BC and PC basketball this year.. on the rise programs?

[Pat Kelly]

I'm from the Boston area, so I'm a little biased towards these schools (Dad went to BC, Mom to PC), but how do you think these squads are shaping up for the future? I know PC had a top 20 recruiting class in 2012 and it looks like they could be getting the same for 2014. Bubble tournament squad last year who came on late and returns 4/5 starters, I love what Cooley is doing down there. Met the guy once, he has the ability to relate to anybody. Came from a tough background and is an overall unbelievable guy--hard not to get excited when that guy speaks.

BC on the other hand is kind of on the same track. Not as good recruitment-wise, but Donahue is building that up and very young squad built around two good young players--Olivier Hanlan, reigning ACC rookie of the year who averaged 15.4 and put up 41 against Wake in the ACC tourney last year, and Ryan Anderson (14.9, 8.0). Boston College, obviously, has had more recent success than Providence, back about seven years ago when Al Skinner was still the coach and they had Dudley, Smith, Marshall, Rice, etc.

I know this doesn't directly relate to Syracuse hoops, but you guys are basketball people, and I want to see what you guys think about a former conference member and a new (and at the same time, old) conference member.

 

[edowd26]

Adios of here friarj

 

[cliftonparksufan]

It will be interesting to see how well Donahue does at BC. I think that it might just be a stepping stone for him as I don't think that program can ever get to the next level. However he can make them competitive just not elite.

I really like Cooley also. He's a great recruiter. The jury is still out on whether he is a great coach. However, imagine if Ricky Ledo had been eligible last year. Cooley could end up as the next Yukon coach if Kevin Ollie isn't as great as their fan base thinks he is.

 

[Alsacs]

While I am Orange 100% I do have a soft spot for BC since I went to law school there and I think they will be better the next couple of years. BC is going to be in the middle of the ACC this year and will probably be a bubble team if they get lucky. I think Hanlan and Anderson are two good players and they will basically be our annual New England home game and Boston > Providence IMO.

Honestly, I have no respect for PC because of the fact they were able to keep the Big East headquarters in Providence and the Commissioner of the Big East was always tied to Providence from Dave Gavitt, Mike Tranghese, and John Marianatto. I respect Gavitt for all he did for the Big East and SU in forming the conference but the last two guys always looked out for Providence in every way they could instead of doing what was best for business. Helping the football schools earlier would have helped the conference. Waiting so long to add TCU killed the conference and it was because schools like PC wanted to be able to host SU, UConn more frequently in basketball than helping football. I think Providence will be okay because teams won't get up to play them and they will beat some teams in upsets, but they will always have numerous What losses like they do against Brown, Maine, DePaul etc. I am glad we will have annual New England game with Boston College. I am sure PC will be decent but they are no different to me as a team than Seton Hall or DePaul good luck we will never play you again unless in its in the NCAAs and I highly doubt they would be an opponent for us.

 

[Orange87]

No idea about BC.

The general consensus is that PC is on the rise. I suppose Cooley is a good recruiter but the jury is still out on his ability as a coach.

His head scars creep me out though.

 

[Pat Kelly]

No idea about BC.

The general consensus is that PC is on the rise. I suppose Cooley is a good recruiter but the jury is still out on his ability as a coach.

His head scars creep me out though.

Also biased towards Cooley because my Uncle went to college with him (Stonehill). I think the condition was something he was born with.

 

[Orange87]

I've got nothing but sympathy for his physical affliction. Just wish he'd wear a hat when he's on TV.

 

[cliftonparksufan]

Also biased towards Cooley because my Uncle went to college with him (Stonehill). I think the condition was something he was born with.

http://www.kgbanswers.com/why-is-th...l-coach-missing-hair-out-of-his-head/21948087

 

[Knicks411]

I liked the little of what I saw from BC last year. They have some solid young players.

 

[OttoMets]

Wouldn't be shocked if BC can take advantage of any UConn downturn (remains to be seen if that downturn actually occurs, of course).

As for Providence, I'm really high on Ed Cooley. Seems like a terrific guy; really changed the vibe after Keno left him with all those felons who didn't play defense. No reason they can't be a top-four Big East team in coming years.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I'm from the Boston area, so I'm a little biased towards these schools (Dad went to BC, Mom to PC), but how do you think these squads are shaping up for the future? I know PC had a top 20 recruiting class in 2012 and it looks like they could be getting the same for 2014. Bubble tournament squad last year who came on late and returns 4/5 starters, I love what Cooley is doing down there. Met the guy once, he has the ability to relate to anybody. Came from a tough background and is an overall unbelievable guy--hard not to get excited when that guy speaks.

BC on the other hand is kind of on the same track. Not as good recruitment-wise, but Donahue is building that up and very young squad built around two good young players--Olivier Hanlan, reigning ACC rookie of the year who averaged 15.4 and put up 41 against Wake in the ACC tourney last year, and Ryan Anderson (14.9, 8.0). Boston College, obviously, has had more recent success than Providence, back about seven years ago when Al Skinner was still the coach and they had Dudley, Smith, Marshall, Rice, etc.

I know this doesn't directly relate to Syracuse hoops, but you guys are basketball people, and I want to see what you guys think about a former conference member and a new (and at the same time, old) conference member.

I really liked the job that Donahue did at Cornell. That was a heck of a team he built. He hasn't been able to recruit that well once he stepped up to the big time, though.

PC made a mistake getting rid of Skinner, who was a very good coach. Cooley, IMO, has to show that he can recruit guys who actually make it to campus, if they are going to turn into a better program. Being in the new watered-down Big East will be good for them, but they will never achieve what they did way back when in the 60s and 70s.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I like Cooley. I think they'll be more successful now that they're in a less rigorous conference. I see them potentially becoming on par with teams from the A-10 when they have good runs.

I realize that can come across as kind of insulting. I don't mean for it to. I think PC from a competitive standpoint is in a much better position now to be successful.

 

[senorpalmer]

All I know about bc is they've got two guaranteed beatdowns coming this season.

 

[Full_Rebar]

Not sold on Donahue as a recruiter at all. BC has zero momentum right now and losing to Harvard again this year could be the nail in his coffin (Bates became the AD there last Fall). In my opinion, they need to get above .500 in the ACC and into NCAA consideration if he's going to stay. Also, SU is going to take over Conte this winter- a good number of BC season ticket holders will gladly sell their tickets for that game.

Cooley has shown the ability to recruit and he could really take advantage of the new conference. If PC can be competitive, he should be able to continue landing good recruits out of the Northeast.