Boston College at a glance

Last season: 14-17 (4-12 in ACC, tied for 11th place)

Coach: Al Skinner, 12th year (348-263)

Starting five: Tyrese Rice (21.0 ppg), Rakim Sanders (11.3), Joe Trapani (11.4 at Vermont), Josh Southern (5.7), Reggie Jackson (freshman)

Key reserves: Biko Paris (5.7), Corey Raji (8.3), Tyler Roche (3.8).

Outlook: The Eagles finished last in the ACC last season and missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2003, but an improved, seasoned supporting cast mixed with skilled newcomers could send them back. Is Trapani a steady 3-point threat or not ready to make the transition from America East? Freshmen Jackson and Dallas Elmore will contribute immediately. Sanders may be the key; he has the ability to become an elite ACC player.

Looking at the ACC
1. North Carolina: The nation's unanimous No. 1 team returns the top six players, headlined by Tyler Hansbrough, from a team that went to the Final Four.
2. Miami: Point guard Jack McClinton, a potential All-American, leads a deep, shoot-first backcourt.
3. Duke: Small forward Gerald Henderson is ready to become a star, and senior point guard Greg Paulus will be a steady rudder.
4. Wake Forest: James Johnson is one of the conference's best players, and four other returning starters surround him.
5. Virginia Tech: With versatile big man Jeff Allen inside and sharpshooting guard A.D. Vassallo outside, the Hokies shouldn't have to sweat the bubble this year.
6. Clemson: There might not be a better 3-point tandem than Terrence Oglesby and K.C. Rivers.
7. Boston College: Can the newcomers and supporting cast give Rice enough help?
8. North Carolina State: Uber-talented forward J.J. Hickson left after one season, but coach Sidney Lowe's free-flowing offense may flourish again without him.
9. Georgia Tech: The young talent - particularly sophomores Maurice Miller and Gani Lawal - makes the Yellow Jackets a dark horse.
10. Florida State: Versatile senior forward Uche Echefu will lead a roster stocked with nine underclassmen.
11. Maryland: Point guard Greivis Vasquez is good enough to keep the Terrapins in games. He's erratic enough to keep opponents in them, too.
12. Virginia: Sylven Landesberg, a 6-foot-6-inch freshman point guard, will be worth watching, but Sean Singletary will be too difficult to replace.