by Rick Gagliano | 3/24/06

Preview: (4) Boston College (28-7) vs. (1) Villanova (27-4)
Minneapolis Regional Semi-final, 7:10 p.m.
Favorite: Villanova -2

Of the four games on tonight's schedule, this one will likely be the most hotly contested and feature two contrasting styles of play.

The Wildcats play an up-tempo style with an emphasis on dribble penetration and outside shooting. Boston College counters with a mind-drubbing, clock-stalling inside mosh, with the intent to get the ball in the hands of their powerful frontcourt finishers.

While the Villanova Wildcats have been ranked at or near the top throughout the season, Boston College has doggedly ground out wins en route to one of their most successful seasons ever.

While the Wildcats boast a gaudy record, they have only one win outside the Big East over a ranked opponent, and that was back in early December, when they bested then-#5 Oklahoma, 85-74, in Philadelphia. The Sooners were unceremoniously bounced out of the tournament in the first round. In the tournament, Villanova struggled early against defensive-minded Monmouth before pulling away late to a 58-45 win in the first round. A surly Arizona squad proved nearly their equal as Villanova survived an 82-78 shoot-out.

Boston College hasn't beaten any ranked team outside the ACC, with wins over North Carolina (twice, both on the road), and NC State. They lost to Duke twice, both times by 2 points, and also lost to then-ranked teams Michigan State and Maryland in December and NC State in early January.

The Boston College Eagles nearly didn't make it out of the first round, having to go to overtime before finally overwhelming Pacific, 88-76. That sub-par performance might have been blamed on scheduling, as the road-weary Eagles had lost a squeaker in the ACC Tournament final to Duke on Sunday and then had to travel to Salt Lake City to play a Thursday afternoon game.

Despite the close call, BC seemed more at ease in their 2nd-round win over Montana, stretching a 2-point half time lead to a 69-56 ho-hum win.

Each of these teams rely heavily on two starters for the bulk of their scoring. For Boston College, forwards Craig Smith and Jared Dudley usually contribute half of their team's scoring. In the two tournament games, Smith tallied 25 and 22, while Dudley notched 23 and 20.

Villanova gets their offense from guards Allen Ray and Randy Foye. In their tournament wins, Ray had 19 and 25, Foye 17 and 24.

The role players to watch are Louis Hinnant and freshman Tyrese Rice on the perimeter for Boston College. Villanova needs contributions from penetrator Kyle Lowry and spot-shooter Mike Nardi.

The winner will move to the regional final against either Georgetown or Florida.

Half time update: Boston College 28 Villanova 24

Boston College jumped out to a 9-0 lead in the first four minutes on three buckets by Sean Marshall and a driving layup by Louis Hinnant. The Wildcats got into the scoring column off a couple of turnovers, but soon abandoned their trapping full court press in favor of a 2-1-2 zone. The plodding pace of the game was set by BC, as the 2 teams socred only 23 points in the first 12 minutes (16-7, BC).

Boston College was up by as much as 16 in the half, taking the Wildcats completely out of their offense, but despite their obvious dominance, 12 turnovers by the Eagles allowed Villanova to be down only 4 at the half.

Villanova shot only 35% in the half and was 0-9 from beyond the arc.

Foul trouble: BC: Smith, 2; Dudley, 2; Williams, 2. Villanova: Sheridan, 3; Lowry, 2.

Recap: Boston College 60 Villanova 59 OT

Randy Foye scored the first 4 points of the second half to draw even with the Eagles, but Boston College continued to control the pace of the game and the lane on both ends of the floor, and built a 9 point lead with 9 minutes remaining. Villanova fought back, several times drawing within a single point of the lead, but could not convert when it counted.

Sean Williams came up big, especially with just over 3 minutes left and BC up by one. Craig Smith missed a reverse layup, but Williams got the put back and was fouled, but failed to convert the free throw.

Randy Foye and Kyle Lowry continued to penetrate the BC defense with some efficiency as the half wore on. Boston College failed to convert numerous opportunities at the foul line, keeping Villanova in the game. At the 2:18 mark, Randy Foye's two free throws gave the Wildcats their first lead at 49-48.

After a pair of questionable calls by the officials which hurt, Randy Foye hit a runner in the lane with 50 left, but Jared Dudley popped from beyond the arc to tie the game at 51.

The Wildcats worked the clock down, but Sean Williams blocked Lowry's 3-point attempt as regulation time expired.

In the overtime, Villanova held a one-point advantage with 29 seconds left, but Kyle Lowry missed the front end of a one-and-one and Boston College collected the rebound. Craig Smith scored down low to retake the lead with 12 seconds left. After Randy Foye's drive was kicked out of bounds by BC, Will Sheridan snuck inside for a layup, which was blocked, though called (correctly) goaltending. with only 3 seconds left, BC could only get off a desperate three-pointer by Hinnant, and Villanova advanced.

The outright star of the game was 'Nova's Randy Foye, who carried the team for most of the game. He ended the game easily the scoring leader with 29 points. Backcourt mate Allen Ray scored only 9 points on 3-15 shooting.