CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Two games in, Boston College is 2-0 with blowout victories in each game. The only senior on the team, Tyler Roche, leads the ACC in scoring as of Tuesday’s games, something no one would have figured although it’s highly unlikely that lasts much longer. It all sounds like things are clicking on all cylinders, but as the Eagles prepare for the Paradise Jam in the U.S. Virgin Island this weekend, there are some areas of concern.
Non-conference play is never just about the win-loss record, no matter the team or league. How a team progresses from one game to the next tells the story, as well as how they appear to be setting themselves up. That’s no different with this team, a team that returns all but one player from last season and has some challenges ahead before ACC play.
For the third season in a row, the Eagles began without their full team as at least one player was suspended for violating team rules. This time around, Corey Raji, Rakim Sanders and Cortney Dunn – two starters and one key reserve – were the players who sat out the first two games. The Eagles didn’t need them to win either game, but now they’ve played two full games without key players, and the impact of that isn’t lost on the coach.
“It’s kind of delayed our progress, but I think we’ll be okay,” said Al Skinner.
Skinner said that Raji and Sanders will go right back into the starting lineup when they return on Friday. As well as Roche and Reggie Jackson played, they aren’t going to be in the roles they were in during the first two games for the entire season unless players go down with season-ending injuries or get booted off the team. Added Skinner: “I think we’re going to go back to our starting lineup and establish the way we’re going to play all year long. I think that’s what’s going to be most effective.”
Roche followed up his career-high 30 points in the opener with a game-high 19 points on Tuesday, going 5-6 from long range on the night. Jackson had 17 points, tying a career high, and added seven assists. Both players are expected to be role players, with Jackson also shifting more to handling the ball and especially when Biko Paris (who also had seven assists) is out of the game. They simply did what they were supposed to, which is pick up the slack when someone else doesn’t do their job. The return of the suspended players has another benefit on those who played the first two games.
“I think we’re going to have a better balance when me and Biko actually get time to rest with guys such as Corey and Rakim back in the lineup,” said Jackson.
Even though the Eagles won by 28 on Tuesday, Skinner was concerned that the team seemed to relax once they got a good lead, especially playing against the zone defense they were up against. Roche was the only Eagle to make a three-point shot, which isn’t a positive stat since a number of teams are likely to employ a zone against them in non-conference play. The return of Sanders will certainly help there, and it’s not like Joe Trapani and Jackson can’t make those shots, but it will certainly encourage teams to continue trying a zone defense against them.
Early on, the Eagles were erratic and the Terriers had a 7-4 lead before the Eagles scored 15 straight to take the lead for good. Later, some sluggishness at both ends allowed the Terriers to get within 32-22 before they never got any closer.
Defense is an area Skinner had some concern about despite the fact that the Eagles held the Terriers to 31 percent shooting and forced 18 turnovers. The main issue was consistency, as there were periods when they shut the Terriers down and stretches where the Terriers showed some life, such as the run to get within ten late in the first half.
With their full team together, the Eagles should be in better shape, although at first they might look like a team playing their season opener instead of their third game. But the talent and experience on this team has Skinner optimistic as they head south for the weekend and likely a couple of quality opponents.
“The nice thing about it is we’re very capable of having success against anybody that we’re going to play, and that’s what the challenge is for us going down to this tournament,” said Skinner.
