Al Skinner Chat Wrap

Oct. 26, 2001

Al Skinner: I am here and ready to take your questions!!!

Barry (Denver): Will BC utilize a 3 guard set this year? Can you envision Bell, Sidney and Watson on the floor at the same time?

Al Skinner: Short answer is yes. I think we will have that type of situation depending on the opponent. We have thought about it and will utilize.

Pat-Cohasset: What will be the role this year of talneted recruit jermaine Watson?

Al Skinner: It really hasn't been defined yet. What we are trying to figure out how he best helps the team and best utilze his abilities. We define that as the season goes. We never have dictated roles at the beginning of the season. That can work against you.

Corey Grand rapids: Al, Your team had a great year last year. Do you fell any pressure?

Al Skinner: Not at all. Last year was a great year for us. This is a new year with a different team. With the graduation of some guys, this team has changed. If that same team was returning you would want to improve on what you did. But we are integrating new people and we will play differently. I don't bring that pressure from last year to this team. They have to create their own success which I am sure they will do.

Peter Zukowski (Boston): Coach, Congratulations on a great run last year! It is going to be fun having the Dukies up at Chestnut Hill. Is there any kind of a revenge feeling after what Williams did at the end of the game at Cameron last year? Good luck this year, can't wait for another trip to the NCAAs and hopefully another Big East Title

Al Skinner: I don't think that has any impact on us. It was an emotional game, like most games. It just happened in the moment but it doesn't linger. We don't need that to motivate us.

Chris (Connecticut): How does the recruiting class look so far this year?

Al Skinner: We are working at it but we can't comment about individuals. We have two verbal commitments and we have a couple more I feel confident about. We take the extra time that we need to get quality guys.

Evan (NY): As a freshman and a sophomore, Kenny Walls displayed explosive athleticism including Beerbohm-like dunks. He was supposedly bothered by a knee injury last year, is he healthy once again where we could expect to see that athleticism in his final year?

Al Skinner: He had a severe case of tendinitis and it impacted the way he played his junior year. He has shown he is back to form, we just hope he can sustain that. He is healthy now, he is doing the things necessary to keep it at bay.

Darius(Mpls): I was wondering if you can comment on the progression of Troy Bell as a player and person in his time at BC?

Al Skinner: Obviousley, as a player, he just keeps getting better. To come back as a sophmore and be co-player of the year, I think he should have been the player of the year my self. He had such an impact on our club. The thing that is most impressive is how he has conducted himself. He is so humble and respectful in what he has accomplished. He has been able to represent BC and himself very well.

Matt (Newton, MA): How will the team respond to the loss of Harley, Singletary and Beerbohm, especially on the defensive end of the floor? Will this year's team be able to match the defensive intensity of last year's squad?

Al Skinner: We will be able to match it. I'm not sure we will match the style though. We were much smaller and our focus was to take people out of their comfort level. The intensity will remain even in a half court set.

Casey (Seton Hall): Coach, is there any team in the big east that stands out as the favorite in the league this year? Best of Luck to you and the Eagles.

Al Skinner: On the East side, Connecticut and Miami are the two most talented teams. UConn has the edge there. They have the experience and they guys coming back. They have Butler who is one of the best players in the league. Providence and St. Johns will be good, it will be a very tough year. On the other side, GTown is always talented. It's yet to be see what impact Syracuse will make. Seton Hall, even though you lost two first rounders, you will still be very good. It will be a year as people said, there may not be one great team, but there are so many good teams. I see 6 or 7 teams in the tourney this year.

Steve (Boston): Al, does the addition of Nate D. at center make up for loss of Harley and Singletary from a rebounding standpoint or are the boards an area of concern this season?

Al Skinner: It really wasn't an area of concern for us last year. The way we play defense, we try to force turnovers on the perimeter so we aren't always in the best position for the rebound. No one individual was responsible .. as a team we did a good job. Everyone shares that effort.

MC in Brighton, MA: Al, I like the attitude you have brought to campus, but are you going to help bring Midnight Madness to campus? I think many of us would have liked to seen that this year.

Al Skinner: The adminstration and I agree that it will just not work for us. I appreciate the enthusiasm but practice is practice and we want to focus on that and get prepared. I've never been a strong believer in that. I realize it can be a fun evening but I've also found that when I've done it we've lost a day or two of practice time and there are very limited practice times before you first game. I just don't feel comfortable making that sacrifice.

It's going to be a very fine year in the Big East .. lots of competitive teams. The top teams will always be good, it's about how good the teams are at the bottom and we have good teams top to bottom. When teams walk into opposing arenas they will all feel like they have a chance to win .. and they do.

I have to run now but thanks for all the questions .. take care.

Boston College Athletics

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