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#15 Boston College
Eagles
Atlantic Coast
Conference
2004-05: 25-5,
13-3, 1st Big East
2004-05 postseason:
NCAA
By
Joel Welser
Boston College heads into
the ACC with the momentum of a 25-5 season. The season ended in
disappointment with a loss to Wisconsin Milwaukee in the second
round of the NCAA Tournament, but with four starters returning,
the Eagles will be one of the favorites in the ACC.
Who’s Out: Nate
Doornekamp started all 30 games at center averaging 5.2 points
and 4.8 rebounds. His absence, along with the absence of Sean
Williams for the first semester due to off court problems, makes
the forward spot extremely thin. Jermaine Watson was the first
man off the bench and the guard averaged 9.6 points per game
during his final season in Chesnut Hill. Steve Hailey averaged
17.4 minutes per game in two starts and will transfer from BC.
Little used freshman forward Gordon Watt is also transferring.
Who’s In: Evan
Neisler will be forced into action while Sean Williams is gone.
The 6-7 combo forward is a tough, hard nosed rebounder and will
learn on the job early in the year. His perimeter game needs
some work, but Neisler will be a quality option off the bench by
the end of the year. Marquez Hayden can do a little bit of
everything. The combo guard is exceptionally quick and will
blow by his share of ACC defenders. Tyrese Rice is an amazing
shooter. The 6-0 guard is undersized for the two spot, but
he’ll still get a chance to display his sharp shooting abilities
at Boston College.
Who to Watch:
For one more year this team is about Craig Smith. Last year he
led the squad with 18.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per contest.
With Smith on the floor, the Eagles have a chance to beat
anybody day in and out day out. If he struggles, Boston College
will have trouble searching for a new identity.
Projected
Conference Rank: Louis Hinnant isn’t a prolific scoring
threat, but he gets the job done running the show. Sean
Marshall is a proven scorer and the teams biggest long range
threat. Jared Dudley and Craig Smith will both battle each
other for the team lead in points and rebounds. Akida McLain
and newcomer Evan Neisler will have to fill in the absence of
Sean Williams, and Williams might not be physically or mentally
ready to play once he does return. If McLain and Neisler can do
a decent job and at least grab a few rebounds and be solid
defensively, a 3rd place finish in ACC is doable.
Projected
Post-season Tournament: NCAA
Projected Starting
Five:
Louis Hinnant, Senior,
Guard, 5.3 points per game
Sean Marshall, Junior,
Guard, 11.1 points per game
Jared Dudley, Junior,
Forward, 16.5 points per game
Craig Smith, Senior,
Forward, 18.0 points per game
Akida McLain,
Sophomore, Forward, 3.9 points per game
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