BC Beats Rival Notre Dame, But Season Ends Early Again

Eagles' dismal season wraps up at 11-20 overall, 4-14 in the ACC, missing the conference tournament for second straight year.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Boston College men's basketball team beat rival Notre Dame 77-69 on Saturday, but a Pitt win later that evening officially eliminated BC from the ACC tournament, ending their season early for the second straight year. BC finished the season 11-20 overall and 4-14 in conference play, extending their NCAA tournament drought to 17 years.

Why it matters

BC's men's basketball program has struggled mightily in recent years, missing the ACC tournament in back-to-back seasons and failing to make the NCAA tournament since 2009. This continued lack of success has raised questions about the long-term direction of the program and the job security of head coach Earl Grant.

The details

In the regular season finale, BC was led by Fred Payne's 24 points, 9 rebounds, 5 steals and 4 assists. Chase Forte added 14 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals, while Jayden Hastings had 12 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks. Despite the win over Notre Dame, BC's season came to an early end when Pitt beat Syracuse later that evening, officially eliminating the Eagles from the ACC tournament.

  • BC beat Notre Dame 77-69 on Saturday, March 8, 2026.
  • Pitt's win over Syracuse later that evening on March 8, 2026 officially eliminated BC from the ACC tournament.

The players

Fred Payne

A BC player who led the team with 24 points, 9 rebounds, 5 steals and 4 assists in the win over Notre Dame.

Chase Forte

A BC player who had 14 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals in the win over Notre Dame.

Jayden Hastings

A BC player who contributed 12 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks in the win over Notre Dame.

Earl Grant

The head coach of the BC men's basketball team, who has faced scrutiny over the program's lack of success in recent years.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It feels great coming out here and getting a win, especially against a rival. Great competition with Notre Dame, they're a really good team. To come out here and get a win on Senior Night after an up-and-down year is great.”

— Chase Forte, BC Player (on3.com)

“It means a lot. He teaches you how to persevere, to keep fighting. That's kind of our whole motto, 'gritty, not pretty.' As you guys know...I came from walk on to Power 5, so just learning from him how to show up every day, roll your sleeves up, get to work, it means a lot, not only on the court, but also off the court too.”

— Chase Forte, BC Player (on3.com)

“I feel like it means the most to me because he was like the only coach out of high school that came to my gym every other day. Me and him has a special personal relationship. He can talk to me crazy, I can kind of talk to him a little bit how I want because we've been here a couple years. It's special because he really develops you defensively wise more than offense...on the defensive part you're going to see us go at it all year long.”

— Fred Payne, BC Player (on3.com)

What’s next

The only question remaining is how much further into the basement does BC's men's basketball program have to sink in order for a change to be made?

The takeaway

BC's men's basketball program continues to struggle, missing the ACC tournament for the second straight year and extending their NCAA tournament drought to 17 years. This lack of success has raised serious questions about the direction of the program and the job security of head coach Earl Grant.