Skinner and the NBA

With nearly two more years to perfect his play at the point, Ty Rice is looking more and more like an NBA player in my view. If he gets drafted (and I think he will, in the 2nd round next year), that means Al Skinner will have had a future NBA draftee in four straight recruiting classes - Craig Smith, Jared Dudley, Sean Williams (should be a senior this year) and Rice. Going back two classes further, and Troy Bell makes it 5 out of 7. Throw in the fact that a BC player has been Conference Player of the Year in 3 of the last 6 years (Bell in '01 and '03, Dudley in '07), and that's not a bad track record, one I'll bet compares pretty favorably with some of the big programs. I hear a lot of guys bash Al's recruiting, but I think the success these guys have enjoyed at BC and in the pros speaks to Al's ability to develop players. Regardless, it has to be a big selling point on the recruiting trail going forward.

Speaking of the NBA guys, Smith, Dudley and Williams all started for their NBA teams this month, with Smith (36 points against Washinton, 30 points against Milwaukee) and Williams (8 blocks against Sacramento) in particular registering some eye-popping stats.