Boston College Eagles vs. Holy Cross Crusaders Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 8th 2023

Holy Cross is off to a rough start as it seeks its first winning season since 2013-14.

The quest won’t get any easier Friday night when the Crusaders (2-7) try to snap a three-game losing streak in a nonconference road game against Boston College (6-3) in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

“I’m excited to see these guys grow,” first-year Holy Cross coach Dave Paulsen said. “We want to win every time we play — make no mistake about it — but we’re looking for those touch points where we can say, ‘We are getting better.'”

The Crusaders were 20-14 in 2013-14 but haven’t won more than 16 games in a season since.

Holy Cross and BC each faced Central Connecticut State in their last game. Holy Cross lost 78-67 on Saturday, and BC beat the Blue Devils 82-68 on Monday night.

“We have to focus on the preparation,” BC coach Earl Grant said. “We have to watch what they do, see what they like to do offensively and defensively, come up with the best plan that you can and try to go execute that plan. That’s really the only thing you can do. That’s the only thing you can control.”

Boston College’s Quinten Post is one of the top players in the ACC and is averaging 20.0 points and 8.3 rebounds per contest. Post is shooting 53.1 percent from the field.

Claudell Harris Jr. is BC’s No. 2 scorer (13.5) but didn’t play in Tuesday’s victory over CCSU due to an ankle injury.

“Hoping to get him back in the next day or so,” Grant said after Tuesday night’s win. “It wasn’t anything major.”

Jaeden Zackery (12.3) is the only other Eagles player scoring in double figures.

Joe Octave leads Holy Cross in scoring (15.9) and rebounding (6.4), and is shooting 50.5 percent from the field. Caleb Kenney (9.2) and Bo Montgomery (9.1) are the team’s other leading scorers.

The Crusaders’ victories this season have come against Georgetown (68-67) and IUPUI (74-61).

–Field Level Media