A highly touted class holds the key to BC's future

Is this the end or a new beginning?

The most successful class in school history in terms of wins and consecutive NCAA tournament appearances graduated from Boston College this summer.

That "class" - really two players: Jared Dudley and Sean Marshall - was the heart and soul of the Eagles.

Some believe their graduation signaled the end of a magnificent run of success for the men's basketball program.

Just don't tell that to the incoming freshman class.

There is a consensus among the five new players that this season may hinge on how well they adjust to the college game.

It is head coach Al Skinner's most highly touted recruiting class in 11 years, which poses two questions this season: How will he handle them? And who will rise to the top?

With Skinner's reputation for developing diamonds out of the rough, the excitement lies in the uncertainty of how good the class will play.

Junior guard Tyrese Rice, however, has an idea.

"The difference in this class is, I think, that they came out like they had some things to prove," Rice said. "They came out a lot more aggressive than a lot of classes I've seen in the past. I just think they're going to be more game-ready to play, like a little bit faster, than in other years."

For Corey Raji, Josh Southern, Biko Paris, Rakim Sanders, and Cortney Dunn, being "game-ready" may be of utmost importance, for all will play a role in determining the outcome of the season, starting on Saturday afternoon.

Corey Raji

You may recognize the last name. Yes, he is the brother of football defensive tackle B.J. Raji. But Corey, the younger Raji, was blessed with the size of a small forward at 6-foot-5 and the jumping ability of a basketball player, as opposed to his shorter, but frighteningly stronger older brother.

"It's great to have him up here," Corey said. "He can guide me around, keep me rooted and grounded, and just tell me the obstacles I have to go through playing college sports."

He may also hear how to avoid some of B.J.'s mistakes.

This season, B.J. was ruled academically ineligible before the first game of the season. It's been hard for Corey to watch his older brother sit out during what has turned out to be a historic football season.

"It's real frustrating. He says it happened for a reason so I'm hoping that's what it is, and he can come back next year an have a good season," Corey said.

But it's thanks to B.J. that Corey is here in the first place. The younger Raji has been familiar with BC since his freshman year in high school.

"My freshman year, I [first] came for a football game," Corey said. "But I've just been coming up constantly after that. I enjoyed my visits when I came up here my freshman year. I met all the basketball guys. They were real cool guys, down to earth, no big egos, and that's what really drew me closer."

BC was drawn to Corey, who finished his career at Westwood High in Washington Township, N.J., as the school's career scoring leader, averaging close to 29 points and 17 rebounds per game his senior year.

"In high school, I could score when I wanted, but now I'm at college I'm just trying to fit in where I can, do what I have to do, do what my team needs me to win games," Corey said.

And winning is what Corey believes the team can do right away.

"Coming up over the summer, getting to know these guys was just great," he said. "I think we'll have a good season this year. The chemistry we have from the summer now is real good, we all got closer. It's going to be a good season."

Tyrese's Take

"Raji's coming along real well. He's real athletic. He brings a different dimension to our team on the offensive and defensive end. He's got to be a little more aggressive. If he's a little more aggressive, then he's definitely going to help us."

Josh Southern

Taking a first look on paper at a list of incoming freshmen, it is hard not to get excited about a player who is 6-foot-10-inches tall and averaged just as many rebounds (16) per game as he did points during his senior year of high school.

Josh Southern, a power forward from Saginaw, Mich., is that player.

"I try to do whatever I can to help my team out," Southern said. "If rebounding is that, then I'm going to stick to it. I love rebounding. It makes me feel good."

Southern was sought after by schools much more local than BC and in the Big 10, among others. But he ultimately chose BC for a variety of reasons, including the fact that his cousin is BC director of basketball operations Preston Murphy.

"It was basically after I saw how successful they were in the Big East before with Craig Smith, and then going to the Sweet 16 and having a great year," he said. "I just thought I could go [here] I actually checked into class sizes and stuff like that, and asked people around here, 'How's the school?' The whole coaching staff is unbelievable. They're down to earth. They're here to make you better."

Southern is the type of player Skinner has recruited in the past at BC, an imposing front-court player with the strength to out-muscle competition in the paint. But for now, the freshman is just looking to contribute any way he can.

"Anything I can do to help the team I'll be willing to do it. Rebounding, low block scoring, I can bring that too, but I mean for now, I'll do whatever I can," he said.

Like his classmates, Southern believes that this season can be another good one for BC.

"We're looking to turn some heads this year," he said.

Tyrese's Take

"Josh has been coming along real well. He's been scoring a lot in the post. He's definitely going to help us a lot, like when our big men get in foul trouble. When we need a bucket in the post, you can pretty much go to him and get one."

Biko Paris