Boston College Athletics
Men's Basketball: 2009-10 Outlook
October 21, 2009 | Men's Basketball
Oct. 21, 2009
The 2009-10 season promises to be an exciting - and intriguing - one for Boston College basketball and its faithful followers.
The excitement stems from the return of four starters who combined to start 136 games last winter. Add to that the fact that the 2008-09 Eagles ignored the preseason pessimists and exceeded even their biggest boosters' expectations. BC won 22 games, including nine league contests, and gained its seventh NCAA Tournament berth in the last nine years.
The intrigue comes with replacing Tyrese Rice. Honored by the ACC after each of his four seasons, Rice finished his career with 2,099 points and 594 assists. He logged 4,202 minutes in 132 contests.
"The thing that we'll miss the most is his leadership and the fact that he made a lot of big shots," head coach Al Skinner said of Rice. "Tyrese was someone you could depend on, especially late in games, to do the right thing."
Still, the coach can take some comfort in the return of a strong junior class. Swingman Rakim Sanders, forwards Corey Raji and Joe Trapani, and center Josh Southern all return as savvy veterans. All four players started all 34 games last winter. Trapani, in his first year with the Eagles, finished second in scoring behind Rice, averaging 13.4 points per game. He led the team in rebounding at 6.6 rpg. Sanders was right on his heels with a 12.9 ppg average, while Raji posted 9.9 ppg. Southern averaged 6.0 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, while shooting a team-best 50.3 percent from the field.
"Now they (juniors) have to shoulder the responsibility. They can no longer look to someone else as far as the direction we're going," Skinner said. "It's a lot different sitting in the driver's seat than it is sitting in the passenger's seat. When you're driving, you're in control. They've played a lot of minutes, a lot of games. They should be prepared."
Senior forward and 2009-10 co-captain Tyler Roche is the most experienced Eagle. The Hooksett, N.H., resident has played in 80 collegiate contests, making 29 starts. His 3.5 ppg, 1.5 rpg averages don't begin to tell the story of his contributions to last year's squad. Skinner believes Roche's experience will pay great dividends for the 2009-10 club.
"The reason we did well toward the end of last season is because of his improved play. The reason we beat Duke is because of his improved play," the coach said. "Tyler has a good understanding as far as our execution is concerned. We need all five players executing and he allowed us to do that consistently."
Three more players - juniors Biko Paris and Cortney Dunn, and sophomore Reggie Jackson - also figure to improve on impressive 2008-09 campaigns. Paris saw action in all 34 games, recording 3.4 points and 1.7 assists in 12.4 reserve minutes per game. Dunn patrolled the paint as a staunch defender and sturdy rebounder. Jackson got his feet wet - and made quite a splash - in his first season. The Colorado Springs, Colo., product posted double-digit point totals in 12 games and finished with a solid 7.0 ppg average.
Two Eagles - sophomores Dallas Elmore and Evan Ravenel - saw limited game action last winter, but reckon to see increased time this season.
All totaled, BC returns 78.0 percent of its scoring, 88.9 percent of its rebounding, 77.4 percent of its steals and 65.0 percent of its assists from last year's 20-plus win team. All this leaves Skinner cautiously optimistic about the season ahead.
"A large percentage of the players on this year's team contributed to last year's success," Skinner said. "You'd like to think we have more weapons available to us. We have guys who can score points and who are more than willing to do that. That's what we're hanging our hats on.
"We clearly have some individuals who have the potential to go out and get 20 (points) any night. In the past, (opponents thought) if you cut off Tyrese, you beat BC. That's no longer the case. We have enough where we're going to be able to score."
Yet, the veteran coach is ever vigilant about getting ahead of himself - or allowing his players to do so. The stern challenges of ACC play will require 94 feet of execution - offense and defense.
"This team has a lot of confidence on the offensive end. How well we play defense is going to be the key. I'm hoping we can be a more consistent defensive team than we've been in the past because we'll be a little more experienced and guys have a better understanding of how we need to play."
In order to sort through the versatile Eagle lineup, let's take a position-by-position, number-by-number look at the team.
BC Basketball By Number
1 (Point Guard)
The Eagles have two players - Biko Paris and Reggie Jackson - who will share the point-guard duties. This duo figures to give the Eagles a different look than what fans and foes have seen in recent years.
"Biko and Reggie will give us ballhandling and we should be better defensively," Skinner said. "We won't get as much scoring, but our assists should increase and our turnovers will go down. Both are very capable of making plays."
For the past four years, it was Rice who assumed the on-court reins for nearly every minute of every game. Occasionally, Rice slid to the off-guard slot, which allowed Paris the chance to control the contest.
This winter, Paris will be counted on to do so again - only this time for many more minutes each night. The proud New Orleans native is a shifty guard who has shown his ability to both penetrate and score, and penetrate and pass. He can comfortably hit the three-point shot. Last winter, he enjoyed four double-figure scoring efforts, including a highlight-reel 15-point effort against Duke in the ACC Tournament. Paris shot 5-for-5 from the floor, including 3-for-3 from long range, in the contest.
Skinner speaks glowingly of his junior co-captain.
"Biko is as tough a kid as we have. I believe he's more than ready to take the reins. He has great leadership qualities and he has the respect of his teammates. He has a good understanding of the game and a good basketball IQ," the coach said.
Jackson provided a great spark off the bench in his first collegiate season. A very active player, he scored his points in a variety of ways - off the break, from the wing and in the lane. He led the Eagles in steals seven times, in assists three times and in rebounds once. Jackson grabbed five or more rebounds in each of 10 games.
Most impressively, Jackson seemed to play his best when the lights were the brightest. He hit eight field goals and totaled 17 points in the Eagles' win at top-ranked North Carolina. He tallied 15 points and five rebounds in a home win over Duke, and registered 11 points and six rebounds in an overtime win at Georgia Tech.
This year, he'll be asked to take on the additional task of directing the team from the point. Skinner recognizes the challenges this poses for this sophomore.
"Reggie is going to take on the responsibility of a new position, which I think is extremely difficult. I think it will eventually enhance his game," the coach explained. "In the short term he may struggle a little trying to incorporate everyone into the game, but once he has that I think he'll be much more effective. He becomes one of those lead guards who is capable of doing a little bit of everything - scoring, taking it to the basket, making assists. He becomes a monster at that position."
2 (Shooting Guard)
The Eagles seem well set at the shooting-guard spot. Why, you might ask? Well, battle-tested junior Rakim Sanders returns for his third year at the position. Sophomores Reggie Jackson and Dallas Elmore join Sanders on the wing.
"We have good-sized wings," Skinner said. "Each one is a little different and each has different strengths. I think that makes this position really, really effective for us."
The sturdy Sanders has started all 65 games over the past two seasons. He impressed everyone with an 11.3 ppg average as a freshman. Last winter, he raised his average to 12.9 ppg, while shooting a slightly-improved field-goal percentage (.455). His free-throw shooting vaulted from sub-50 percent to 68.4 percent. His ACC numbers were even better (14.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg).
After another offseason of hard work, the 6-foot-5-inch Sanders is poised to assume a place among the Atlantic Coast Conference's top performers.
"Rakim has the potential to be elite. The opportunity is there. Now he has to go out and earn it," Skinner said. "I'd like to think he's going to reach for the brass ring and make it work for him. It's there. It's in front of him."
Jackson and Elmore will spell Sanders. While Jackson has proven his mettle in ACC action, Elmore will be a fresh face for conference foes.
A Coloradoan just like Jackson, Elmore saw action in 12 games last year, including three ACC contests. A fine athlete, Elmore is an adept perimeter scorer who can also use his 6-foot-5-inch frame to his advantage at the defensive end.
"Dallas has a better understanding this year," Skinner said. "Hopefully he can stay healthy and get a chance to get on the floor. If he does, he's going to give us some valuable minutes."
3 (Small Forward)
Junior Corey Raji figures to be the stalwart at the small-forward position. Elmore and Sanders will also see time at this position.
A contributor since the day he arrived on campus (65 games played, 40 starts), Raji took a big step forward last winter. He fell just short of a double-digit scoring average (9.9 ppg), while shooting 49.5 percent from the floor. Raji's hard work, tenacity and deft instincts have made him a superior rebounder at both ends of the floor. He actually grabbed more offensive (112) than defensive rebounds (97) in 2008-09. The 6-foot-6-inch forward averaged 6.1 rebounds per game.
"We're fortunate to have an individual who can play but you really don't have to run a lot of plays for," Skinner said. "Corey can play the game and just react to what his teammates are doing. He's very effective without being the focal point. He's going to make plays that you can't predict. That's what makes him so valuable. Corey's a great utility guy. I don't know how you really prepare for him."
4 (Power Forward)
Junior Joe Trapani and senior Tyler Roche are the most experienced players at the power-forward spot. This duo will receive support from sophomore Evan Ravenel. Skinner believes this combination can be valuable for the Eagles.
"Tyler and Joe give us good ballhanding, perimeter shooting and some intelligence at the position," the coach said. "This allows us to execute. If we're going to be effective on the offensive end, it's important that our "4" can handle the ball and make plays."
Trapani made an immediate impact in his first season with the Eagles last winter. The Madison, Conn., product led the team in rebounding and finished second in scoring. He scored 20 or more points in each of five games and recorded a team-high six point-rebound double-doubles.
Skinner is confident Trapani, with one year of ACC experience, can further advance his game in 2009-10.
"Joe grew as the (2008-09) season went along. He continued to get better and he became much more effective," Skinner said. "We're now looking to continue that growth. He does a little bit of everything. He rebounds the ball. He can stretch the defense with his shooting. He's a decent ballhandler and can help us make plays that way. He's just a good all-around player."
Roche proved himself a valuable commodity last season, primarily as a reserve but also as a frontline performer in some key contests. Known largely as a perimeter shooter, Roche most impressed his coaches with the other parts of his game - defense, hustle, passing and moving without the ball.
"Offensively and defensively he settled in. He knew what we needed," Skinner said of Roche, before looking ahead. "He can make the open jump shot, play solid at the defensive end and handle the basketball. He runs our stuff and makes sure guys are doing what they're supposed to be doing. That's what senior leadership will do - making sure that we're - as a team - doing the right thing."
Ravenel will also look to play an increased role in 2009-10. The 6-foot-8-inch forward logged 144 minutes as a freshman, mostly in early-season contests. This season he'll utilize that experience and compete for ACC minutes. Ravenel has a soft shooting touch around the hoop, and thrives on battles in the paint.
"Evan's lost weight so it's made him a little bit quicker. He's got decent skills for a guy his size. He can handle and shoot the ball," Skinner said. "The ingredients are there. Now it's a matter of mixing it all together and coming up with a finished product. He's making an effort to do that. He has a chance to be rather effective."
5 (Center)
Junior Josh Southern will serve as the anchor at the center position, while gaining relief and support from classmate Cortney Dunn.
"Hopefully we can really get some good interior defense where they're going to be extremely effective. I think we will. I think they've worked hard enough," the coach said of this junior pair. "I think they're strong enough to play against anyone in this league and hold their own.
"And maybe we'll get a little bit more scoring than last season. If we get that, then it's going to make us that much better."
The 6-foot-10-inch product of Saginaw, Mich., continued the steady progress he made in his freshman season last winter. Southern averaged 6.0 points and 5.1 rebounds in 22.7 minutes per game in 2008-09. He improved his scoring and rebounding averages from one year earlier, while also boosting his free-throw shooting percentage. For the second straight year, Southern shot better than 50 percent from the field.
Dunn figures to play an even greater role this winter after taking a big step forward in 2008-09. Now a junior, he played just six minutes in his freshman season, before hard work and determination netted him 368 minutes in year two. The Dallas, Texas, resident averaged 0.9 ppg and 1.9 rpg, yet made his mark with solid play at the defensive end. He enjoyed several season highlights including a stellar 15-minute outing at North Carolina, a seven-rebound effort in a one-point win over Virginia Tech and an eight-point, four-rebound stint against Clemson. Skinner hopes for a similar effort from Dunn this season.
"Cortney's contribution was probably the most consistent among our frontcourt people last year. In a certain number of minutes, you knew what you were going to get and what kind of effort you were going to get," Skinner said. "Not that he got big numbers, but the effort was there and he had himself prepared night in and night out. He was someone I could depend on as far as what to expect."
THE SCHEDULE
The 2009-10 Eagles will embark on a 30-game schedule that includes 16 Atlantic Coast Conference contests, three games in the Paradise Jam, non-league home games against Providence and South Carolina, and a road date against Michigan (in the Big 10-ACC Challenge).
BC opens the season with a home game against Dartmouth on Nov. 13, and then hosts St. Francis (NY) before heading to the U.S. Virgin Islands to participate in the Paradise Jam. The Paradise Jam is an eight-team tournament. The Eagles open the tourney against Saint Joseph's on Nov. 20, and will then face either Purdue or South Dakota State in the next round. BC will conclude tournament play on Nov. 23 (against DePaul, Northern Iowa, East Carolina or Tennessee). This trip will mark BC's second appearance in the Paradise Jam. The Eagles captured the 2003 tourney title.
Boston College returns home briefly, before heading one hour south to face New England rival Providence on Nov. 28, and then venturing to Michigan to play the Wolverines in the Big 10-ACC Challenge on Dec. 2. BC has a 3-0 all-time mark in the challenge, including a 77-64 win over Michigan in Crisler Arena on Nov. 28, 2007.
The Eagles play one early-season ACC contest, hosting Miami on Dec. 6. Four New England foes - Harvard, Rhode Island, Bryant and Massachusetts - then visit Conte Forum, before the December slate concludes with an intersectional contest against defending SEC East champion South Carolina (Dec. 30).
The new year opens with two final non-league home games - against Maine on Jan. 2 and against the New Jersey Institute of Technology on Jan. 5.
The season's final 15 contests - including seven in Conte Forum - are all league games. Among the home highlights are January games against Maryland (Dec. 16) and Clemson (Jan. 27), February dates with Duke (Feb. 6) and North Carolina (Feb. 20), and the regular-season finale against Virginia (March 3).
