Basketball Scouting Report: Boston College and Wake Forest

    

By James Blackburn

Wake Forest wins 85-56
Box Score

Game Recap/Thoughts

1st Half

• Wake comes out strong- 2 early scores and several stops in a row
• Boston College has 0 offensive rebounding, even against a poor rebounding Wake Forest team.
• Neither team has much interior defense.
• Wake has taken the 7 pt. lead with some sloppy play by the Eagles.
• Wake takes a 38-29 lead into half.
• The Deacons are out running- several dunks in transition- capped off by a huge alley-oop slam by McKie.

2nd Half

• Wake has stayed in control of this game throughout, still scoring consistently and getting stops.
• CJ Harris is playing the PG role a good bit this half and is doing a good job scoring and creating.
• BC is really struggling on the defensive end- giving up multiple open shots. They are getting burnt on the P/R repeatedly.
• TO’s are killing BC right now…..add that to their inability to score the basketball and they find themselves down 17 with 9 to go.
• Boston College just subbed out all 5 players- down 68-44 with 7 minutes to go.
• This game is over- Wake Fans are all ready heading to the isles- Wake is up 27 pts. With 4 to go.
• Best performance from Wake all season.

Scouting Reports

Wake Forest

CJ Harris (G, 6’3”, JR)

Consistent shooter from 3 and midrange- showed ability to come off staggered screens and catch and shoot- gets feet set, but has a slow release. Excellent change of speed dribble used to get to basket- where he can finish with contact. Shifty. Showing some extra bounce/more juice in step tonight- had a steal at midcourt and finished with a lefty slam over defender. Number 1 option for Wake Forest- makes them go- scores and creates. Speed is a weakness when talking about going to the next level. His understanding of the game is impressive. Plays the passing lanes well. Can create own shot- patient- can play on the ball or off the ball. Has a shot at the next level but doesn’t really have a lot that translates to pro game besides his 3 pt. shooting and IQ- still not a true PG and will not be able to play the 2G at pro level. Still has another year to improve speed and become more of a playmaker- has shown decent passing ability, but still has a scorer’s mindset. Deceptively athletic, strong, and versatile guard. One of the best all-around games I have seen from Harris this season, showed his athleticism, ability to keep dribble, some playmaking skills, shooting ability, and ability to get to rim and finish. Finished with 23 points and 4 assists today.

Travis McKie (F, 6’7”, SO)

Can hit the set 3 and has the ability to put ball on the floor and go by people- strong slasher, but has the tendency to get out of control at times. Active defensively and on the boards. Good shooter when he keeps shot up, tends to flatten out and misses short when he gets tired. Athletic. Would be somewhat of a tweener at NBA level- will have to play the SF position- will struggle guarding a 3 in the NBA- more of an undersized 4 now. Good FT shooter- good arc/rotation. Really has it going today- confidence is showing. Good finisher at rim – great body control. Needs to improve left hand. Guarded and was defended by a similar player in Ryan Anderson, BC’s best player and freshman. Did a solid job on both sides of the ball- better shooter and more comfortable handling ball on perimeter than Anderson. Finished with 21 pts and 6 rebounds in a big win today.

Boston College

Ryan Anderson (F, 6’8”, FR)

Tough/aggressive- can bang inside and finished through McKie several times tonight on the block . Got caught out of position several times on defense- freshman mistakes- matched up with Travis McKie- got caught ball watching and needs to do a better job staying down in defensive position. Good slasher- can get to the rim and finish- good body control. Looked shaky tonight from FT line this game (going 2-9 today)- but has good form and is shooting 75% for year from line. Great touch around basket- can hit the set midrange jumper. Can use his left hand just as effectively as right hand. Has a variety of scoring moves around basket, including a running hook shot. Above average (not great) back to the basket game- but still looked a little timid on the block going up against McKie- loves to go over left shoulder and power way to rim-still needs to develop a go to move on block. Needs to be more aggressive looking for his shot offensively. High basketball IQ- plays above his years as a freshman. Good rebounder on both ends- rebounds the ball with both hands. Good body language, especially for a freshman. Very efficient around basket. Dos a nice job of drawing fouls. Telegraphs passes on perimeter and is TO prone in that area. Shot his first 3 with 7 minutes to play in 2nd half- has a low and jerky release- shooting 27% from beyond the arc this season- will much rather put the ball on the floor and drive or post up at this stage in his young career.

Leads team in ppg and rpg, with 10.8 and 7 respectively. Will need to extend range out to 3 pt. line for next level. Has a great touch and skills above his years- NBA prospect in a couple of years- only a freshman. Will be a tough SF to guard if he can develop a 3 and improve perimeter defense- allowed McKie to go by him multiple times today- strong already as freshman- weighing in at 217, but will need to add some more muscle to get up to about 235/240 for NBA weight- solid frame. One of the few bright spots for a disappointing season for BC this year- scored 18 points on 8-11 FGs and pulled in 11 boards today.

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