Commonwealth Classic
The Commonwealth Classic, also known as Commonwealth Cup[1] or Governor's Cup (for the trophy awarded to the victor of the game),[2] is the title of a basketball rivalry between Boston College and the University of Massachusetts. The name refers to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the New England state in which both universities are located. The game has been played a total of 17 times. BC leads the series 10-7.
| Boston College | UMass |
|---|---|
| (10) | (7) |
| 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2008 2009 2010 |
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2007 2011 |
Contents |
[edit] History
The first game between the two schools occurred December 8, 1905. Since then, UMass and BC have played each other irregularly over the course of their in-state rivalry. In 1995, the basketball rivalry was officially designated as the "Commonwealth Classic" by then-Massachusetts Governor William Weld and members of the Massachusetts General Court who were among the nearly 20,000 spectators to watch the game at the new FleetCenter (now the TD Banknorth Garden). It was the first college basketball game played in the new arena. The first game holds the record for college basketball attendance in New England. The series has been held annually since 1995.
[edit] UMass Dominance in the 1990s
The 1990s were the best decade of UMass Minutemen Basketball as the Minutemen went to the 1996 Final Four and went 6-0 in the decade against Boston College. Their longest winning streak ever against their cross-state rivals.
[edit] BC Dominance in the 2000s
After going 0-6 against UMass in the 90's, BC has bounced back and won the first seven games in the 2000s, going 7-0. This streak was snapped on December 12, 2007 when UMass edged BC 83-80.
The 2010 game was played at TD Garden at a part of the Boston Tip-Off Classic, benefiting Children’s Hospital Boston & Al’s Angels.[1]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ University of Massachusetts Media Guide (PDF)
- ^ Boston Globe coverage of the 2006 Commonwealth Cup
