ACC Preview: #3 Boston College Eagles

Projected Starters
C-Sean Williams 6'10 235 JR- 3.1ppg 3.4 rpg 2.0blk 55%FG 51%FT
PF-Akida McLain 6'8 220 JR- 4.2ppg 2.7rpg 50%FG 72%FT
SF-Jared Dudley 6'7 225 SR- 16.7ppg 6.6rpg 3.2apg 49%FG 35%3pt
SG-Sean Marshall 6'6 212 SR- 11.1ppg 3.9rpg 2.3apg 43%FG 61%FT
PG-Tyrese Rice 6'0 183 SO- 9.3ppg 2.5apg 43%FG 39%3pt

Background
Al Skinner always seems to get the most out of his players and is finally getting the credit he is due for building a top-fleet program at BC. The recruiting class arranged for 2007 is shaping up to be the best in school history and top 25 in the nation. Craig Smith was the glue, the mold, the center of a BC philosophy that will be sorely missed this upcoming season. But with Al on the sidelines, any overachievement will come as no surprise.

Premiere Players
Jared Dudley is the total package on offense. He can play around the perimeter, nail shots from behind the arc and possesses astounding ball control. His arrangement of post moves allows Dudley to add a post game and be effective against any defender. His basketball IQ is abnormally high and relishes performing in the clutch. When Dudley has the ball, you always know you’re in good hands. Tyrese Rice takes over the point guard control from three-year starter Louis Hinnant, who led the ACC in assist/turnover ratio last season. Skinner and BC fans will go through some growing pains with Rice running the offense, as he is very prone to playing out of control and committing foolish turnovers, almost the anti-Hinnant. Other times, Skinner will be grateful to trade the turnovers for his lethal outside shooting. Rice is easily the best three-point popper on the roster. Also starring for the Eagles is center Sean Williams, who some are projecting as a future NBA prospect. Williams is the biggest question mark on the team- if he developed some form of an offensive game over the summer, possibly a mini-hook shot or some Craig Smith-esque post moves, the Eagles stock will rise. He’s already got the shot-blocking and defense down to handle the best big men in the ACC such as McRoberts and Hansbrough. The Eagles cannot survive, though, with less than six points per game out of their starting center.

Role Players
Sean Marshall is a very formidable role player for the Eagles. His movements with the ball and ability to create his own jumper are his one glaring weakness, but otherwise, he is very solid in all other areas. His three-point shot is quite accurate but he needs to avoid droughts throughout the season. Marshall’s defense is also often overlooked. He is easily the Eagles best shutdown defender and did a good job against J.J. Redick last season. Akida McLain will have to take a huge step forward to keep that starting power forward role from freshman Shamari Spears. McClain is tall and lanky and showed spurts of encouraging potential in various games, but also disappears in some. His post moves are his strength and he can operate well in the post for someone of his stature. The two freshmen that will see action for BC is Tyler Roche and Shamari Spears. Roche is a deadly shooter who will be very valuable off the bench for a big trey. Spears could evolve into Craig Smith by his senior year, and all reports out of practice indicate he is the real deal. He’s well built, has a strong mid-range jumper for a freshman and will benefit from BC’s offensive philosophy. John Oates and Tyrelle Blair are the big men in the middle off the pine. Oates started last season and showed hints of solid three-point range but gets into foul trouble easily and is not a strong post presence. Blair is a transfer from Loyola who is the sleeper for the Eagles this season.

Final Thoughts
There are looming question marks for almost every player on the BC roster. The biggest ones are on projected starters Sean Williams and Tyrese Rice. If those two improved their weaknesses greatly over the summer and prove this season Williams can score and Rice can handle running the offense, BC could be in for a top-10 season. With question marks, though, comes potential problems, which means BC could also wind up out of the top 30.

Schedule and Projection
11/10 vs. New Hampshire- W
11/13 vs. Vermont- W
11/22 @ Providence- W
11/25 vs. Rhode Island- W
11/29 vs. Michigan State- W
12/2 @ Massachusetts- L
12/6 vs. Fairfield- W
12/10 vs. Maryland- W
12/17 vs. Sacred Heart- W
12/23 @ Kansas- L
12/28 vs. Duquesne- W
12/31 vs. Northeastern- W
1/3 vs. Yale- W
1/6 @ NC State- W
1/9 @ Wake Forest- W
1/13 vs. Virginia- W
1/16 vs. Miami- W
1/20 @ Clemson- W
1/23 vs. Florida State- W
1/28 @ Duke- L
1/31 vs. Hartford- W
2/3 vs. Virginia Tech- W
2/7 @ Miami- W
2/11 @ Florida State- W
2/14 vs. Duke- W
2/17 vs. North Carolina- L
2/21 @ Virginia Tech- L
2/24 vs. Clemson- W
3/4 @ Georgia Tech- L

Projected Record: 23-6 (12-4)