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November 2nd,
2006
By Joel
Welser
jwelser@collegehoops.net
Broadcast Basketball
Boston
College Eagles
Overall Rank:
#10
Conference
Rank:
#2 ACC
2005-06:
28-8, 11-5, 3rd
2005-06
postseason: NCAA
 After
another successful season on Chestnut Hill,
Boston College begins the new era without Craig Smith.
Despite the recent accomplishments, the Eagles leave a sense of
underachievement when it comes to March. Victories in Tobacco
Road are only so nice when compared to losses against
Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Villanova when it matters the most.
Who’s Out:
Smith
averaged 17.6 points and 9.4 rebounds per game during his senior
season. Not only will those numbers be greatly missed, but the
effectiveness of the rest of the team could be diminished,
specifically returning senior Jared Dudley, without Smith’s
presence on the court. Starting point guard Louis Hinnant has
also wrapped up his career for the Eagles. After averaging 7.5
points and 4.6 assists, Hinnant will leave behind a team that
needs to find a new floor leader. Seldom used Ted Dunlap and
Evan Neisler won’t be suiting up for Boston College this season.
Who’s In:
Nobody is
better at finding diamonds in the rough than Coach Al Skinner.
Up front the pressure is put on Shamari Spears to become the
next Smith or Dudley. Spears will do the dirty work under the
basket and do it well. The 6-6, 245 pounder is a little
undersized and needs to continue to work on his shot, but he
should find some minutes as a freshman. Tyrelle Blair, a 6-11
transfer from Loyola-Chicago, could find some minutes as a
reserve. Daye Kaba has a decent shot and can get to the basket
and Coach Skinner will need him to provide some depth in the
backcourt. With a little strength and experience, Tyler Roche
has the potential to develop into a nice pickup for the Eagles.
The 6-7 small forward has a terrific shot. It may be difficult
for the two time New Hampshire Gatorade Player of the Year to
find minutes as a freshman, but in a year or two Roche should be
a solid contributor.
Who to Watch:
There
is a lot of depth in the frontcourt, which means Dudley will
most likely spend his time at three and not the four. Dudley
averaged 16.7 points and 6.6 rebounds last year and even better
things are expected for his senior campaign. The post spots can
be mixed up a bit with the absence of Smith. Sean Williams is a
great talent with major NBA potential. After seeing limited
minutes off the bench last year, Williams will make a lot more
noise this year, or so BC fans hope. John Oates started all 36
games last year, averaging 3.4 points and 2.5 boards. The
numbers aren’t huge, but Oates is an experienced big body.
Akida McLain, a 6-8 junior, will provide even more experience
off the bench.
Final
Projection:
Tyrese Rice will
take over the point guard duties after a successful freshman
season in which he averaged 9.2 points and 2.5 assists off the
bench. Rice is the best returning long range shooter and has
enough passing ability to drive and dish to the big guys.
Marquez Haynes can fill in at either guard spot. His outside
shot isn’t great by any means, but his lightning quick first
step can provide a spark off the bench. Sean Marshall will
return to the starting role at the shooting guard spot after
averaging 11.1 points per game. Rice and Marshall can become
extremely dangerous if they make the outside shot with more
consistency, not to mention actually stopping the opposition
from doing the same. If either can knock down the three ball,
it will open up the interior where BC will do most of its
damage.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
NCAA
Projected
Starting Five:
Tyrese Rice,
Sophomore, Guard, 9.2 points per game
Sean Marshall,
Senior, Guard, 11.1 points per game
Jared Dudley,
Senior, Forward, 16.7 points per game
Sean Williams,
Junior, Forward, 3.1 points per game
John Oates,
Junior, Forward, 3.4 points per game
Also:
Complete
ACC Preview & Ranking
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