Vitale believes win vital
Boston College forward Jared Dudley has repeatedly stated that the Eagles need to get to 10 wins in the Atlantic Coast Conference to secure an NCAA Tournament berth. That didn't happen last night, as BC fell, 77-72, to North Carolina at Conte Forum.
ESPN's Dick Vitale agreed with Dudley that the Eagles need to get to 10 conference wins to solidify their case to the selection committee.
"I still think they have to win another game in this league for the knockout," said Vitale, who pointed to nonconference losses to Vermont and Duquesne at home as blemishes on the Eagles' tournament résumé.
Vitale said BC had a chance to make a statement against conference staples Duke and North Carolina.
"You're coming in 9-2 [in the ACC] for two home games against two of the megapowers in college basketball and you want to apply the knockout punch," said Vitale. Instead the Eagles got knocked out, losing both games.
"I've seen strange things happen," said Vitale. "I thought last year Florida State would have been a lock at 9-7. They were 9-7 in a conference like the ACC and they stayed home because their preconference schedule wasn't super. Look at Boston College's preconference losses. They'd be the first to tell you that those Duquesne and Vermont games don't help the scenario."
Vitale didn't think the selection committee would give the Eagles much sympathy for the dismissal of center Sean Williams.
"They'll look at it to a certain degree, but the bottom line is he's not here now," said Vitale. "So, it's not like they can look at it and say, 'Well, if they had Sean Williams they're a different team.' Sean Williams is not going to be there for the tournament."
As usual, Vitale was immensely popular prior to the game, generously signing autographs and taking pictures in the BC student section. Vitale said he never tires of mingling with students. "Those guys made me what I am," he said.
