Our last in a series of posts previewing this year's Boston College hoops team. What are your expectations for the season? How many games will the Eagles win this year?
Brian Favat
I think this team can win 4-5 games in the ACC. There are several teams that will be going through a transition year, including Georgia Tech, N.C. State and Miami (breaking in new coaches), Virginia Tech (replacing a lot of production) and Wake Forest (who is Wake Forest). Luckily for BC, the Eagles get 10 games against this group of teams this season, setting up an extremely favorable conference schedule for Steve Donahue in his second first season on the Heights. Overall, I think BC will go 13-17 (4-12 ACC), losing a few non-conference games early but surprising a few ACC programs late. BC will win enough games this year that we can consider the season a success in building towards 2012-13.
Jeff Martyn
15-15 (4-12) ... The non-conference schedule is weak enough that BC could win quite a few games. At Providence and at Holy Cross are both very winnable games. Then BC would only have to win all but 2 games at home OOC and go 2-1 in their tournament. Going 15-15 is much better than I thought I would expect out of this team, but I think it is very doable. There are some other not great teams in the ACC and BC is well coached. It is also a good sign that of our few returners, it does not look like much will be asked out of them and at least four starters will be new to the team, so I think 4 wins in conference is a reasonable expectation as well.
Conrad Kaczmarek
I expect growing pains. That's the obvious answer because of how young this team is. I was able to watch the exhibition against AIC last week and it was quite sloppy. They looked like a bunch of freshmen out there, which makes sense because they are. That's what happens when you have a nearly entirely new roster of young guys that have never played with one another before. It will take time for chemistry to develop and true leaders on the court to emerge. Ultimately, I see the Eagles finishing the year with around 11 or 12 wins thanks to the ridiculously easy non-ACC schedule. Despite the fact that there will be very obvious struggles, the team is in the right direction. Donahue now has his own recruits in place and will be able to build towards the future. There is potential on this team and it will be fun to see them all develop together.
A.J Black
Expectations are very low for BC, and I think they will exceed them, but only barely. I get sick of all the talk from experts who say that BC will be worse than Wake Forest was last year. Remember, Wake Forest was a team of freshmen last year with a new coach, BC may fall into many of the traps the Deacs did but I expect them to play better. I like how BC's OOC schedule plays out. BC seemed to have set up their schedule knowing how a young team needs to mature and their schedule reflects that.
Salzano14
This season really marks the very beginning of the Donahue era. Unfortunately, it's going to take some time to grow into the team he's trying to build. The expectations are, I think, nonexistent with this team. I don't think we go winless in the ACC, but I don't think we win too many either. I say we win 3 or 4 games in conference. Let's go with 4, because I'm an optimistic guy. Also, we lose to BU. Of that I am certain. Literally no one will care except the scum from down the street. It will be WVU-Kenmore with all the couch burning that will take place. Why are we playing them again?
As a bonus, ACC Champ predictions below.
Salzano14
Gotta go with the Heels. Representing the ACC in style and taking it all home this year.
A.J Black
North Carolina. Harrison Barnes is going to go HAM basically all year. Deep all over the place, and with Roy Williams they are going to bring back a title to Chapel Hill.
Conrad Kaczmarek
It's got to be UNC, right? Their roster is stacked with future NBA players and they probably have the best player in the country in Harrison Barnes. They will be dominant and will beat BC by at least 35 points. Duke is always a factor, but on sheer talent, I have to go with the Tar Heels. They should be a #1 seed when March Madness rolls around as well.
Jeff Martyn
Duke.
Brian Favat
It's either North Carolina or Duke, right? It's ALWAYS North Carolina or Duke. I'll go with North Carolina, who seems a little deeper than Duke this season. But really, this is probably a coin flip.