BC Strikes A Balance

Al Skinner has faced a lot of criticism over his 13-year tenure as the head coach of the Boston College men's basketball team. But by far the biggest gripe that Skinner's naysayers have had with the coach has been his relentless use of the flex offense. Relying heavily on multiple screens and as many as three players posting up near the key is not an approach that many college teams take these days, and for good reason. When it doesn't work, the results are often ugly.

BC used the flex to take down Virginia, 68-55, on Wednesday night. With recently instated point guard Reggie Jackson still learning the position's complexities, the team is relying a little more on its offensive scheme to score points.

"Overall, as a team, we're executing better, and he [Jackson] has really benefited from that," said Skinner of Jackson.

While the flex, which often features centers posting up at the elbows and undersized forwards and guards fighting for position down low, may look strange to many onlookers, it has proven extremely effective for Skinner's club. It was used to topple powerhouses North Carolina and Duke last season, and has factored strongly in the Eagles' late-season resurgence. Using a series of ball screens and entry passes, the flex has made life easier for Jackson by taking some of the pressure to be a play-creator off of the sophomore's shoulders. It has allowed him to more comfortably settle into his role as point guard.

That's not the only reason BC has won three out of its last four. While Jackson has been adjusting to his new role as the team's on-the-court leader, the rest of the squad has been learning how to play with him. The team's new floor general has not been hesitant to push the ball up the court, resulting in a high number of fast break points.

Junior forward Corey Raji scored on quick run-outs several times against the Cavaliers, leading to a game-high 18 points. A more concerted effort to run the floor has created opportunities not just for Raji but also for his teammates.

"By me running, you can get Joe [Trapani] for a 3-pointer, Rakim [Sanders] cutting to the basket, Reggie driving to the basket," said Raji. "When I get out and run, it really helps open up opportunities for other players."

Given enough time, any opposing defense will figure out how to stop a certain offense. But when a team varies the ways it attacks the basket, though, it becomes much more difficult to lock down on any one scheme. The fast break has not traditionally been a large part of the Eagles' offensive repertoire, but the team has shown a willingness to run with Jackson, making them a much more versatile unit.

When mixed together, the grind-it-out flex and the get-down-the-floor fast break keep opposing defenses on their heels. Jackson's improved judgement of when to run and when to slow the action down will go a long way toward determining whether this Eagles team is enjoying a fleeting success or has actually been rejuvenated.