Afternoon Quickie: Montel Harris Expectations; Ladies Play 4Kay
By Joe Micik
Yesterday, we learned that medical-redshirt senior Montel Harris has been cleared to participate in spring football practices, which begins shortly.
Eagles fans are doubtlessly anxious to see his return to the field, and in the cited article, HD lists reasons why Montel should not be counted out next season. That’s all well and good, but it might be advisable that BC fans temper their expectations. Keep in mind that Harris has had his last two seasons end thanks to knee injuries and he has barely played organized football since late 2010. That has to be difficult from which to recover and I give him credit for being tough and trying to play again.
Montel may come back and be his old self, but it’s almost a little unfair to expect him to come back and be an ACC Player of the Year candidate after consecutive injury-plagued seasons. Eagles fans can count on him giving his all, but I doubt there will be a great deal of surprise if he plays and he isn’t quite the same as in the past. That is not to say it will happen that way, but it would be prudent to give him some latitude as he starts his long comeback trail. Besides, if you set expectations for Montel’s performance low and he over-delivers, not only is that a great thing for us, but everyone will be impressed.
Tonight, women’s basketball, fresh off of their first ACC win of the season, will host the Clemson Tigers. What makes this game particularly notable is that it’s the “Play 4Kay” game, which is done across women’s college basketball to honor late NC State coach Kay Yow, who died of breast cancer in 2009.
Of course, Boston College has a second cause for which to fight this time around: former Eagle Clare Droesch (’05) was diagnosed with breast cancer which has spread to other areas. To help Droesch, BC will also be advocating the Crush Cancer Fund for Clare tonight, and all players will wear her number #15 on their undershirt sleeves.
If you wear pink to the game (7pm), you get in free. If you are able, support this good cause.
Three Boston College football players — Bobby Swigert, Hampton Hughes, and Emmett Cleary — were named yesterday to the All-ACC academic team. For Cleary, it is his third-straight reception of this honor. Congratulations to all three.