BC Basketball | Final Grades

Before I get into grades I should note how I arrived at such grades. My criteria was how each player lived up to expectations coming into the year. So Tyrese Rice and Tyler Roche are on very different grading scales here.

Joe Trapani- B+
Trapani was a very pleasant surprise for the team this year. He was second on the team in points per game (13.4), free throw percentage (79%) and 3 point percentage (36%). He led the team in rebounding and blocks per game (6.6 and 1.0 respectively). I didn't give Trapani an A for the year because there were a few games this season where he disappeared and was a non-factor (like Clemson, Ga Tech, or St. Louis). Yet, Trapani did come up huge in some big games like a remarkable 20 point, 7 rebound, 5 block performance in a win versus Duke. Look for Trapani to provide more of the same gutty performances for the eagles in the years to come.

Rakim Sanders- B
For the first half of the season, Sanders was a very frustrating player to watch. Yet, during the stretch run of ACC play, Rakim really asserted himself as a more consistent scoring threat. He started looking for his offense more and added an effective inside game to go along with his solid perimeter game. Sanders also more than held his own on the boards as well as on the defensive end. If Sanders keeps improving like he did during the second half of this year, he will leave BC will a very successful career.

Reggie Jackson- B
Reggie Jackson provided BC with much needed spark off the bench this year. He proved to be a dynamic slasher this year and played big in big games such as @UNC and Duke. Reggie also provided for some solid rebounding this season, averaging 3.3 a game in only 20 minutes a game. He only got a B though because he outside shooting was mediocre. He shot a lousy 27% from 3 point range and needs to improve his perimeter offense in the future.

Corey Raji- B
Corey Raji saw his numbers take a big decline during the second half of the year. After starting the season scoring in double figures in 9 of the first 16 games of the year, he stumbled down he stretch, scoring in double figures in only 4 of the last 18 games of the season. Yet, Corey still received a respectable grade of a B, for his hard-nosed play, and consistent production of the glass. He finished the year with respectable number like 9.9 points per game, 6.1 rebounds per game, and 49% field goal percentage. The one thing that Corey really, really needs to work on is his jump shot in general. He got lots of open mid-range looks this year and for the most part, couldn't capitalize. Yet, hopefully Corey continues his hard-working ways and keeps grabbing key offensive rebounds (like he did all this year) in the future.

Biko Paris- B
Unfortunately, Biko Paris did not get much opportunity to prove himself this year. He only played 12.4 minutes per game, an 8 minute decrease from last year. Yet, when Biko did play, we saw spurts of brilliance as well as times of out of control play. The biggest difference in Biko's play from last year to this year would be his perimeter shooting. This year Biko led the team with a 37% 3 point percentage, much improved from last year when he only shot 26%. Biko also showed us this year that he has the ability to drive and penetrate, yet not on a consistent basis yet. Overall, I was very pleasantly surprised by Biko's improved offensive game this year but, the offense did seem more stagnant when he was running the point as opposed to Rice.

Tyrese Rice- B-
What an up and down year Tyrese Rice has this season. As he went, so did the team. For that reason, we can credit much of the eagles' improbable tournament appearance to Tyrese Rice's performance and leadership. With that being said, I was a little disappointed with Tyrese Rice's offensive production this year. That is not to say that we wasn't productive, because he was extremely productive this year, but after being spoiled by him for the previous 3 seasons, I expected a few huge games out of him this year. Yet, not once did Rice go off for more than 30 points this year. He did have big games this year, but none like he did last when he went off for 32 against Wake and NC State and 46 against UNC. Also, in the final 7 games after the big win over Duke, Tyrese shot just 30% from the field, scoring only 12.6 points per game. In conclusion, Tyrese Rice's senior season was definitely successful, but could have been so much better than it was.

Cortney Dunn- C+
Cortney Dunn's season is pretty simple to diagnose. Really the only reason he played was that he was a big body who could give Southern a blow. He played some decent defense this year and did what was asked of him, but didn't rebound as well as he should have (1.9 per game) and provided for no offensive production what so ever. Hopefully Cortney can add on more strength for next season and get tougher in the paint.

Tyler Roche- C
Unfortunately for Roche, he was forced to play power forward for most of the year. He was overpowered by bigger and stronger 4s and had a hard time holding his own in the paint. With that being said, Roche finally showed that he might be able to fill the shooter role as he had his best shooting season thus far. He shot 42% from the field and 36% from 3 point range, both career highs. Yet, Roche still missed too many open shots and needs to continue improving his game to be a more effective player in the ACC.

Josh Southern- C
Josh Southern showed a much improved offensive game towards the end of the year, but still played no where near his potential. He should be putting up 10 ppg and 7 rpg, but instead just averaged 6 points and 5 rebounds per contest. Southern needs to get stronger, develop more polished low post offense and defense, and play with more passion if he wants to contend with all the other ACC bigs.

Evan Ravenel- n/a
Not enough playing time


Dallas Elmore- n/a
Not enough playing time

Al Skinner and staff- B+
The early NCAA exit was disappointing, but very, very few people thought that BC would make a postseason tournament coming into the year, let alone the NCAA tournament as a 7 seed. Much of this success should go to Al Skinner and his staff. Al got his team to believe in his system and knocked off ACC giants Duke and North Carolina. Year in and year out, Al is criticized but it doesn't stop him from putting teams on the court every season that just get the most of their abilities. It would be nice if we could stop losing to the likes of Vermont, Robert Morris,