Watching BC play Friday afternoon at TD Garden conjured up memories of when the Eagles would play a handful of home games at the Boston Garden during their Big East days.
It’s difficult for a college team to break into the city’s sports consciousness unless it is elite. This is a pro sports market, and BC basketball coach Luke Murray is not only trying to resurrect a program that hasn’t reached the NCAA Tournament since the days of Al Skinner, but also play well enough to help the city even acknowledge there’s quality basketball in the Heights.
Their 71-55 victory over UMass at the TNT Sports Hall of Fame Series Boston was significant in Murray’s early tenure. The Eagles need to win these games against in-state opponents. They need to play well in front of local fans. Attendance was sparse because of the 4 p.m. tip, but it eventually began filling up — perhaps mostly because of the UConn-Michigan national championship rematch that followed.
But playing in this NBA venue provided a good opportunity for BC, one it should capitalize on. As much as Conte Forum is an adequate college arena, it wouldn’t hurt the program’s image if BC scheduled a handful of home games on Causeway Street like the old days.
BC is Boston’s Power Four school, and it should carry itself as such, with Murray trying to sell the program to the city, not just to those near Chestnut Hill.
The No. 1 way to sell the program is win, and the Eagles used a crafty point guard named Money Williams to help pull away from the Minutemen. The Montana transfer scored 35 points with nine rebounds and five assists in 39-plus minutes. He brings the program star power. Star power brings recognition. Recognition brings attention.
Murray, a former UConn assistant and the son of comedian Bill Murray, embraces the challenge of rebuilding college basketball interest in Boston and perhaps becoming a more permanent tenant at TD Garden.
“Yeah, I would love it,” Murray said. “We were really excited to be a part of this event. Obviously, there’s a huge game coming on after us here with UConn and Michigan. But yeah, we felt really grateful to have an opportunity to play in this building.
“It’s an iconic place, and I think for Boston College supporters and fans and alumni, it’s something that they can get really excited about. I know our players were just sort of overwhelmed with the opportunity to play on this court and be in this environment. So absolutely, as much as we can possibly play here, we would love to.”
It will perhaps take nostalgia to tap into interest for BC basketball, because in the ACC, the Eagles have no natural rivals. It would be prudent to move some of the more significant conference games — Duke, North Carolina, Virginia — to TD Garden if the scheduling allows.
The atmosphere for UConn’s 85-77 win over Michigan was electric, with a horde of Husky fans visiting from Storrs and a large contingent of Michigan fans. There is an audience for college basketball. It just has to be good college basketball.
Playing at TD Garden, below the 24 professional championship banners hanging from the rafters, was not lost on Williams. There is a lure to such atmospheres.
“Basketball’s a kids game,” he said. “And being in an NBA arena, that’s something you dream of as a kid. Even though I’m into the game, I still gotta look up and see the history. That’s the end all, be all, to get to the NBA. It’s still a dream and always has been.”
About 90 minutes after the conclusion of BC-UMass, TD Garden was filled to capacity. UConn-Michigan is the biggest matchup of this infant season, and Boston definitely responded.
Boston is a basketball city. The city loves the sport, and the city will come out in the winter to see big-time teams. There is a hope that Murray and his team stuck around to watch the second game and soak in the environment.
In reality, BC-UMass was the junior varsity game in this doubleheader. That could be considered an insult, but at this point, it ain’t filling the Garden on a Friday night.
But as Murray continues to build the program, recruit more premium talent, attract the better local kids to stay home and pull off some upsets, maybe BC could fill this place in coming years. Playing at the Garden could be incentive and a recruiting tool.
There was a March Madness atmosphere here. On an enjoyable night, there was proof that Boston can embrace college sports.
Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at gary.washburn@globe.com. Follow him @GwashburnGlobe.