Boston College - Sub Turri Yearbook (Boston, MA)

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Basketball In 1963, Bob Cousy took over the floundering B.C. basketball program with the intent of building a national power. Although he had one of the best guards in the country in John Austin, Cousv ' s initial year was ham- pered by an overall lack of height and depth. The result was a mediocre 10-11 season. But with more emphasis on recruiting plus the time needed to adjust to Cousy ' s race- horse style of basketball, Boston College soon became a national basketball power, being invited to five post- season tournaments in five years. In the 1969-70 season, the cycle returned. Cousy left to coach the Royals, leaving first year man Chuck Daly with the problems of Cousy ' s initial year. Although the Eagles possessed an outstanding guard in Jim O ' Brien and a solid nucleus in seniors Tom Veronneau and Pete Sol- lenne, the height and depth needed to win consistently were gone. Added to this problem was the early season loss of center Pete Schmidt and sharpshooter Bob Dukiet to illness and injury. As a result, the Eagles played in- consistent ball, the crowds dwindled to a die-hard core of courtside club members, and the team had its worst sea- son since 1963. 194

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JL B.C. opened the campaign by taking on cross-town rival Boston University in cramped Sargent ' s Gym, The problems of adjusting to Daly ' s style were evident as the Eagles could not mount a consistent attack, nor stop BU ' s Jimmy Hayes. As a result, B.C. wound up on the short end of a 76-70 score. The problems continued when B.C. ' took on Fairfield in the home opener. The Eagles could not maintain an early ten point lead and ran out of gas in the late going. The Stags won 74-69. It was only the second time in six years that the Eagles lost two in a row. Hopes rose when the Eagles beat Canisius tor their first victory, an unesthetic 70-56 win. But it became evident that the Eagles could rrot put it all together; losses to U Conn and Penn State indicated the Eagle five was in for a rough season. B.C. stood 1-4 at the Christmas break and with the next five games on the road, optimism reached its nadir. The Eagles rebounded, however, showing the kind of ball they were capable of playing by defeating a tough Cornell five 78-60. By routing Lemoyne, B.C. had a two game winning streak heading into the Holiday Festival in New York ' s Madi.son Square Garden. B.C. was paired with nationally ranked Penn in the opening round. The Eagles gave the Quakers a good run until Penn ' s superior depth took over late in the game. In the con.solation round, B.C. surprised a good Manhattan team 91-67, but lost the battle for fifth place to Cincin- nati 85-70. One bright .spot for the Eagles, however, was the play of Jim O ' Brien. By scoring 63 points and setting a new Festival record for a.ssists, O ' Brien earned a spot on the all tournament team. Captain Tom Vcronncau liad an amazing .612fl()()r PCT for the first 19 games. 196