The BC Eagles finished the 2000s the same way they started it: with a win. Their 85-76 win over South Carolina moved them to 9-4 (1-0), giving them one last good OOC victory before the two cupcakes prior to ACC play.
This game was not without its faults, however. Boston College led by as many as 23 points in this one, and 21 at the half. Within minutes after halftime, South Carolina had trimmed it down to 18, 15, 10, and finally all the way down to 3. The Gamecocks opened the half on a 26-8 run and traded baskets with the Eagles for a while before BC pulled away slightly and iced the game.
We saw two totally different teams tonight on the court. In the first half, BC was tough, athletic, intense, and hustling. They held onto the ball and made their shots count. In the second (for the most part), they were sloppy and complacent, doing their usual second-half disappearing act before pulling their heads out of their rears late and regrouping for the win. It's times like this where I simply don't know what to make of this team. If the first half is any indication, they have the potential to be very good and go toe-to-toe with any team, but they can just as easily come out flat and underachieve. Even though they're a 9-4 team, there are some consistency issues that I think we're going to see again come 2010.
South Carolina is not a bad team, but they have been hit with key injuries. This will be one of the better-looking non-conference wins they have when all is said and done, so despite the almost-swoon, it's a good get. I guessed before the game that they'd win by 7, and they won by 9, so I will surely take it.
We'll see this team again on Saturday for their 2010s-decade opener against Maine. Happy New Year to all of you.
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