Big East Conference report

SportsLine.com Report
April 10, 2000

At the start of this season, the Eagles were a near unanimous pick to finish last in the Big East. Al Skinner's crew delivered on those prognostications but the way the season played out did bode well for the future.

BC finished 11-19 overall, 3-13 in conference play. That effort was a significant jump over the 6-21 whitewash of the season before. While everyone at BC certainly was hoping for more wins, nearly doubling the victory total was a nice move forward. However, everyone knows that moving from 11 wins to 16 or more is the toughest part of the rebuilding process. Al Skinner has some pieces in place but clearly needs more talent and has to make the players currently on the roster even better to move the program back towards the post-season.

"We had a lot of tough losses this season that set us back a bit," Skinner said. "But overall, we had a very young team with only one senior and the young players we have showed outstanding potential. I think we're moving in the right direction."

The Eagles enjoyed a solid non-conference portion of their season, highlighted by wins over Michigan and Massachusetts. Next year, they hope to avenge road losses to solid teams in Penn State and Vanderbilt. Both games will be played at Conte Forum.

Once Big East play began, the Eagles hit the skids. BC won its opener against Providence but didn't win again for the next 11 conference games. The losing streak was marked by several near misses. Gone were the blowouts of the 1998-99 season but the close call losses were just as painful. The toughest was a one-pointer at powerhouse St. John's where freshman Troy Bell's runner banked off the glass but spun in and out at the buzzer.

Bell proved to be the season's shining light. An unheralded recruit out of Minneapolis, Bell went on to average 20 points a game and score more points than any freshman in Boston College history. Another frosh, Uka Agbai, was another surprise. The burly New Yorker was a rebounding force right out of the gate even though he was often matched against centers.

The development of some younger veterans proved to be mixed. Sophomore Kenny Walls is a keeper with his athleticism, but Brian Ross fell off a bit. Junior Jonathan Beerbohm relied more on his outside shot and didn't rebound and defend like the Eagles needed. Junior shooter Xavier Singletary was a major disappointment but his 13 ppg showed he can score. With a better percentage, he could blossom as a senior.

A glance at 2001

With all but one player (Michael Cotton) expected back, the Eagles will be better. The question is how much better.

Bell and Singletary get help with the addition of Ludmil Hadjisotirov but he's no savior as a freshman. The guard corps will certainly be better but the frontcourt has major worries. Uka Agbai is a keeper but after him, who else is?

The coaching staff is working hard on additions up front with Texan Andrew Bryant verbally committing but possibly backing off. They'll know more in mid-April. A foreign big man or two has also been targeted.

They will certainly help but it is the progression of players like Kenny Walls, Jonathan Beerbohm and Kenny Harley that will determine of the Eagles improve a little or a lot next season.

The coach

Al Skinner begins the fourth year of a seven-year contract and expectations could be high for the first time in his tenure. No one at BC can reasonably expect an NCAA berth but the lack of post-season play for a fourth straight season would definitely begin raising question marks about Skinner's ability to get the job done at Chestnut Hill.

Skinner is now 32-56 at BC and 170-182 in 12 seasons as a head coach. With his best players being juniors and sophomores, the Eagles should be able to make major strides in 2000-2001.

Who'll be back

The key players all return and should mature enough to start winning the close games that always seemed to get away last season. Troy Bell is obviously the ringleader of the program. He proved he's the type of talent that can carry a program. Of course, he needs help.

Xavier Singletary should be better in his second season. Kenny Walls made major strides as a sophomore and his athletic game makes him a factor as well. Up front, Uka Agbai is the key. If he gets stronger, the Eagles will have a force. Seniors Kenny Harley and Jonathan Beerbohm are vital ingredients.

Who's gone

The only senior loss is Michael Cotton, the undersized forward who proved to be a valuable pickup as a transfer from Oklahoma. Cotton used his bulky 6-4 frame to push around bigger foes and give Uka Agbai some help under the boards. Skinner could use another player just like him, plus two or three inches.

Freshman Erik Witt was redshirted this season but has a back problem that could prevent him from playing basketball any longer.

Key newcomers

• G Ludmil Hadjisotirov (6-2, 180, Fr.): This Bulgarian guard is regarded as a superb deep shooter, something the Eagles lacked outside of Troy Bell. Known as `Udo' he can also handle the ball under pressure. Played at powerful Winchendon School (MA) the last two seasons.
• PF Andrew Bryant (6-7, 235, Fr.): Skinner won a recruiting battle with Texas Tech and could reap the rewards quickly. A bulky yet quick player, Bryant can play either forward position and can put the ball on the floor.