| Ryan Anderson will lead the Boston College attack again this season. (US Presswire) |
Preview: Boston College Eagles
Last year: 9-22 overall, 4-12 ACC (ninth), no postseason
Coach: Steve Donahue (third year, 30-35; 13th overall, 176-173)
Projected starters: PG Jordan Daniels, Soph. (6.4 ppg; 2.6 apg, 1.6 rpg); SG Lonnie Jackson, Soph. (8.3 ppg; 2.5 rpg; 1.6 apg); PF Ryan Anderson, Soph. (11.2 ppg; 7.4 rpg; 1.0 apg); G/F Patrick Heckmann, Soph. (8.3 ppg; 3.0 rpg); C Dennis Clifford, Soph. (8.9 ppg; 4.7 rpg; 0.9 bpg)
Top newcomers: G Joe Rahon. The 6-2, 195-pound freshman from Torrey Pines (San Diego) High School was All-State in California for three years. He averaged 22.1 ppg and 7.3 rpg last year as a senior. … PG Olivier Hanlan. The 6-4, 188-pound freshman from Quebec’s New Hampton School averaged 17.0 ppg, 7.0 apg, and 6.0 rpg.
Key loss: Senior G Matt Humphrey was second on the team in scoring at 10.3 ppg, and his 31 3-pointers in ACC games were more than any other Eagle. He transferred to West Virginia after the season.
What you need to know: Coach Donahue had 11 newcomers last season and the Eagles struggled. The team has eight sophomores this season and should show the benefit of a year’s experience. Boston College returns more than 70 percent of its scoring, rebounding, and assists from last season. The Eagles will be better, but they’ll still struggle to compete in the ACC.
Mark the calendar:
- Nov. 15 vs. Baylor: The Eagles will get tested in the second game of the season when they play a Baylor team that made it to the Elite Eight last season on a neutral site. The Bears lost their frontcourt, but they return PG Pierre Jackson (13.8 ppg, 5.9 apg) and sharpshooter Brady Heslip (.455 3-point percentage).
- Dec. 4 vs. Harvard: Boston College lost to the Ivy League champions last season, but the Eagles will have a chance to regain superiority over the Boston region this season. Harvard’s team was shaken by an academic cheating scandal in the offseason. F Andrew Van Nest changes sides for this year’s game. He transferred to Boston College after three years at Harvard and will be able to play immediately.
- Dec. 29 vs. Holy Cross: The Crusaders pounded Boston College 86-64 in the second game of last season. The Eagles get a chance for revenge against their cross-state rival. F Dave Dudzinski (9.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg) is the leading returning scorer for Holy Cross.
Biggest question: Will the Eagles show signs of maturity, or is a team loaded with sophomores still too young to compete in the ACC? Experience and returning talent are a plus, but they return the same players who went 9-22 last year.
Best-case scenario: The Eagles’ freshmen guards mesh well with the returning talent, and the perimeter threat helps open space for the front line, led by Anderson. Boston College builds confidence during a soft nonconference slate and manages to win its first two ACC road games, at Wake and Virginia Tech. They won’t challenge for the conference title, but six to eight conference wins earn them an NIT bid.
Worst-case scenario: A young team still has a lot of growing up to do, and the freshmen and sophomore guards aren’t up to the challenge. Teams are able to double team Anderson, negating the Eagles’ sole offensive threat. The team slumps to another year of single-digit wins.
Reality: The Eagles will be better and have a shot at matching last year’s win total before they start conference play. They’ll win 12 to 14 games, but Boston College will need to wait another year before taking a trip to the postseason.
Season opens: vs. Florida International, Nov. 11, 2 p.m. ET (ESPN3)
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from ACC bloggers Shawn Krest and Sean Bielawski, follow @CBSSportsACC.