Best Forward in College Basketball?

Boston College's basketball season has thus far been an exercise in frustration. Hidden in their 3-2 record, however, has been the play of 6' 7" senior forward Jared Dudley. Bob Ryan, who is unmatched as a basketball writer and may be able to make a case for being the best sportswriter in America, argues that Dudley is "the best pure forward in the country." Now Ryan is both a BC alum and a Boston writer, but he rarely is a homer. And he seems to have the support of Michigan State's Tom Izzo, who got to look at Dudley up close last night as BC beat Michigan State 65-58 with Dudley scoring 30 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, dishing 3 assists, and even mustering a steal. "Dudley might end up my favorite player of the year," said Izzo after the game. Ryan also shows how the respected Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook has Dudley as the only pure forward on its preseason All-America team.

From what I've seen, BC is still adjusting to the loss of Craig Smith. But these two early-season losses (one to Vermont, who then went on to lose to Michigan State) will likely be a blip on the screen. BC should have the firepower to compete in the ACC. Sadly, North Carolina looks like they might be able to lap the field this year, but BC belongs in any conversation about the league's second best team (sorry, Thunderstick). I don't really trust Coach Al Skinner in a big game, but I believe in his ability (along with that of his staff, which includes my college classmate Pat Duquette as his assistant coach) to get BC into good position in March. Jared Dudley's play will be crucial in determining how deep into March they go.