Good Preview

[BC923]

It's ESPN insider, but it has some really good quotes from Donahue.

http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/insider/ ... id=5673198

[joemack13]

Post the text?

[BC923]

Post the text?

it's pretty long, i'll give it a go though

[BC923]

COACH AND PROGRAM
Steve Donahue was a hot coaching property even before he led Cornell to the NCAA Sweet 16 last spring. That improbable postseason run -- and the Ivy League record 29 wins his Big Red recorded in 2010 -- was merely the culmination of a brilliant 10-year building job in Ithaca.

It was inevitable bigger schools would come calling. But Donahue insisted he wouldn't have left Cornell for just anywhere.

"We all know ourselves best," he said. "I wanted something that really fit my strengths. There are few -- if any -- jobs in America that provided everything I believe in. Boston College is one that did. When I think about the history of the program, it's humbling that I get the opportunity to lead this basketball program."

Donahue plans to sell BC's strong academic tradition. And he believes the school's affiliation with the ACC will offer prospects a viable alternative to the sea of Big East schools that surround the school's Chestnut Hill campus.

"I think it's an incredible advantage," he said. "I think we can recruit nationally, bringing to young men who want a strong Jesuit education and want to compete against some of the best programs in the country."

PLAYERS
But no matter how optimistic Donahue is about the long-term prospects at Boston College, he faces a difficult reality this season. The once-strong program that Al Skinner put together in the early part of this century hit a plateau in recent seasons.

The Eagles averaged almost 24 wins between 2001 and 2007 and reached the NCAA Tournament in six of those seven years. But over the last three years, Skinner's teams have twice finished with sub-.500 seasons, including last year's disappointing 15-16 finish.

Worse, there's been very little infusion of talent over the last two seasons. Skinner didn't add a single prospect to the roster in 2009, and his three 2010 recruit -- Kevin Noreen, Brady Heslip and Papa Samba Ndao -- all backed out of their commitments after the coaching change.

Donahue was able to add two lightly regarded perimeter players late last spring, but for the most part, he'll have to try and compete with almost the same players who finished 6-10 in the ACC a year ago. Actually, he'll have to do it without Tyler Roche, who graduated, and without Rakim Sanders and Evan Ravenel, who elected to transfer after Skinner's dismissal.

Sanders (11.3 ppg) was one of the team's most talented players, although he endured a disappointing 2010 season that was marred by injury and an early suspension. Roche was the team's best three-point shooter, averaging 7.2 points a game off the bench. Ravenel averaged a mere 10 minutes a game, but he was one of the tallest players on a team that lacks size.

Still, the new coach inherits some talented players. They offer considerable experience too -- even if that experience is in Skinner's flex offense and not the more free-flowing full-court game Donahue favors.

"It's kind of hard in five months to figure out how a coach wants you to play," Donahue said. "The previous staff built this team for the flex. We're not going to do that. But the response has been incredible. When we came in last spring, the one thing I asked the kids was to get in great cardio condition. We asked a few guys to drop weight -- they've dropped a lot of weight."

Donahue will try to piece together a winner out of some unique talents. Take Corey Raji, a 6-6, 231-pound senior, who averaged 11.4 points and 5.8 rebounds last season, while shooting .543 from the floor.

"For us, he's going to be a four," Donahue said. "We want to take advantage of his quickness. He has a terrific knack for basketball. We need to keep him on the floor."

Raji did not hit a three-point shot last year (he attempted just two), but Donahue scouted the New Jersey native in high school and remembers him as a good long-range shooter.

Joe Trapani looks to be the team's best three-point threat headed into the season after hitting 51-of-145 threes (.352) last season. But that's just one weapon in the arsenal of the 6-8, 232-pound senior. A transfer from Vermont, Trapani earned third-team All-ACC honors as a junior, when he led the team in scoring (14.1 ppg) and rebounding (6.4 rpg).

Donahue expects to use Trapani at the center and power forward spots -- at times teaming him with Raji in what may turn out to be the smallest post combo in the ACC. But the new BC coach believes that Trapani can make it work.

"He's so darn long -- and he competes so hard," Donahue said. "He's a hard matchup for others."

If the Eagles do need more size, there's always 6-10, 263-pound senior Josh Southern (4.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg). The problem is that Southern is not quite the player he looks like.

"You see a big, strong guy and think he's a grinder," Donahue said. "I don't know if he does that well. We look at him and think he'll be better as a face-up player. He's got good hands, a good basketball IQ and he can hit the jumper out to 15-17 feet."

More than any other player, Southern has had to remake his body in the offseason.

"We really challenged Josh when we got here," Donahue said. "He had a lot of issues with his physical condition. He had to change his diet, his workout regime. He's made the biggest change of any player. He's quicker and his endurance is much better."

If Donahue does need "a grinder" to do the dirty work down low, he'll call on 6-8 junior Cortney Dunn (0.9 ppg, 1.9 rpg), who ought to expand his role after playing just 13 minutes a game last season.

"He's not going to be a big scorer for us," Donahue said. "But we think he can rebound and defend at a high level. That's going to be so darn important for us."

BC's scoring will come from Trapani and Raji, along with guard Reggie Jackson. The 6-3 junior averaged 12.9 points and 4.5 assists a year ago, taking over the starting point guard job at midseason.

"He's not a typical point guard," Donahue said. "He's a guy we see with the ball in his hands. We do a lot in transition, and what Reggie does very well is get the ball from foul line to foul line."

Jackson had some huge nights last season, including a 20-point, 12-rebound, seven-assist game in a victory over Providence and a 20-point performance in Durham against the Duke team that would win the national title. He racked up three double-doubles -- twice pairing double-figure points and rebounds and once points and assists.

"He needs to get better with his decision making, but I think he's going to thrive in our system," Donahue said. "We're fortunate to have him for two more years."

Jackson is likely to share the backcourt with 6-1 senior Biko Paris (4.8 ppg, 4.0 apg), the player he replaced at the point a year ago. "The one guy I've been most impressed with is Biko Paris," Donohue said. "He's lost 20 pounds. He moves great. He's dedicated to improving his shooting. I thought he lost confidence as the season wore on last year. But I think he's bounced back. He's going to play a lot of minutes for us."

He'll have to on a team with little perimeter depth. After the two projected starters, the Eagles have junior wild card Dallas Elmore and Donahue's two newcomers.

Elmore (3.9 ppg, 1.6 rpg) is a 6-5 jack-of-all trades from Colorado.

"He can play multiple positions for us," Donahue said. "He's good enough to be a two or three and tough enough to be a four. He's one of our best defenders. He's not an overly skilled ball handler or a great shooter, but he knows what he needs to do to be successful."

Donahue is convinced that 6-2 freshman guard Gabriel Morton (17.0 ppg at St. Petersburg [Fla.] HS) -- will be an effective ACC combo guard É but he's not sure that will happen right away.

"What I like about Gabe is that by the time he's a 21-year-old, with his athleticism and skill level, I'm confident that he'll be a good all-around player," Donahue said. "It might be testing at times, but he knows how to play."

Danny Rubin, a 6-6 product of the Landon School in Chevy Chase, Md., might offer more immediate help as a three-point specialist. Rubin hit 51 threes as a prep senior, averaging 18 points a game.

"A lot of mid-majors were recruiting him as a shooter," Donahue said. "He's thin, but he can really shoot the ball, plus he's a good decision maker."

That shooting skill could come in handy on a team that lacks proven three-point threats. Trapani was decent from long range, but Jackson and Paris were both under 30 percent from beyond the arc.

BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS

BACKCOURT: B-
BENCH/DEPTH: C
FRONTCOURT: B-
INTANGIBLES: C+
Three-point shooting is just one of the obstacles Donahue faces heading into his first year at Boston College. The Eagles will also lack size and depth. Can the new coach figure out how to compete with a small, thin, but very experienced core group?

That's hard to project. Donahue didn't turn the downtrodden Cornell program around overnight. His first two teams in Ithaca were 7-20 and 5-22. But his last five teams dominated the Ivy League, going 55-15 in the academically oriented conference over his last five years.

"When I went to Cornell, I had to adapt to the kids I could get there," he said. "It made me a better coach. We're looking for kids with a high skill level and a high basketball IQ more than pure athleticism. We want great kids who know how to shoot the ball and understand how to play the game."

Donahue will get his players in place. His early recruiting is going well -- vital for a program that has added little talent in the last two years.

[Shredder]

Great article. Lots of insight into Donahue's plans as well as some of the program's shortcomings under Skinner. I'm skeptical of Trapani at center and Raji at power forward because they give up a lot on defense and the small lineup last year didn't work against ACC teams. What I do like is that Donahue has a plan to win with the players he has now. Most interesting I thought is the physical development of Biko and Southern. On one hand it speaks to them being committed to the new coach and dedicated to winning in their senior year. On the other, they were out of shape and not motivated under Skinner. Who knows how much that attitude affected the entire team the past few seasons.

[MattTheEagle]

It looks like the staff and players are doing whatever they can to be successful. I am very excited to see how the Eagles play under Donahue. I expect to watch quite a few BC games if they are televised.

EDIT:
It looks like there is some faith outside of the BC community in the Eagles performing well immediately. Chris Thompson of Bleacher Report ranks us 4th in the ACC. If we perform this well in Donahue's first year with the Eagles I will be extremely happy.

[BCEagle74]

Great article. Lots of insight into Donahue's plans as well as some of the program's shortcomings under Skinner. I'm skeptical of Trapani at center and Raji at power forward because they give up a lot on defense and the small lineup last year didn't work against ACC teams. What I do like is that Donahue has a plan to win with the players he has now. Most interesting I thought is the physical development of Biko and Southern. On one hand it speaks to them being committed to the new coach and dedicated to winning in their senior year. On the other, they were out of shape and not motivated under Skinner. Who knows how much that attitude affected the entire team the past few seasons.

If anything, this post should be tacked so one of the few decisions GDF made like easing out TOblunders0-13 and Lazy Elvis, posters here can understand that teams are a reflection of their Coaches and this is true in football a little more than basketball since physical violence is intensity and that is tough to keep at a high level and TOB was a lemon faced twat.

GDF waited 6 seasons too long with the assclown and at least 3 with lazy Elvis....yet with Jags....10 minutes?????

Toblunders0-13 and his demented mentee, our cushioned cataonic calzone ---- reflected big game incompetence and mediocrity, keeping it close, turtle up, and punting form the opponents 32. Lazy Elvis never recruited far from the hoop courts--- being Boston College's leading all time Rec Plex scorer --- and Stevie D is now GDF's only +1.

GDF had to be e-mail bludgeoned and posted here to re-approach the ACC and so far he has been Swofxckford's bitch in bowl game selections and instant replay screw jobs.

[pick6pedro]

"I think it's an incredible advantage," he said. "I think we can recruit nationally, bringing to young men who want a strong Jesuit education and want to compete against some of the best programs in the country."

"But the response has been incredible. When we came in last spring, the one thing I asked the kids was to get in great cardio condition. We asked a few guys to drop weight -- they've dropped a lot of weight."

Other than the insight into positions and expected usage, these two quotes have to make a fan excited at what The Don is cookin'.

[eepstein0]

If Donahue things Raji and Trapani can start at the 4 and 5 in the ACC all the more power to him but we're going to get killed on the boards.

[ryrob]

If Donahue things Raji and Trapani can start at the 4 and 5 in the ACC all the more power to him but we're going to get killed on the boards.

I think you're right on Trapani, but Raji is one of the best rebounders in the ACC. Mainly on the offensive boards but he has the athleticism to get them against anybody.

[b0mberMan]

If Donahue things Raji and Trapani can start at the 4 and 5 in the ACC all the more power to him but we're going to get killed on the boards.

I think you're right on Trapani, but Raji is one of the best rebounders in the ACC. Mainly on the offensive boards but he has the athleticism to get them against anybody.

When we went small, we lost the rebounding battle pretty hard last year. Raji is helped by being matched up against a 3 for rebounds, and Trap the same at 4.Southern, for all he couldn't do, at least took the other team's center away from those two on the boards.

Interested to see what happens this year. Not expecting much, but not expecting the basement, either.

[ryrob]

If Donahue things Raji and Trapani can start at the 4 and 5 in the ACC all the more power to him but we're going to get killed on the boards.

I think you're right on Trapani, but Raji is one of the best rebounders in the ACC. Mainly on the offensive boards but he has the athleticism to get them against anybody.

When we went small, we lost the rebounding battle pretty hard last year. Raji is helped by being matched up against a 3 for rebounds, and Trap the same at 4.Southern, for all he couldn't do, at least took the other team's center away from those two on the boards.

Interested to see what happens this year. Not expecting much, but not expecting the basement, either.

The article says that Donahue is most impressed with Southern's improvement and that he's quicker (what?) Also mentioned that Paris lost 20 pounds so hopefully he can penetrate and kick now.

[claver2010]

Biko lost 20 pounds? That's crazy but he being up at 215 might be crazier.

[EagleDave]

Blue Ribbon is fantastic. They do great work. Bravo for posting this.

[twballgame9]

I saw Southern before the ND game. He looks to have lost weight.

[Eagledom]

If Donahue things Raji and Trapani can start at the 4 and 5 in the ACC all the more power to him but we're going to get killed on the boards.

I think you're right on Trapani, but Raji is one of the best rebounders in the ACC. Mainly on the offensive boards but he has the athleticism to get them against anybody.

When we went small, we lost the rebounding battle pretty hard last year. Raji is helped by being matched up against a 3 for rebounds, and Trap the same at 4.Southern, for all he couldn't do, at least took the other team's center away from those two on the boards.

Interested to see what happens this year. Not expecting much, but not expecting the basement, either.

its not like southern could rebound anyway.

[Eagledom]

wait, actually RECRUITING and getting players in shape? WTF is he doing?

[twballgame9]

I read that entire article and couldn't figure out who is starting at the three. Raji at the 4, Trapani at the 5, Southern at the 5, Dunn at the 5, Paris at the 1, Jackson at the 2, Elmore and the two newcomers backing up at the 1/2, if they play at all. Am I missing somebody?


Raji may be a four for them, but he is going to play three. There is no one else, unless Trapani or Elmore plays there.

[bignick33]

getting players in shape? WTF is he doing?

I'm glad that the players have responded to Donahue, but it's a pretty big indictment on them that they needed him to kick their ass into shape. It's something they should have done long ago on their own.

[Eagledom]

getting players in shape? WTF is he doing?

I'm glad that the players have responded to Donahue, but it's a pretty big indictment on them that they needed him to kick their ass into shape. It's something they should have done long ago on their own.

its also an indictment on their former coach - it doesn't hurt to actually have a coach that demands it.

[twballgame9]

OJ, is there a shelf life on your need to comment on Al? At some point, will you allow yourself to enjoy the Donahue era because Donahue is a good coach, or will you always prefer to beat off because he is "better than Al"? What if the results aren't there, will you continue to jerk off because he tries harder? Will the Don every earn your approval for his own merit rather than "because he is better than the last guy," which is faint praise from you?

THIS IS IMPORTANT!

[b0mberMan]

If Donahue things Raji and Trapani can start at the 4 and 5 in the ACC all the more power to him but we're going to get killed on the boards.

I think you're right on Trapani, but Raji is one of the best rebounders in the ACC. Mainly on the offensive boards but he has the athleticism to get them against anybody.

When we went small, we lost the rebounding battle pretty hard last year. Raji is helped by being matched up against a 3 for rebounds, and Trap the same at 4.Southern, for all he couldn't do, at least took the other team's center away from those two on the boards.

Interested to see what happens this year. Not expecting much, but not expecting the basement, either.

its not like southern could rebound anyway.

So you completely missed my point, got it.

[Eagledom]

If Donahue things Raji and Trapani can start at the 4 and 5 in the ACC all the more power to him but we're going to get killed on the boards.

I think you're right on Trapani, but Raji is one of the best rebounders in the ACC. Mainly on the offensive boards but he has the athleticism to get them against anybody.

When we went small, we lost the rebounding battle pretty hard last year. Raji is helped by being matched up against a 3 for rebounds, and Trap the same at 4.Southern, for all he couldn't do, at least took the other team's center away from those two on the boards.

Interested to see what happens this year. Not expecting much, but not expecting the basement, either.

its not like southern could rebound anyway.

So you completely missed my point, got it.

i was responding to epstein's point

[RedBaron67]

If Donahue things Raji and Trapani can start at the 4 and 5 in the ACC all the more power to him but we're going to get killed on the boards.

I think you're right on Trapani, but Raji is one of the best rebounders in the ACC. Mainly on the offensive boards but he has the athleticism to get them against anybody.

When we went small, we lost the rebounding battle pretty hard last year. Raji is helped by being matched up against a 3 for rebounds, and Trap the same at 4.Southern, for all he couldn't do, at least took the other team's center away from those two on the boards.

Interested to see what happens this year. Not expecting much, but not expecting the basement, either.

its not like southern could rebound anyway.

So you completely missed my point, got it.

i was responding to epstein's point

I think you're forgetting that when Southern was in high school, rebounding was considered the strongest part of his game. If he's really overhauled his quickness and conditioning, he might become a respectable rebounder this season. (I realize, of course, that some will react to this suggestion by asking me whether I also expect Donahue to change water into wine.)

[BCEagles25]

The fact that Trapani and Raji are going to see some time at the 5 and 4 tells me that Southern still really isn't ACC ready. Or BC is getting smaller and faster. It's 2:30 in the morning, so a lot of things are telling me a lot of stuff.

[RedBaron67]

The fact that Trapani and Raji are going to see some time at the 5 and 4 tells me that Southern still really isn't ACC ready. Or BC is getting smaller and faster. It's 2:30 in the morning, so a lot of things are telling me a lot of stuff.

My own guess is that Trapani and Raji will start at 5 and 4 against smaller/faster opponents, while against others they'll start at 4 and 3 with Southern and then swing to 5 and 4 (with Dunn seeing spot duty). The nice part is that we can speculate like this and then see what really happens, hopefully when we're more awake than I am now.

[Eagledom]

If Donahue things Raji and Trapani can start at the 4 and 5 in the ACC all the more power to him but we're going to get killed on the boards.

I think you're right on Trapani, but Raji is one of the best rebounders in the ACC. Mainly on the offensive boards but he has the athleticism to get them against anybody.

When we went small, we lost the rebounding battle pretty hard last year. Raji is helped by being matched up against a 3 for rebounds, and Trap the same at 4.Southern, for all he couldn't do, at least took the other team's center away from those two on the boards.

Interested to see what happens this year. Not expecting much, but not expecting the basement, either.

its not like southern could rebound anyway.

So you completely missed my point, got it.

i was responding to epstein's point

I think you're forgetting that when Southern was in high school, rebounding was considered the strongest part of his game. If he's really overhauled his quickness and conditioning, he might become a respectable rebounder this season. (I realize, of course, that some will react to this suggestion by asking me whether I also expect Donahue to change water into wine.)

He was also a "4 star" coming out of high school. I am judging by what I have seen on the court at BC...and he has been a terrible rebounder.

[Dirtywater]

I agree - this was a good write up. I am fully expecting that we will get demolished regularly next year and that we will not have a winning record until year 3 of Donahue's reign. Over the long haul I think this new coach and his assistants will be very solid. But he will have as much to learn about big time basketball in a place like the ACC as the players have to learn about him. This will be a gigantic adjustment from the Ivy League. If he understands the Jerry York three rules of coaching - recruiting, recruiting, recruiting - he'll do fine.

[eepstein0]

I agree - this was a good write up. I am fully expecting that we will get demolished regularly next year and that we will not have a winning record until year 3 of Donahue's reign. Over the long haul I think this new coach and his assistants will be very solid. But he will have as much to learn about big time basketball in a place like the ACC as the players have to learn about him. This will be a gigantic adjustment from the Ivy League. If he understands the Jerry York three rules of coaching - recruiting, recruiting, recruiting - he'll do fine.

I've always been convinced that this team could be decent if properly coached and conditioned (those two are related). I guess we'll put that to the test this season. I think we squeak into the NCAA Tournament on the Bubble provided we don't have injury issues this season. Injuries will be a killer to this already thin squad.

[Puerto Rico Eagle]

So...as I was walking to buy my season tix at lower, which was actually a decent event, I had two players behind me talking about last year and I creepishly eavsdropped (dont judge, Im trying to get some CONTENT)...It seemed pretty obvious to me that although they liked Skinner, they hated the flex and thought that it completely misused/underused, some quotes:
"I completely lost my mobility from High School due to the flex, I rarely had to move which led to me to gain weight, I finally have that mobility back"
"Poor Dunn, coaches told him the only thing he should do was set screens and box out, he got up to 260 pounds!"
"Man that offense was crazy, coaches didn't let me shoot from the outside, even if i was open"
"Since coach didnt bring any new players last year half the practice was running the same exact drill for half the practice, every practice, didnt really learn much"

Didn't really talk abut The Don much, but the way they were talking...it seems like they feel like they are being utilized better and will be happy in the new system...