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Sunday, June 24
Updated: July 26, 3:44 PM ET
Team preview: Boston College Eagles
ESPN.com
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The lowdown
2000-01 record: 27-5; 13-3 in Big East (1st)
Final Ranking: No. 11 ESPN/USA Today; No. 7 AP
Postseason: Lost to USC 74-71 in second round of NCAA Tournament
Three Questions for 2001-02
1. How do the Eagles handle the role as the favorite? They're no longer the sleeper team. Everyone in the Big East will be gunning for them and Troy Bell. He'll have to deal with being a marked man throughout the season.
2. How does Jermaine Watson accept his role with Bell and Ryan Sidney? Watson was a big-time scorer at Tabor Academy (Mass.) and he needs to understand that he's a third option. If he can accept that and add pop off the bench then the Eagles will be fine.
3. Does Uka Agbai have help inside? Agbai had the luxury of Jonthan Beerbohm last season. But he needs Andrew Bryant to be a factor for the Eagles to be successful in the post. Kenny Walls will have to be more effective, so too, will Brian Ross. The Eagles might need more out of newcomers Craig Smith and Nate Doornekamp than originally thought.
Three Key Facts
1. Head coach Al Skinner was selected to serve as an assistant coach for Team USA in the 2001 World University Games in in Beijing, China next month. Troy Bell is among the 16 finalists for the USA World Championship For Young Men Team, which will travel to Japan next month for the 2001 FIBA World Championship for Young Men Tournament.
2. Bell has led the Eagles in scoring as both a freshman and sophomore.
3. Boston College's crossover games against West Division foes in the Big East won't make defending their East Division title any easier. The Eagles play Syracuse, Georgetown, Seton Hall and Pittsburgh, but will not play Notre Dame, Rutgers or West Virginia.
Andy Katz's Scenarios
Best case: The Eagles are as good as last season, finish atop the Big East and get a top-two seed in the NCAA Tournament and go beyond the second round.
Worst case: The Eagles drop from last season, finish in the top four and get a lower seed in the NCAA Tournament.
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Key Players Returning
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Player
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Yr.
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Pos.
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Ht./Wt.
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Comment
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Troy Bell
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Jr.
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F
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6-8/240
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PTS: 20.4 | REB: 4.3 | AST: 4.1
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Uka Agbai
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Jr.
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F
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6-8/240
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PTS: 9.1 | REB: 3.9 | AST: 0.7
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Ryan Sidney
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So.
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G
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6-2/185
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PTS: 9.4 | REB: 4.7 | AST: 1.6
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Kenny Walls
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Sr.
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F
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6-5/194
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PTS: 7.3 | REB: 3.3 | AST: 1.7
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Key Losses
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Player
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Pos.
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Ht./Wt.
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Comment
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Xavier Singletary
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G
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6-6/216
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PTS: 11.7 | REB: 5.2 | AST: 1.8
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Jonathan Beerbohm
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F
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6-7/229
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PTS: 6.4 | REB: 3.7 | AST: 1.1
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Boston College Signings
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Player
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Pos.
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Ht.
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High School/College
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Jermaine Watson
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G
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6-3
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Dorceste/Tabor Academy (Ma.)
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Kirsten Zoellmer
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C
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7-1
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Hanover, Germany-Integrated School of Hanover
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Nate Doornekamp
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C
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6-11
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Odessa, Ontario-Ernstown
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