Boston College bolted the Big East Conference for the Atlantic Coast Conference to begin the 2005/06 season. The move was primarily an economic one. BC’s president at the time said this about the change: “The move to the ACC will generate greater revenues in the future.” I certainly hope the greater revenue streams are worth it, because aside from some modest success on the football field and hardwood, the move to warmer climates has been a disaster for these athletic programs!
Tonight, the Eagles basketball team will tangle with the Wolfpack of North Carolina State in Raleigh. That the team is still in search of its first ACC victory is sad and hard to believe. I’m reminded of that old saying: “even once in a while a blind squirrel finds a nut.” Well, the pride of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, has but two chances to find that elusive nut (win). The team is 0-16 in conference play and just 7-22 overall. NC State is just 15-14 on the season itself, so there is a chance. However, their best shot (and final one) to “get off the schneid”, comes at home this Saturday against Clemson. The Tigers are having a pretty good year (18-12), but are just 2-8 on the road. Head coach Jim Christian is only in his second year at The Heights, but his teams have not been good (20-41 over that time). I wonder if he will be around for year three. BC has had only four winning seasons in basketball over the eleven years since they flew south to “generate greater revenues”. Sadly, hoops is not the only winless team on campus either. They have a pigskin problem, too. The football team finished 3-9, and went 0-8 in ACC league play. Their only victories came against Maine, Howard, and Northern Illinois! Following four good initial campaigns on the gridiron, mediocrity has set in. 8-5 is their best record since 2009, and although they did get invited to a few bowl games, they came in years where they had 7-6 records. And are the Pinstripe, AdvoCare V100, and Fight Hunger Bowl, really bowl games anyway? Me thinks not.
Sometimes the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. You could say that Boston College is finding this out in a big way. I tell you, Rutgers better watch out because the Scarlet Knights are following in BC’s footsteps at the moment. Their basketball team is winless in Big Ten play, and they host #2 Michigan State tonight. This coming on the heels of firing their football coach after a 4-8 season (1-7 in conference). Bottom line is, be careful what you wish for, because you might just get it.
And that is My 2 Sense for this week.
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