Our SCACCHoops.com ACC Basketball previews start today with the Boston College Eagles.
ACC Season Previews
Boston College Season Preview
Projected Statistics (Returning Players Only)Explanation of Statistic Projections
Things to WatchThe rebuild of Boston College's basketball program has been slow and methodical, but Steve Donahue has the team headed in the right direction. After a 16-17 season that saw the Eagles finish eighth in the ACC, plus get a win in the ACC Tournament, a climb farther up the ACC standings is a definite possibility, especially with almost the entire team in tact this season. We didn't know a lot about Olivier Hanlan before the season, but we sure got to know him by the end of the season. Hanlan won ACC Freshman of the Year honors, averaging 15.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. Hanlan scored in double digits in 28 of 33 games, including a 41 point effort in the first round of the ACC Tournament. Joe Rahon played really well as a freshman too, averaging 10.1 points per game, and 3.7 assists per game as well. Hanlan and Rahon will be among the top backcourt tandems in the league. Lonnie Jackson led the team in three pointers, shooting 38% from behind the arc. Patrick Heckmann can launch some threes as well. Long story short, a lot of the team's prodcution will come from the backcourt. There hasn't been a lot of production from the frountcourt. The most reliable player is junior Ryan Anderson. Anderson was second on the team in scoring last season, averaging 14.9 points per game. Anderson was also far and away the team's leading rebounder. His 8.0 rebounds per game was nearly four rebounds per game better than anyone else on the team. Eddie Odio came on as the season came along. The pogo stick (he's 6-8 and 210 pounds) only averaged 4.3 points per game, but had some pretty good dunks. Dennis Clifford was the team's shot blocker, averaging just under a block a game. The opportunity will be there for the Eagles to get in to the NCAA Tournament with the non conference schedule ahead of them. The Eagles have road games with Providence, Purdue, USC, Auburn, and Harvard, and play in the Coaches vs. Cancer Tip Off, and the 2K Sports Classic. In conference play, the Eagles get Duke and Pitt once at home, UNC in Chapel Hill, and will get the other conference newcomers, Syracuse and Notre Dame, twice. If Boston College is going to make a big leap up the ACC standings, they will have to be much better rebounding. The Eagles ranked 302nd in the country in rebounding, averaging 31 rebounds per game. Only one player is gone from last year's team, and this team is loaded with sophomores and juniors. They are still young, but improving. If Olivier Hanlan can improve on last season's effort, then he will be a first team All-ACC by the end of next season. The team will be able to score without much problem, but as stated earlier, the rebounding needs to be better. The Eagles should improve on their eighth place finish this year, and a bid in a postseason tourney is not out of the question. by Will Ojanen @WillsWorldMN Fantasy Player to WatchWith his ability to do just about anything, Olivier Hanlan is a must own. He led the team in minutes played, scoring, and steals, and was among the team leaders in rebounding. He's also a really strong shooter from three point range. Last Year's Player Statistics
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