Boston College Eagles
2018-2019 Overall Rank: #60
Conference Rank: #12 ACC
Boston College won 19 games in 2017-18, their highest win total since 2010-11. The Eagles still haven’t made the NCAA Tournament since 2009, which is the main goal for the program this year. The departure of leading scorer and first team All-ACC member Jerome Robinson will hurt, but Boston College still returns four starters from a year ago. If the Eagles can replace Robinson’s productivity, they could find themselves in the middle of the ACC race and on the bubble for an NCAA Tournament appearance.
2017-18 Record: 19-16, 7-11
2017-18 Postseason: NIT
Coach: Jim Christian
Coach Record: 48-83 at Boston College, 290-237 overall
Key Departed Players:
Jerome Robinson, Guard, 20.7 ppg
Deontae Hawkins, Forward, 12.4 ppg
Jerome Robinson, Guard, 20.7 ppg
Deontae Hawkins, Forward, 12.4 ppg
Key Returning Players:
Ky Bowman, Junior, Guard, 17.6 ppg
Jordan Chatman, Senior, Guard, 12.9 ppg
Nik Popovic, Junior, Center, 9.9 ppg
Steffon Mitchell, Sophomore, Forward, 6.4 ppg
Johncarlos Reyes, Junior, Forward, 2.8 ppg
Vin Baker, Jr., Sophomore, Forward, 1.9 ppg
Lucas Kraljevic, Sophomore, Forward, 1.5 ppg
Avery Wilson, Sophomore, Guard, 1.5 ppg
Ervins Meznieks, Senior, Forward, 1.1 ppg
Jordan Chatman, Senior, Guard, 12.9 ppg
Nik Popovic, Junior, Center, 9.9 ppg
Steffon Mitchell, Sophomore, Forward, 6.4 ppg
Johncarlos Reyes, Junior, Forward, 2.8 ppg
Vin Baker, Jr., Sophomore, Forward, 1.9 ppg
Lucas Kraljevic, Sophomore, Forward, 1.5 ppg
Avery Wilson, Sophomore, Guard, 1.5 ppg
Ervins Meznieks, Senior, Forward, 1.1 ppg
Key New Players:
Jairus Hamilton, Freshman, Forward
Jared Hamilton, Junior, Guard, Transfer from Georgia Southern
Chris Herren, Jr., Freshman, Guard
Wynston Tabbs, Freshman, Guard
Jairus Hamilton, Freshman, Forward
Jared Hamilton, Junior, Guard, Transfer from Georgia Southern
Chris Herren, Jr., Freshman, Guard
Wynston Tabbs, Freshman, Guard
Projection:
Losing 20.7 points per game from Jerome Robinson is going to sting, but Boston College has multiple returning pieces from last season to help replace his production. Ky Bowman will be an All-ACC candidate as a junior after he averaged 17.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.5 steals as a sophomore. With Robinson gone, Bowman will be the driving force of the Eagles offense this year. Jordan Chatman also returns to the Boston College backcourt after averaging double-digits last season. Chatman is a sharp-shooting wing who will need his all-around game to take a step forward as a senior. Nik Popovic and Steffon Mitchell return as the starting frontcourt for the Eagles. Neither Popovic or Mitchell are dangerous scoring threats, but both returning will give Boston College stability in the post. The Eagles’ main weakness last year was their depth, and they will need some of the five returning bench players to develop and provide reliable minutes. Boston College will get some added depth in the spring semester when Jared Hamilton becomes eligible to play. Hamilton transferred from Georgia Southern last fall after averaging 6.5 points in eight games. Jared’s brother Jairus will also join Boston College as a four-star, top-100 freshman this season. The Eagles have enough talent back to remain in the middle of the loaded ACC, but they will need improvement from their returning players to have a chance at getting to the NCAA Tournament.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NIT
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 76.4 (92th in nation, 6th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 74.6 (236, 14)
Field-Goal Percentage: 45.0 (158, 10)
Field-Goal Defense: 44.5 (211, 14)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 8.5 (89, 2)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 35.9 (122, 10)
Free-Throw Percentage: 74.1 (70, 5)
Rebound Margin: 2.1 (103, 7)
Assists Per Game: 14.1 (141, 7)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.6 (148, 11)
Madness 2019 NBA Draft Rankings:
#65 Ty Bowman
Madness 2018 Men’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#83 Jairus Hamilton
