BC Men's Basketball Coach Earl Grant Reflects on Tough Season After Regular Season Finale Win

Grant discusses team's growth through adversity, looks ahead to potential postseason run

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Despite beating Notre Dame in the regular season finale, Boston College men's basketball is headed home early after being eliminated from the ACC tournament. Head coach Earl Grant reflected on the team's challenging season, praising the players' character and perseverance through a year filled with close losses. Grant expressed pride in the program's progress, including making the postseason three years in a row, and is hopeful the young core can blossom next season.

Why it matters

Boston College basketball has struggled in recent years, and this season was no exception as the team failed to make the NCAA tournament. However, Grant's comments suggest the program is headed in the right direction, with a talented young roster that has grown through adversity. The coach's optimism about the team's future provides hope for BC fans eager to see the team return to the national spotlight.

The details

Despite beating Notre Dame in their regular season finale, Boston College was eliminated from the ACC tournament when Pitt knocked them out in overtime. In his postgame comments, head coach Earl Grant praised his team's effort and character, noting they had to find a way to win the game without senior Donald Hand, who went down with an injury early on. Grant said the team had been through a lot of adversity this season, with close losses in many games, but he was proud of how the players continued to show up and fight every day in practice. The coach believes the young core of the team is primed to blossom next season, drawing on his past experience turning around programs at Wichita State and College of Charleston.

  • Boston College beat Notre Dame on Saturday, March 4, 2026 in their regular season finale.
  • Pitt eliminated Boston College from the ACC tournament with an overtime win against Syracuse on March 4, 2026.

The players

Earl Grant

The head coach of the Boston College men's basketball team, who has led the program for the past several seasons.

Donald Hand

A senior player for Boston College who went down with an injury early in the team's win over Notre Dame.

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What they’re saying

“You know, Senior Day, good turnout by the crowd, which was great. Just really happy we were able to play to the level we played. Unfortunate for one of the seniors Donald Hand, you know, he goes down early in the game. We had to find a way to win it for him, win it without him.”

— Earl Grant, Head Coach (on3.com)

“Nobody loves adversity and trials and tribulations, but that's the only way you can grow. I think I'm a better coach now than I was a few years ago. It's nice to win them all. I've been on that side of it. We win 40 games in a row at home. I've been a part of that too as a head coach. But, that wasn't this season. This season was a lot of adversity and a lot of challenges.”

— Earl Grant, Head Coach (on3.com)

“If you would have came to our practice three weeks ago, two weeks ago, you really would have believed we won four games in a row. The spirit, the energy, the attitude, the mentality, not folding your tent, showing up every day fighting for each other. That's what they continued to do. I think we all grew this year and hopefully, we'll keep playing and have a chance to advance in March.”

— Earl Grant, Head Coach (on3.com)

What’s next

The Boston College men's basketball team will await their postseason fate, hoping to receive an invitation to continue playing in March. Coach Grant expressed optimism about the team's young core and their potential to blossom next season.

The takeaway

Despite a challenging season filled with close losses, Boston College basketball coach Earl Grant is proud of his team's character and growth, believing the young core has the potential to lead the program to greater success in the future. The coach's positive outlook provides hope for BC fans eager to see the team return to the NCAA tournament.