ACC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2022-23 season

The Eagles had a fairly quiet offseason, bringing back most of its key core from last season and adding a pair of newcomers as well. All three double-digit scorers are back in Makai Ashton-Langford, Demarr Langford, and Jaeden Zackary, a solid overall backcourt.

Ashton-Langford led Boston College with 12.0 ppg and 3.4 apg. The senior guard had the ball in his hands the most and made the most of it, including four games of 20+ points. The offense was for the most part balanced but he was the go-to option when they needed a bucket. Zackary had a very good freshman season and was one of the best three-point shooters in the country, making 48% from deep.

If the 6’3 guard can have a sophomore breakout campaign, then the Eagles can certainly succeed expectations. Zackary had four games of 18+ points in his final 11 games from last season and if he can continue that and become the team’s leading scorer, their offense will take a leap.

The main concern with Boston College is the frontcourt. They had a committee approach last season and lost half of it, with TJ Bickerstaff and Quinten Post as the returning bigs. Bickerstaff led the team with 7.2 rpg and the 7’1 Post averaged just under double figures offensively but are they good enough to play large minutes and lead the frontcourt in the ACC? D-II transfer CJ Penha is an offensive threat but it’s unknown how he’ll transition to this level.

Just like last season, the Eagles will be competitive in league play and pull off an upset or two. But unless Zackary becomes an all-conference caliber player, the team will lack enough offense to be on the winning side of the scoreboard this upcoming season. And that vulnerable frontcourt can very much get handled against the many talented bigs in this conference.