By Blake Smith
One of my favorite things on this planet is the sport of basketball. I am an avid NBA fan—go Lakers—but I am also a big fan of college basketball.
College basketball and professional basketball are the same sport, but they are a completely different game.
I know that sounds condescending, but it’s the truth.
In professional basketball, if a team is better, it most likely is going to win. It is also pretty easy to determine which teams are going to make the playoffs and which team has the best chance of winning the NBA championship.
College basketball is not that easy to predict.
Boston College is the perfect example. With a 7-19 record, the Eagles do not have much to look forward to this season.
Being in the Atlantic Coast Conference, Boston College has to play several tough opponents, including perennial powerhouses Duke, North Carolina, and Syracuse.
On February 19, the Eagles did what almost no one expected them to do: They beat Syracuse. Syracuse had a perfect record and the No. 1 ranking in the country next to their name.
Personally, I loved every minute of it.
For one thing, I am a Duke fan, and I am still pretty upset with Syracuse handing Duke a loss earlier in the season. It also is amazing that the underdog can achieve the unthinkable and knock out the No. 1 team in the nation.
Now, Boston College will not make it to the March Madness tournament, and Syracuse will still be a favorite to win the national title. However, Boston College will still be known as the one team to ruin Syracuse’s chances at a perfect season.
That is a major accomplishment in itself. According to ESPN statistics, Syracuse had a 99 percent chance at beating Boston College. The Eagles had one shot to win the game.
Sometimes, though, all you need is one chance.