GAME RECAP: Boston College 85, North Carolina 82

What a game in Greensborough! Boston College shot a lethal 67% in the first half and only held a one point advantage heading into the half. Even more shocking than that stat is the fact that Boston College was down in the final minute of the first half and didn’t grab the lead until Jared Dudley and Tyrese Rice made three’s within the last 30 seconds of the half. North Carolina went on a 8-2 run to end the game but it wasn’t enough as Boston College escaped with a 85 to 82 victory to advance to the ACC Finals tomorrow afternoon.

Boston College was led by the stellar play of senior forward Craig Smith who started off game 7-8 from field and finished with 23 points and a game high 14 boards, Dudley who had 21 points on an efficient 8 for 11 from the field and Louis Hinnant who set a career high with seven dimes.

Following the game Boston College head coach Al Skinner told ESPN reporters that, “the thing about it is he’s a senior, he’s had a lot of success and he’s tried to put his mark on the Boston College basketball program.”

When asked about Louis Hinnant and his career high seven dimes, Skinner told reporters that, “he’s the brain trust on the floor. He’s helping everybody and he’s given tremendous leadership and it just works for our club.”

Tyler Hansbrough, Wes Miller and Reyshawn Tayler had big games but all three of these players saw their games slip in the second half and as these players faltered so did their team. Hansbrough had a 13 points and 8 boards in the first half but cooled off to finish with 23 points and 10 boards, Miller went 4 for 4 from the field last game and started the game 3 for 3 (six of those were three’s) and Terry was slowed by foul trouble in the second half. These three players are poised for huge games in the Tournament next week but they will need to play two solid halves for North Carolina to advance.

An interesting note that came up during the game was that David Noel could come back to Chapel Hill next year as a football player. Noel was heavily recruited as the next Randy Moss but decided to play hoops instead. The choice was a great one as he was able to pick up a National Championship last season, something he wouldn’t have done playing with the football team. According to Dick Vitale, Noel has one year of eligibility left and he has talked about returning to play football for a year if he doesn’t get drafted by a NBA team this summer.

Date
Sat 03/11/06, 6:37 pm EST

Source

 * [HoopsAddict.com HoopsAddict.com]