Can't wait for the college basketball season to get underway? For the next three weeks, wake up each Saturday with the unique insight and commentary of Mike Gminski, the G-Man, as he takes a look around one of the nation's toughest and most watched leagues, the ACC! Today, the G-Man takes a look at hoops happenings at Boston College, Clemson, Duke, and Florida State. Next week, four more teams go up for inspection by the G-Man, with the final four reviewed on November 12. Get settled in for the kind of thorough analysis and tough talk every fan of the hardwood craves!
October, 28 2005: A Look at Boston College, Clemson, Duke and Florida State
Boston College
The newest members of the conference could announce their presence in the ACC with authority. Coach Al Skinner returns the core of the team that least year won its first 20 games and tied for the Big East regular season title. Skinner has shown a knack for taking recruits who fly under the radar and turning them into outstanding college players. Player of the Year candidate Craig Smith was one of those unpolished gems. A beast inside, Smith is the focal point of everything BC does. I cannot wait for his first matchup with Shelden Williams and Duke on February 1st. His bookend at forward, Jared Dudley, was another under-recruited high schooler who became a star. It is tough to describe his game. Let's just call him a basketball player who just finds a way to beat you. Sean Marshall is the best three-point shooter on a team that does not rely heavily on the trey. He does need to become more of a consistent long range threat to take pressure off of the interior. Finally, senior Louis Hinnant returns to run the point. Hinnant is not flamboyant, but runs the team well and takes care of the basketball. A big key is going to be the status of center Sean Williams. Off the court troubles led to his suspension for the first semester this year. His reinstatement would give BC one of the best front courts in the league.
BC must get production from freshman backcourt players Marquez Haynes and Tyrese Rice. Haynes is more of a point guard who will likely spell Hinnant. Rice is more of a scorer, especially from behind the arc. The front court reserves' role may depend on Sean Williams' status. John Oates, Tyrelle Blair, and Evan Neisler all lack polished offensive games, but all can bang and rebound with Blair being the shot blocker of the group.
Al Skinner is a unique man, maybe most exemplifying the term "player's coach." His success cannot be denied, having won 115 games over his last five years at BC. They run the flex offense very well, shunning the three point shot as a major weapon. Their strength will be the fact that they return four starters who have known success. Look for the Eagles to come into their first campaign in the ACC with plenty of swagger.
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Clemson
Oliver Purnell seems well on his way to building a very solid program at Clemson. Two strong recruiting classes have allowed Purnell to institute his style of a smothering defense played by long, rangy athletes that lead to open court opportunities. With the loss of center Sharrod Ford, Purnell will rely on his perimeter players for scoring punch. All-Freshman wing player Cliff Hammonds was a double figure scorer and a solid defender. Point guard Vernon Hamilton is an excellent on-the-ball defender who started taking better care of the basketball in the latter part of last year. His backcourt mate, Shawan Robinson, was Clemson's best three-point threat, making 40.4% from behind the arc. I mentioned their defense: Sam Perry and James Mays are the energy guys on the defensive side of the ball, with neither one having to command the ball to be effective.
New faces will play a key role. Troy Mathis sat our last year due to a suspension, but was able to practice with the team. He is a gifted offensive player with a toughness to him. His return could be a huge lift for a team that struggled to manufacture offense. Two freshmen will have an impact as well: K.C. Rivers is a great long-range shooter with a great feel for the game. 6'7" Julius Powell will provide scoring and rebounding up front.
This team must improve in two areas to increase last year's 16-win total. First, they must take better care of the basketball. Last year, they had over 100 more turnovers than assists. Those giveaways put too much pressure on their offense. Secondly, they must become a better free throw shooting team. Last year, the squad made only 60% of their attempts, last in the ACC. If they can improve in turnovers and free throw shooting, this young Tiger team could gain confidence and be a factor in the league.
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Duke
Coach K rarely talks about winning the National Championship in any given year unless he feels he has a team worthy of such expectations. He speaks of this year's squad in that context. In an age where talent goes to the next level early, Duke returns an outstanding senior class. It is anchored by not only two first team All-America candidates, but two Player of the Year candidates in J.J. Redick and Shelden Williams. Redick is one of the most potent offensive players in college basketball in the past 20 years. The thing that is impressive is that his numbers increase versus ranked opponents and during tournament time. The step he has made this year is to become a great leader. All of Coach K's championship teams have had outstanding leadership and Redick should continue that tradition. Williams is more understated, but his defensive presence speaks at full volume. The reigning defensive Player of the Year, Williams covers up a lot of mistakes and allows Duke's perimeter to take chances. Look for Williams to expand his offensive game with an improved 15-foot jump shot. Senior Sean Dockery has grown into his role at point guard. Always a great on-the-ball defender, Dockery became a much more effective shooter last year and should get open looks with Duke's other scorers more of a priority. Wingman Lee Melchionni had a solid year last season and has emerged as an emotional catalyst for the Blue Devils. Rounding out the returning players, sophomore Demarcus Nelson looks to build on a year that saw him win All-Freshman team status. Nelson is a freak of an athlete. He is only 6'3", but he is the second strongest on the team behind Williams, and seems as comfortable on the paint or on the perimeter.
Now for the new kids. Bookending the senior class is a very talented freshman group. Josh McRoberts may be the best high school player who did not go to the NBA. He should provide all the things that departed forward Shavlik Randolph could not. He is long, athletic, and should be a perfect compliment to Shelden Williams inside. Point guard Greg Paulus was the best football player in high school last year. While the football program could use him, look for Paulus to be an understudy to Dockery as he learns the position. Eric Boateng at 6'10" will provide depth on the front line. Jamal Boykin is a very versatile wing player with a high basketball IQ. Rounding out the class is Lithuanian Martynas Pocius. Not widely recruited, Pocius is a great long range threat with extensive experience in the international game.
Coach K has said that his major concern on this team is blending the two very talented classes. If the seniors and the freshmen can find common ground early, there is every reason to believe that Duke will be in Indy challenging to bring Coach K his fourth National Championship.
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Florida State
This is a critical year for Leonard Hamilton. Last year was a step back for a team that went 12-19 and never really found an identity. There is reason for hope in Tallahassee, however. With the early departure of Von Wafer to the NBA, they lose their leading scorer but might gain some team chemistry. Word this summer is that this year's squad feels everyone is on the same page and ready to share the workload. The Seminoles do return senior Todd Gallloway at point, a very steadying influence for this young team. Their most effective returning scorer is forward Al Thornton. Thornton finished strongly last year and must carry that momentum into this season. The key for this squard might be the health of their front court. Last year, Diego Romero and Alexander Johnson both struggled with injury and conditioning issues. If they can stay on the floor and give a consistent effort, it would take pressure off of the Seminoles' young perimeter. That group - Jason Rich, Ralph Mims, and Isaiah Swann - all come into the year with a lot of promise. Mims will likely go back to his natural point guard position with Swann and Rich playing as scorers. JUCO transfer Jerel Allen was added after the departure of Wafer to provide offense as well.
Hamilton did have another strong recruiting class headlined by late signee Uche Echefu. A rugged interior player, Echefu may be one of Hamilton's biggest recruiting victories, beating out UNC for his commitment. Along with him is a pair of 6'8" forwards, Casaan Breedan and Ryan Reid. Like Echefu, both are rugged inside players whose role might expand if Johnson or Romero falter.
Leonard Hamilton's teams have always defended, but this group needs to build a consistent offensive attack. Last year, they lost nine games by a total of 19 points. A lack of scoring just puts too much pressure on the offense in a very tough league. Over the last few years, FSU has had some great wins against top-ranked teams. To take the next step, they must be a much more consistent team and a much better road team.
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Next week: Georgia Tech, Miami, Maryland, and North Carolina.
