Game #129. RTC Live visits Boston College for this ACC matchup between two teams that need a win to stay at the top of the middle of the pack in the ACC.
With half of conference play behind us, the NCAA Tournament is right around the corner, and it’s safe to say there are plenty of at-large bids to be won. Boston College and Virginia Tech are two schools with something to prove, as they fight to get off the bubble. Despite playing a much more tasking nonconference slate, Virginia Tech has no quality out of conference wins (though Penn State is edging towards that category). They do have a solid win at Maryland to hang their hats on, but an ugly loss at Georgia Tech that makes up for it. Boston College actually has a pretty good resume with a win over Texas A&M on a neutral site that might be able to mitigate two losses to the Ivy League. The problem is the Eagles’ losses are piling up after skidding to a one and four mark over their past five games. Reggie Jackson has dropped from a quiet contender for ACC Player of the Year to just another player during the stretch. The Eagles will need a more inspired effort from him going forward. On the other side of the floor is another great guard, Malcolm Delaney. He’s been terrific since Seth Greenberg started playing him off the ball more, and trails Duke’s Nolan Smith slightly in points and assists. Containing Delaney and Jeff Allen for Boston College and keeping Jackson in his mini-slump for Virginia Tech will be the keys to winning this game, which is a must-win for both teams’ at-large hopes.