that 12 straight hours of high quality basketball has to happen on a Thursday? Everyone is probably ready to get the heck out the office because honestly, even Iowa vs. Illinois beats Excel spreadsheets. I won’t even mention that Gus Johnson is doing that game. Whoops. Well, luckily for everyone who has mostly productive things to do today from the comfort of their cubicle in stead of watching Boston College take on NC State, I do not. This right here is the best (only?) perk of being an unemployed, part-time grad student. Starting at 2:00 I’ll be bringing you my thoughts on all the action down in Atlanta. I may even get around to flipping to some other games if you’re interested. If you haven’t read Tim’s preview of the game yet, GO DO IT!

During the game feel free to comment on the blog or hit me up on twitter (@popkod33 or @silvamonkey44) with any comments or questions. NC State’s on the bubble and nothing knocks you into the NIT faster than a loss to Boston College. Had to do it to ’em!

To Rebound from a Tough Season the Eagles Must…Rebound

This week, with the clock ticking down on the men’s basketball season at Boston College, it’s time to look back at this freshman-laden team and see what came out of a season that often seemed lost. As long as the Eagles ACC Tournament run lasts — and probably a few days after — I’ll be waxing poetic on what worked, what didn’t and what BC could do to improve next season. Today, it’s all about crashing the glass.

Ryan Anderson ranks seventh in the ACC in rebounding. In front of him are three seniors and three juniors, one of whom — John Henson — almost certainly won’t be playing in the ACC next year. Logically, in his sophomore year it shouldn’t be a big feat for Anderson to carve out a nice spot at or near the top of the leader board. Then comes the sad drop off to 4.8 boards for the seven-foot Dennis Clifford. With the boarding spearheaded by those two in the front court, Boston College managed to pull down just 29.6 rebounds per game — good for the 325th in the country. Also at No. 325 is Presbyterian. Denver sits 20 spots below at 26.5 RPG. That number was good for dead last.

Third Time’s a Charm?

Boston College will face off against 5^th seeded NC State in the ACC Tournament Thursday afternoon in Atlanta.  The bout will be the third time this season the two teams meet, after the Wolfpack took home victories in the first two meetings.  NC State, at 20-11 (9-7 in the ACC), is looking to strengthen their tournament resume, which might need the help of an ACC tourney run.  Right now, Joe Lunardi lists the ‘Pack, and their RPI of 55, in his “First Four Out”, and the consensus view is that this team still has to play its way into the field of 68.  BC, on the other hand, is out to play spoiler and to take advantage of their newly granted opportunity to avoid the season sweep.

Taking a look at their last two meetings, you have to like the direction BC is trending.

Eddie Odio: Boston College’s Defensive X-Factor-in-Training

This week, with the clock ticking down on the men’s basketball season at Boston College, it’s time to look back at this freshman-laden team and see what came out of a season that often seemed lost. As long as the Eagles ACC Tournament run lasts I’ll be waxing poetic on what worked, what didn’t and what BC could do to improve next season. First for Monday, how the 1-3-1 zone could prove to be a valuable weapon going forward.

In the midst of some debate in the comment section of ATL Eagle last week there was some talk of John Beilein and how his system compares to the one that Steve Donahue is trying to implement at Boston College. While I see many of the similarities (the desire for lots of shots from the land of plenty) and the differences (the BC version of Kevin Pittsnogle — John Oates, tattoos and all — graduated a few years ago), the one thing that really got me thinking was the talk of Beilein’s 1-3-1 defense. Much of the chatter was that it takes a while to get the team to buy into it, that it can be passive and that it requires the type of height, length and athleticism that BC just doesn’t have. I see the validity of some of those points but have to say that it can work as an effective weapon for the Eagles as soon as next year. One reason it could work that you probably didn’t even want to think about? Eddie Odio.

An “Early” Look at the 2012 Boston College Football Schedule

So maybe early isn’t the best word for this preview considering that everyone else put out their thoughts when the schedule was announced two days ago. On the other hand, when the season doesn’t actually start for more than six months, I still feel pretty safe calling it an “early” look. Plus, isn’t it a lot more in the tradition of the NCAA to delay things without any legitimate reason? Obviously. Well anyway, from the mysterious unknown Labor Day weekend game all the way through T.O.B. Bowl VI, here are my thoughts on the 2012 Boston College schedule.