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Chat Reel: Troy Bell

Although Boston College is not picked by many to finish high in the Big East, sophomore guard Troy Bell is healthy and says his squad will sneak up on some teams this season.

Bell spent some time with CNNSI.com users on Wednesday, Oct. 25. Keep reading for a transcription.

CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's chat with Boston College sophomore guard Troy Bell. Welcome, Troy. Thanks for spending some time with us.
Troy Bell: How you doing? I'm happy to be here. I'm glad I have the opportunity to speak to everyone.

From Bob in Burlington, Vt.: How is the injury healing?
Troy Bell: Well, the injury is fine. I had lateral miniscus tear in my left knee. I worked on rehabilitation all summer, and now I'm fine.

From Bob: Troy, it seemed like your team was one or two recruits away from having a pretty solid team last season. What do you feel are the team's realistic prospects for the coming season?
Troy Bell: As a team, our goal is to get to postseason play, whether that be the NCAA or the NIT. As of now, I don't know how realistic the NCAA is, but we definitely plan to make it to the NIT, at least.

From sup: I think that the point guard is the most important player on the court. As a point guard, do you expect any added pressure?
Troy Bell: Well, no. I played point guard last year, but this year I'm a little older and they expect a little more out of me every day. I've been working hard to make sure that I can carry on my responsibility to the team.

From Mac: Are you disappointed that there was no Midnight Madness at BC this year?
Troy Bell: A little bit at first, but I'm fine with it now.

From Mike: Could you give any info as to how Brian Ross' back is doing?
Troy Bell: Brian is doing pretty well. Lately, his back has been sore, but he has been getting treated every day. As far as I know, his back is gonna be all right.

From Loyola34: Do you plan on staying all four years, or are you planning on leaving for the NBA early?
Troy Bell: I plan on staying.

From Paul Mehan in Notre Dame, Ind.: Are you intimidated by the force that Notre Dame has become in the Big East? How will you handle Troy Murphy's monstrous dunks and the enormity of his shot blocks? Does it make you want to cry?
Troy Bell: (Laughs.) I'm not intimidated by anybody. I agree that Notre Dame has become a really good team, but I don't look at them any different than any other team.

From John Martyn in Arlington, Va.: When you were considering college choices, did the mistreatment of former coach Jimmy O'Brien by BC's administration shake your confidence in BC's commitment to their basketball program?
Troy Bell: Well, coming in, I didn't know much about that, so it didn't play much a factor in my decision.

From sup: Are you related to Charlie Bell from Michigan St.
Troy Bell: Not that I know of. That's the first time anyone asked me that.

From Mac: What parts of your game do you think you have improved in the off-season?
Troy Bell: Decision making. Last year, at times, I was confused as to what I wanted to do, or where I wanted to go with the ball. Now, I have a pretty good idea every time.

From sup: Troy, in your opinion, who will win the Big East this season?
Troy Bell: I don't have a clue.

From Mike in Needham: Last year, you were a pretty big recruit for BC. Uka Agbai was not recruited by any of the big-name teams. You both came in and really opened some jaws. The freshmen Coach Al Skinner has recruited for this year are also not big names in the recruiting world, but practicing with them, what do you think their impact can be this year, and for the future?
Troy Bell: I think that the three freshmen we got this year are really good. I'm surprised the other big name schools didn't recruit them, but there are so many good players out there, all the schools can't recruit them. I think that is what happened with me.

From a guest: Where do you see yourself in five years?
Troy Bell: I'm not sure yet. Hopefully, I'll be playing basketball somewhere. I'm not planning on getting a real job yet. (laughs.) I have my whole life for that, but hopefully just playing ball somewhere.

From Ricky: Who is the toughest player to guard in the Big East, and who plays the best defense on you?
Troy Bell: The toughest defender I've played against is John Lenahan from Providence. He sat out last year, but I played him last summer. He's really tough. The toughest guy I've had to guard is probably Kevin Braswell.

From Marcus: Do you feel the BC basketball program will ever catch up to the football program in popularity and recognition?
Troy Bell: I'd say yes ... When we start winning, everyone will start jumping on the bandwagon.

From JMark: What pro have you most modeled your game after?
Troy Bell: I never really try to model my game after a pro player. Growing up, I looked up to Khalid El-Amin. He won three state championships in high school and he carried his team every year, like he did in college.

From JMark: Do you play video games in your free time? I am a senior in college and I play Dreamcast a lot.
Troy Bell: I would if I had some free time, but I don't have any right now.

From eazyed: Do you regret not staying at home and playing at Minnesota ever?
Troy Bell: Not at all. I miss home sometimes, but I think I made the right decision by coming to Boston College.

From Eagle: Are you going to run the point this year or be at the two-guard?
Troy Bell: I'm gonna be playing the point at the beginning for sure, but we don't know what's gonna happen after that.

From JMark: Who else heavily recruited you coming out of high school?
Troy Bell: The school I was going to go to was Tennessee. That's where I thought I was going. Let me name some of the others ... Minnesota, Tulsa, Rutgers. I have a box at home of letters, there were a lot more.

From Mac: Who do you think will step up as a leader for BC this season?
Troy Bell: Definitely Uka Agbai and all the seniors.

From mark: Do you think college athletes should be paid?
Troy Bell: A little money here and there wouldn't hurt.

From scott: Do have plans for Halloween? What would your costume be?
Troy Bell: Not yet. I'm working on that.

From JMark: In life, what motivates you the most -- on and off the court?
Troy Bell: I would say my family. They have put so much time, money and effort in me over the years, I feel I have to perform well in whatever I do. Also, friends I have left behind. Like whenever you go home, you see the people you grew up with that did the same things you did, but didn't have the opportunities you had.

From Trish: What's the hardest thing about being a college student-athlete? What's the best thing?
Troy Bell: The hardest thing is juggling school work, athletics and trying to have a social life at the same time, but definitely the social life is the best thing.

From eazyed: What do you feel was your best game so far as a college player?
Troy Bell: Probably at St. John's last year.

From eazyed: Does everybody think that Minnesota is just one big pasture of cows at BC?
Troy Bell: Yes, they do. It doesn't bother me though. I like talking about Minnesota and the Midwest. Everyone out here is from the East Coast.

From Lee: How was the transition from being a prep school baller at Holy Angels to a big-time college player?
Troy Bell: It wasn't too tough. I played a lot of AAU ball, and AAU ball is really similar to college basketball.

From Boston: Troy who is you favorite player on the team to have a friendship with on and off the court? Good luck this year!
Troy Bell: Uka Agbai is my best friend, and thank you! Uka was my roommate last year.

CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have today with Boston College sophomore guard Troy Bell. Thanks again for stopping by, Troy. Good luck this season.
Troy Bell: All right. Thanks for having me.

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