Sports of Boston » Corey Raji

Raji, Trapani Second Half Surge Leads BC Over UMass

MikeBBonner — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 13:21:15 +0000

After totaling two points in the first half, Corey Raji and Joe Trapani combined for 34 points in the second half. The second half surge allowed Boston College to cruise to a 79-67 win over UMass. The two-headed second half monster was far from a terror in the first half. Trapani missed seven of his first eight shots, heading into the locker room with two points. Raji was even worse: the junior forward missed all five of his shots in the first 20 minutes of play.

Eagles Lead at Halftime Despite Troubles

Even with the two struggling, BC still took a 26-25 lead into halftime. Out of the locker room, the duo of Raji and Trapani wasted to time making up for their poor play. They scored 27 of the Eagles first 31 points. The scoring barrage increased what was a one point lead at halftime to a game high 12 point lead with 7:18 remaining. Trapani and Raji each finished with a team high 18 points.

RakimSanders was not far behind with 15. In his third consecutive game back after injuring his ankle, Sanders finished with a career high eight assists, five coming in the first eight minutes of the second half to either Raji or Trapani.

Gurley Shines for UMass Despite Loss

For the Minutemen, guard Anthony Gurley had game highs 23 points and 10 rebounds. Gurley nailed a three-pointer with 14:35 remaining in the game to tie the game at 40. The Eagles responded via jumpers from Raji and Trapani. Trapani answered Gurley’s three with a long range jumper of his own. Raji then hit back-to-back buckets, followed up by a layup by, who else, Trapani. It capped off a 9-2 run. From that point on UMass could not cut the lead to fewer than six.

Boston College gets a week off and will play South Carolina Wednesday, December 30.

Hero(es)

Joe Trapani/Corey Raji - The two combined to score 34 points in the second half. The duo began the half scoring 27 of the Eagles first 31.

Zero

Terrell Vinson – Scored two points and grabbed two boards in 23 minutes. He did manage to account for four fouls though.

Fat Lady Sings

1:18 – Reggie Jackson hit a jumper to put BC up nine.

Big Number

6 – The number of turnovers committed by the Eagles the ENTIRE game.

Stat To Know

10 of 11 - With the win, the Eagles have now won 10 of their last 11 against UMass. BC leads the overall series 25-18.

Eagles Swat Away Wolverines, ACC Drops Challenge

MikeBBonner — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:35:11 +0000

The clock in the Crisler Arena read 5:08 when Reggie Jackson’s layup fell through the net giving Boston College 57 points and a 17 point lead. Just four minutes later the Eagles still had 57 points and saw Manny Harris, the Big Ten’s leading scorer, with the ball with a chance to slice BC’s lead to three.

Harris instead elected to drive the lane blowing by his defender leaving what looked an open lane to the basket. But as it did all night, the Eagles defense bailed out its erratic offense. Joe Trapani met Harris mid-double clutche as the guard attempted to avoid the defender. Trapani still swatted the shot. The Eagles quickly corraled the loose ball and nailed two free throws ending an 11-0 run. The tenacious defensive effort propelled the Eagles to a 62-58 against the Wolverines in a game that was not nearly as close as the score implies.

Defense Key as Eagles Build Lead

Boston College suffocated Michigan’s offense, holding them to a 28 percent shooting in the first half. The home team mustered nine made field goals in the first 20 minutes of play. During an 11:43 span in the first half, the Eagles held the Wolverines to only two field goals. Unfortunately the offense could not take advantage of the stout defensive play. During Michigan’s drought BC, bouyed its lead from five to 11. Corey Raji attempted to complement the defense, dropping 17 of his game high 24 in the first half and it worked to an extent.

Eagles Offense Goes Flat in Second Half

Raji’s first half output was just seven shy of Michigan’s 24 points, 13 lower than its previous first half low allowing Eagles take 10 point lead into the locker room, one that could have been much larger though. The harrasment of the Michigan offense continued in the second half, as did the erractic offensive play. The Eagles all but ended the game jumping out to a 7-0 run in the first 2:08 of the second half, but then failed to score again for another two minutes, while Michigan suddenly had no problem scoring as it went on a 7-0 run of its own.

The BC defense responded though. Over the next 9:30, the Boston College defense put the game away holding the Wolverines to just two field goals. It was the one time in the game that both the offense and defense clicked leading to a 17 point Eagle cushion. BC held Michigan to 36 precent shooting in the second half and 32 percent for the game, 12 points below its season average.

A lack of offense allowed Harris and Co. to chisel away at the Boston College lead. Harris’ four free throws sandwhiched Zack Gibson’s back to back three-pointers, cutting BC’s lead to nine. On Michigan’s next possesion, Harris waved his teammates signaling a clearout allowing him to bank a step back three off the glass over Biko Paris with 1:56 remaining. A minute later Trapani’s block finally put an end to the Harris show and BC sealed the game with free throws. While Harris lead a surging comeback the Eagles made only two shots from the field in the final 12:45.

Big Ten-ACC Challenge

This contest was part of the 11 game Big Ten-ACC Challenge, an annual competition matching teams from each conference in a battle for league supremacy. Coming into 2009, the ACC has won all 10 battles. BC has done its part, improving to 4-0 in the Challenge and this was their second win at Michigan in the series. Duke was the only other undefeated team in the history of the conference rivalry until they lost tonight dropping them to a still impressive 10-1. The ACC lost six of the 11 tilts as the Big Ten secured the hardware for the first time in the Challenge history. The Eagles will be in action again Sunday as they begin conference play against Miami. The game is also the first of eight straight home games.

Hero

Corey Raji - With nine minutes remaining in the first half Raji had 13 points and Michigan had 12. Raji scored 17 in the first and finished with 24, two shy of a career high. Not to mention he was an efficient 11-of-16 from the field and grabbed nine boards too.

Zero

DeShawn Sims - Michigan’s second leading scorer (16.4) finished the game four points, the same number of fouls he committed.

Fat Lady Sings

:55 - Joe Trapani swatted Manny Harris ending any hopes of a Michigan comback, ending an 11-0 run as Reggie Jackson then went to the line and made both free throws.

Big Number

2 - The number of shots the Eagles made in the last 12:45, but still managed to hold on for the win.

Stat To Know

58 is a Lucky Number - The Eagles held an opponent to 58 points for the third time this year. The Eagles won all three games.

Boston College Basketball Preview: The Forwards and Centers

Carl — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:32:04 +0000

The Eagles get on the court a couple times this week and let us help you get acquainted with the team. For a look at the backcourt, check out the guard preview.

Small Forward

Fact

Corey Raji will start again at Small Forward. The rugged, undersized big man was second on the team in rebounds last year and came just a hair away (9.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg) from averaging ten points per game. Joe Trapani will also get time here and even Sophomore Dallas Elmore might see some time after hardly playing last year. Rakim Sanders will fill the three when coach Al Skinner wants to go undersize.

Opinion

Coach Skinner loves Raji’s play, calling him “the ultimate utility player.” His basketball IQ is fantastic on a team where two starters (Sanders and Josh Southern) fall short. He leads the team in offensive rebounding while also sharing Team Defensive MVP honors with Rakim Sanders. I’m surprised that Biko Paris won the captaincy over him, but the recent suspension indicates why.

Sanders will play three at times, but Skinner will want Trapani on the floor in big games so don’t expect Paris-Reggie Jackson-Sanders combinations at crunch time unless Raji moves out of the lineup. Elmore could carve himself out a nice niche here as well if he improves his mid range game.

Power Forward

Fact

Junior Joe Trapani lived up to the hype and then some last year after transferring from Vermont. He returns as the leading scorer, rebounder, and best three point shooter. Senior Captain Tyler Roche will also see some playing time as the only senior on the roster and a starter two years ago. Sophomore Evan Ravenel doesn’t look to gain that much playing time over last year.

Opinion

Trapani looked fantastic last year bringing great shooting, surprising athleticism, and terrific size (6’7″) at the four position. Although it will be hard to see him averaging more than 16 ppg due to his lack of a slashing game, he and Sanders look to carry the brunt of the scoring load. His backup and best friend on the team, Tyler Roche, is an adequate player who ideally fits in as a seventh man. He can have his scoring outbursts but really can’t create his own shot and is a liability on defense. Actually, creating shots looks like the biggest problem at the power forward with Trapani usually needing slash and kicks or offensive put-backs to get consistently in double digits. Neither Trapani nor Roche have much a back to the basket game.

Center

Fact

Junior Josh Southern starts again at the five this year after averaging six points and five rebounds a game. Courtney Dunn backs him up and provides defense and toughness.

Opinion

Always the Achilles’ Heel of the basketball program, Skinner must rely on the foul-prone Southern and the offensively inept Dunn. Southern brings loads of potential to the table and brings an ability to match size and scoring that BC hasn’t seen in years. Unfortunately, he can get rattled and actually applied for a patent on his signature point guard hip check on the pick and roll. I wouldn’t be surprised by a 14-9 year by him but I also wouldn’t be surprised by another 6-5 year. Dunn improved a lot from his freshman year and brings a nice amount of toughness to the table. Although he will never be a prolific scorer, his ability to pound the glass and take no unnecessary shots doesn’t hurt the offense by any stretch.