Boston College junior guard Reggie Jackson was benched by head coach Steve Donahue at the start of the first and second halves in the Eagles' 84-68 loss against Duke on Thursday night, according to a report from WEEI.
The decision came after Jackson didn't give full effort during practice, something that Donahue just won't tolerate.
Apparently, Donahue felt star guard Reggie Jackson was not bringing his best to the practice gym. Thus, in the team's biggest game of the season, Jackson did not start either half as the Eagles fell to third-ranked Duke, 84-68, Thursday night in Durham, N.C.
"Practice matters," was Donahue's response to the media after the game when asked about Jackson's demotion. (via Jerry Spar, WEEI)
There was speculation before the game that Jackson was sick, but that has not yet been confirmed or denied. Jackson finished with seven points and six assists in 32 minutes. Dallas Elmore started the game in place of Jackson and finished with a season-high 10 points in 32 minutes.
The move to bench Jackson was reminiscent of Patriots head coach Bill Belichick's decision to bench Wes Welker for the first series of New England's AFC Divisional Round match-up against the rival New York Jets.