CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. -- The first game of a college basketball season is pretty miniscule to the grand scheme of a year. It doesn't win a national championship or build a tournament resume, and it won't answer questions or offer explanations about a team's performance or place in its conference race. It has little to no impact on a league tournament, and the only banners hung prior to tip-off are the ones celebrating previous accomplishments by last year's champions.
That first game holds no inherent meaning to a whole lot of anything, but for head coaches like Boston College's Earl Grant, the possibility of making a statement is more of an opportunity than any spot in the standings.