Teams can still win without history. Before Billy Donovan won back-to-back titles at Florida, he had to turn a mediocre program into something by wining and dining AAU coaches. Likewise, John Calipari took UMass, of all schools, to a Final Four.
The reality in college basketball is that you are always one recruit away from contending for a national title. That should offer both hope and discomfort for BC fans. On the positive side, the Eagles could always land the next Kevin Durant or Carmelo Anthony, and hope they stick around to lead the team to a Final Four.
The downside, however, is that BC has not landed a major college basketball recruit in years. The aforementioned players of the 2006 team may have been talented, but their success has to be largely attributed to Skinner's teaching. None came in as Parade or McDonald's All-Americans; they took time to acclimate to the college game.
The same can be said for the current group of Eagles. While Rice and Oates remain the only holdovers that played two years ago, the team's nucleus rests with the freshman class. If he ever learns how to shoot a free throw, Rakim Sanders will be a star. Corey Raji and Biko Paris offer the athleticism that even Skinner's best teams have lacked. And the most heralded of the bunch, Josh Southern, will eventually walk onto the court when Skinner deems it fit.
The consensus says that these players will take another step and be a top-25 team next season if Rice returns. Although the ACC will be improved from the two-team race it is this year, BC should be near the top next season. But, as we've seen before with Skinner's prior generation, BC can be very good. The question remains: Can they be great?
Writing this column in the wake of two tough losses to Virginia and Virginia Tech, and on the eve of a road trip to Chapel Hill, N.C., and Clemson, the answer appears muddy. Next year's recruiting class isn't going to bring the next LeBron or Amare to Chestnut Hill, Mass. Once again, BC has landed more "Skinner guys," players who flew under the proverbial national radar. Early reports indicate that off-guard Reggie Jackson will play extensively next season because of his outstanding defense and quickness.
The time has come for BC to take the next step. No longer can it afford to miss the boat on top recruits like Erik Murphy, a local high school junior and son of former player Jay Murphy, who committed to Florida earlier this month over the Eagles. The clock is already ticking on another talented group's eligibility. Hopefully, with a little help, that class can take the basketball program to an unprecedented height.
Spring Break
john a. pfeiffer
posted 1/31/08 @ 6:33 PM EST
It's probably as good as it's going to get unless we're willing to violate NCAA rules, compromise our academic standards and graduation rate, and pay a coach over $2 million/year. (Continued…)