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Boston College Eagles
RECORD: 25 - 6
REGION: Mideast SEED: 3
COACH: Cathy Inglese CONFERENCE: ACC |
RESULTS
| MESSAGE BOARD
Road to the Final Four ...................................................................................
| ESPN'S TAKE |
The Eagles, led by Amber Jacobs' clutch shooting, made the Sweet 16 last season. And with the momentum of beating Connecticut on the way to
the Big East Tournament title, BC seems to be peaking at the right time
this season. Guards Jessalyn Deveny (16.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg) and Jacobs (14.9
ppg, 2.9 rpg) lead the way.
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| PLAYER TO WATCH |
Jessalyn Deveny
The 00 on Deveny's back might as well be a bull's-eye since the junior guard will be the focus of opposing defenses throughout the NCAA Tournament. But does it really matter? Deveny saw a variety of defenses this year and little -- if anything -- slowed her down. She averages 16 points and, more impressively, 6.3 rebounds a game, both of which led BC this year. And don't even think of fouling her, as Deveny shoots nearly 87 percent from the line.
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ANALYSIS BY ESPN'S STACEY DALES-SCHUMAN
 After finishing last year's Big East regular season with a 12-4 record and traveling to the program's first Sweet 16, it seemed as though Cathy Inglese's squad might have a rough road ahead after losing three key senior starters.
But in typical Inglese fashion, Boston College has remained tough. The Eagles won their first Big East tournament title by knocking off Connecticut and Rutgers. How'd they do it? Easy. Sturdy fundamentals, intelligent players and consistent coaching.
The Big East Most Improved Player a year ago, junior Jessalyn Deveny has continued her exemplary behavior, as she leads the team with 16 points and six boards. Amber Jacobs has also picked up where she left off in the 2003 NCAA Tournament. If Boston College was a fairy tale story in '03, Jacobs was its Cinderella standout. She came with the big shots when they counted most, thrusting her team into the national limelight. Jacobs is a crafty, accurate shooter who also knows how to divvy out the leather, averaging almost five assists per game.
Boston College ultimately understands the importance of taking good shots, having accumulated a noteworthy average of 49 percent accuracy from the field. Attempting good shots and further finishing those shots is a mere reflection of how well the Eagles spread the basketball and execute their offensive sequences -- after all, they do rank in the nation's top 10 with 18 assists per contest.
This is a solid team that takes care of the ball, plays within its capabilities and follows instructions. If a game is close, expect that Boston College will nail its free throws as the Eagles shoot close to 80 percent from the stripe. And as mentioned, expect BC's players to make disciplined decisions.
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