BC leads BU 10-0 in the FIRST PERIOD
BU does not have a shot on goal

four ... maybe five tops?

TV: The high profile 5:30pm CW Network game
Line: BC -4.5
Will I bet this game? Yes. In the words of one of the world's greatest thinkers, Dalton. NYU Philosophy major. Pain don't hurt.


Bshay21 bet: BC moneyline/ND ML/Clemson +3.5. +1672.

Vinny and other assistants were with BOB at the Coaches Clinic at Gillette today. Caught up with him for a few...

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One of my wife's and my best friends died this week after a 23 year fight against the hated disease. She had metastatic breast cancer.

My brother (a distinguished BC grad) just began participation in a clinical study for his pancreatic cancer.

My sister was diagnosed this week with small cell carcinoma in the bladder and likely elsewhere. She starts 3 day a week chemo this week.

I would appreciate any prayers aimed their way. Thank you very much.

Just flew in with family … staying just north of the Gothic Quarter.

Any must sees or must go to restaurants?

as a result of BU loss last night

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We can all look back and talk about how greedy capitalists ruined college football

Give it up. 10 straight loses.

TV: ESPNU
Line: Miami -5.5
Will I bet this game?

Bshay21 bet: BC ML/over 152.5. +387. Feels like this is one that they take when everyone has checked out.

Godspeed.

TSN's Director of Scouting Craig Burton put out his Top 100 list of NHL-affiliated prospects--4 BC guys in his Top 10--Cutter Gauthier at No. 1, Will Smith at No. 3, Ryan Leonard at No. 4 and Gabe Perrault at No. 7. The No. 2 prospect is a big defenseman who plays for St Petersburg, Russia.

Completely forgot to transcribe this from last Saturday. RB Coach Savon Huggins sat down with John and I for a 10-minute interview, here's everything he had to say...

BC announced the full schedule today. Media will have full access to each spring practice, which is obviously big news given how tight Hafley was with access. Hopefully, this happens in the regular season too, but one thing at a time.

Here's the full schedule with who we're slated to talk to and when as of now:

Monday 9:15-11:15 - O'Brien & players speak
Wednesday - 9:15-11:15 - Lawing & players speak
Friday - 9:15-11:15 - Lewis & players speak
March 16: 11:15-1 - O'Brien & players speak
March 19: 9:15-11:15 - TBD
March 21: 9:15-11:15 - TBD
March 22: Pro Day
March 23: 11:15-1 - TBD
March 25: 9:15-11:30 - TBD
March 27: 9:15-11:30 - TBD
April 2: 9:15-11:15 - TBD
April 4: 9:15-11:15 - TBD
April 6: 11:15-1 - TBD
April 9: 9:15-11:15 - TBD
April 11: 9:15-11:15 - TBD
April 13: Spring Game (Time TBA) - O'Brien & players speak

As always, $1 to the winner. Preferably, passed on to Friends of the Heights. Maybe it's lucky #7 for BC as we are previously 0-6 in making it from this thread to the NCAAs. Some years, it's 20 things. Some years, it's less. I have three Things That Need To Go Right. They are sort of correlated so it might even be less if you think about it. I love QP's game. I also think his total skill set hasn't be unlocked because of our guards who were limited, offensively. If you have watched any of the Celtics games, how they use Porzingis with guys who can shoot and drive is incredible. Guy is averaging 21 points on 12 shots. QP is sort of the college version of this. The only thing I haven't seen him really do is attack close outs by putting it on the floor, which Porzingis is good at. QP can shoot. He can catch in traffic on the roll. He can put his guy on his back on the block and put him in a blender. This program is on the upswing with Earl but it would be a shame if we couldn't take advantage of QP coming back.
Anyway, onward to three things:

1. Post needs to play 25+ games. And be healthy going into the ACC tournament. Duh.
2. Claudell Harris, Jr can't average more than 12 shots/game. Last two years, we have been around 57 shots/game. Sounds like he is as advertised (maybe better?) but if he putting up 14+ like Charleston Southern, I think it means the young kids aren't as good as we need them to be, QP is hurt, or CHJ can't change his game enough from his last spot. He took 30% of the shots when he was on the floor last year. I don't think that will work if we are having a tourney season.
3. We need to shoot D1 average or better from three. Last year it was 34%. Just keeps everyone honest. Unlocks Post. Creates driving lanes.

I (M) was (A) going (D) to (S) do (E) a (N) a fourth one but this is a year of positivity. I think this is a tournament team. Tricky part is figuring out how many ACC wins does it. Four teams won 10+ last year (Clemson...14!) and didn't make it but I suspect the ACC is a lot better this year.

Predictions:

Record: 22-9
Tiebreaker #1. ACC Record: 13-7
Tiebreaker #2. PPG Leader: QP
Tiebreaker #3. How many: 18.4
Tiebreaker #4. Will we beat the Vampire in Brooklyn on 12/10?: Yes

What's the best way to buy tickets? I see StubHub tickets for outrageous prices, and then other tickets for cheap. Really just interested in seeing us open up against Notre Dame due to work and the fact that I would go with a Notre Dame alum.

Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital
St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Brighton and Carney Hospital in Dorchester are both at risk of closure following reports last month that Steward Health Care, a national for-profit hospital chain, is behind $50 million on rent in its Massachusetts locations.

@KStone22

Who is the person to talk to to be able to go watch spring practice. In the past I contacted Scott Tudryn and he gave me a pass to go to spring ball. Is there someone on the new staff I can reach out to? In the past BC has been very welcoming of high school coaches to come and see them practice. Hoping this is still a thing. I am heading to Encore Casino Friday 3/15 and was hoping to make a day of it by going to practice in the morning.

The Russ transaction is right up there with the Herschel Walker trade as the worst transaction in NFL history ... probably the worst if you consider they gave a declining Russ $160M guaranteed.

The Birds are back at it starting today at 12:30 vs the Richmond Spiders. They'll play tomorrow at 4 vs William & Mary, and Sunday at 1 vs VCU. All games are on ESPN+

This will represent a nice test for different reasons this weekend, so I will start off with my preview of the Spiders. Former Birdball coach Mik Aoki is the new coach at Richmond this year. They are off to a 3-5 start following a 4 game sweep to Niagra (yikes) and loss to the aforementioned W&M, before sweeping arguably the worst D1 school in the country Mt St Mary's last weekend, the latter two games of which were 1 run games. So why would playing them represent a nice test? Well, for one, the Birds are Mary-less, but the real reason is they'll likely be facing their ace Kyle Roche. The 6'8 righty is a former D3 xfer from Franklin & Marshall has yielded just one run in 14 IP, and 0 BBs to go along w 12 Ks. He's a sinkerball with really good command and the similarities to John West are obvious. Aoki has been known as sort of a pitching guru of sorts from his time here and at ND, and he's def seemed to unlock some pro potential with Roche. Now the two opponents def have something to do with the great numbers, but when a pitcher is in that sort of groove, it always impresses me. Being aggressive in the zone and early in counts will be key for the Birds hitters.

On offense they are expecting a big year from Wake Forest xfer CF Jackson Kraemer, although he's off to a slow start. So. 3B Jordan Jaffe was all A10 as a frosh and is their leading hitter so far, while another D3 xfer lefty swinging Phil Bernstein has driven in 11 runs already. The feature a righty heavy lineup that is aggressive on the bases and will use the bunt in some spots too. I think its West getting the start, but wouldn't hate it if it were Farinelli or Mudd, with the thought is this is the weakest of the 3 lineups they'll see this weekend.

On Sat, they'll head up the road in the Commonwealth to take on Bill & Mary. The Tribe dropped their opener to Holy Cross, but have since won 7 straight, including a sweep of friends UMass Lowell (I know, I know, but Holy Cross and Umass Lowell are not push overs) and they've done so in convincing fashion. Picked to finish in the middle of a very strong CAA (that's Northeastern's conference) this year lafter they ost their best hitter to the 2nd round of the MLB draft, they look like they will be a factor after all. The offense is off to a ridiculous start lead by LHH Sr Joe Delossantos, who's hitting .485 with 4 HRs and 4 steals to go along with his 1.525 OPS. He will represent a handful, if even for one game. * side note, Cal is off to a 7-1 after sweeping UConn last week and their start OF Rodney Green Jr, who the Birds shut down is absolutely raking* Fr. RF Anthony Greco is off to an incredible, Fr AA looking start himself, as are Gr xfers Ben Parker and Luca Trignani. This lineup has already walked an astounding 58 times and been hit by another 23 pitches in 8 games, so strike throwing is a must, as they will pound the gaps and have over-the-fence power throughout the lineup.

On the mound, I'd imagine Jr Nate Knowles will draw the start, he's yet to yield a run in 10 Ip, to go along w 18 Ks. He's pitched 3, 3, and 4 innings as he ramps up, so I'm sure we'll see him for the bulk of the work Sat. Like VCU, the Tribe played Central Connecticut and Sacred Heart the rest of the weekend, so the Birds represent their toughest test, and would score a nice Non conference win for their respective NCAA resumes, so I expect their best Ps in this one. Lefty Mark Hindy has also yet to yield a run, so I think those are the two main Ps we'll see. TI"s nephew Reed, is a RHP RP for the Tribe, and I'm sure they'll want to get him in the game.

Sunday, they head back to Richmond to face the 5-4 Rams of VCU. The Rams are another potent offense with wins so far over NC St and Maryland. Sr 3B Brandon Eike is a former UNC xfer who's off to an equally torrid start to Delossantos, while establishing himself as one of the better power hitters in the country. He'll be a handful. D3 xfer Ethan Iaunzzi was thought to be one of the better available players in the portal, and also offers big righty power. Another patience lineup with a ton of BBs and HPBs they'll also be ultra aggressive in the run game. Strikes and IF outs, no extra runners, bc it will cost you! They are also a RH heavy lineup.

On the mound, the Rams have had their issues, they typically have used an opener on Sundays, and their best RP has been So. Maison Martinez, who has a live fastball and good CB. Jr. Southpaw Christian Gordon looked poised to take their Friday role, with a 92-94 mph FB and tight slider, but he's struggled so far, including his start in a 16-12 loss vs Merrimack. Still, that's the type of arm that can give you trouble, so something to watch for.

A 3-0 weekend would be nice, but this is a tougher test than we think. Some good quality challenges on the mound and at the plate. I'd expect the same rotation, West, AJ on Sat, and Farinelli on Sunday, but wouldn't hate switching West and AJ due to matchups. Tough to play that when you play 3 teams in 3 days, though.

On Tues, another test in a strong UNC Wilmington club, more on the Seahawks after the weekend.

In case you missed it, Bill O'Brien was nice enough to stick around and chat with my company NEFJ on Saturday morning. Here's what stood out after I had a chance to go back and listen/watch...