5 things to know about the 2019-20 BC men’s basketball team
The Eagles enter a new era with a challenge ahead and lofty goals.
COMMENTARY
The ultimate goal in Jim Christian’s mind is the same every year: Make it to the Final Four.
This season is no different, but this is the first time the Boston College men’s basketball coach has publicly shared that mission to members of the media. He clarifies that doesn’t mean this team is any better, or any worse, than any he’s had in the past, but he believes there’s no reason to hold back.
“I just get tired of people saying we don’t deserve or belong to be with people,” Christian told Boston.com. “This is the ACC, man. We have every chance, every opportunity, every road to get to where it is. If we use what we don’t have as an excuse, then we’re wasting our time.”
The Final Four is an ambitious goal coming off a 14-17 season, but Christian doesn’t think limiting his team or questioning its potential is worthwhile. He’s loved his team’s connectedness so far, and he’s invigorated by its long-term potential.
With a new fifth-year point guard in Derryck Thornton, a savvy senior in Nik Popovic, an improved shooter in Steffon Mitchell, and a strong freshman class in the mix, the Eagles are hoping to surprise some teams in a loaded Atlantic Coast Conference.
“You use everything as motivation,” Thornton told Boston.com. “A lot of people don’t think we’re going to be that good this year, and I think we’re going to shock a lot of people and a lot of teams. It feels better to get under-looked and then end where you want to be.”
Jim Christian talks about how important player development is for @BCMBB and the growth he’s seen in his guys. 🦅#WeAreBC #ACCMediaDay | @BCJimChristian pic.twitter.com/14myUBlpSp
— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) October 9, 2019
Here are five things to know about the Eagles.
They have a new, seasoned point guard.
Derryck Thornton has been around. He’s seen it all and has spent lots of time under the spotlight.
Steph Curry follows him on Twitter. He played for Mike Krzyzewski at Duke. He transferred to the University of Southern California and spent two seasons there. Now, he’s at Boston College, and the graduate transfer is excited to start fresh and focus on hooping.
Thornton said his experiences at Duke and USC helped him learn both about himself and the sport. He developed what he considers a real connection with Christian right away, and he said Christian has followed through with everything so far. Thornton said Christian has held him accountable and taught him a lot already.
“I feel like I’m more mature than I ever have been, and I’m willing to help my team any way,” Thornton said. “I feel like my experience is really going to help this group and this team.”
NO NO NO NO NO 😶 @DerryckThornton (via @FS1) pic.twitter.com/RTGtTrDu1g
— Overtime (@overtime) February 22, 2018
Popovic has admired Thornton’s game from afar for a few years, so he wasn’t surprised when Thornton showed up and contributed right away. They should be a formidable duo in the pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop, and Popovic said it’s great to have a point guard who can create both for himself and others.
Christian noted that coming into a new situation and fitting in isn’t easy, but he said Thornton’s work with the team in the summer has him ahead of the curve. He’s trying to balance life as both a newcomer and a trusted leader and handle the situation with as much poise as he can.
“I think his ability to grasp and understand and try to get better at what he’s doing, that’s kind of spread to everybody,” Christian said.
Nik Popovic is poised for a big year.
While Thornton will have the ball in his hands a lot, he’ll have plenty of weapons around him to make plays.
One of those playmakers is Popovic, who was second on the Eagles at 14.5 points per game while shooting an impressive 52.6 percent from the field last year. Three of BC’s other top four scorers, however, are gone. Ky Bowman is a member of the Golden State Warriors, Wynston Tabbs is out for the year with a left knee injury, and Jordan Chatman is in Romania playing professionally.
Nik Popovic’s defense earns him a bucket on the other end! 💪#WeAreBC🦅(@BCMBB) pic.twitter.com/Ov6GSOV00J
— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) November 14, 2018
The Eagles have several players capable of filling the void, but it’s no secret Popovic will be a key part in everything they do. He said he’s worked diligently on his conditioning, rebounding, and low-post game in the offseason and is prepared for an even bigger role.
“I’ve definitely improved,” Popovic said. “It’s time to show it.”
Christian said Popovic’s maturity off the court has helped him on the court. He said he’s played enough to understand that he can get through tough moments and respond convincingly.
Popovic acknowledged it’s “pretty weird” being a senior, noting that he doesn’t want to stop playing college basketball quite yet. Fortunately for Popovic, he doesn’t have to, as he has a prime opportunity ahead of him this year.
“It’s my last season,” he told Boston.com. “I’m looking forward to putting all the work in and getting some wins and making it the best season ever.”
He may not be Steph, but he’s a new Steff.
While Thornton and Popovic have proven themselves offensively, Mitchell is still looking to do so consistently. He was fourth on the team in playing time last year but made just 31 field goals in 784 minutes.
Mitchell was 1 for 18 from 3-point range and 61 for 108 (56.5 percent) from the free-throw line, and teams were able to leave him open whenever he was outside the paint.
He did, however, lead the Eagles in blocks (32) and rebounds per game (7.9) and was second behind Bowman with 31 steals. The 6-foot-8-inch, 220-pound forward’s length and athleticism helped him earn minutes, and his focus this year is on becoming a more versatile and dependable offensive player.
“I don’t know if anybody’s worked harder than him, so he deserves to have success,” Christian said.
Christian said Mitchell could see action at the 3, 4, and 5 for the Eagles as they mix and match and play position-less basketball. He said Mitchell’s confidence has increased on the offensive end, and the Eagles are counting on him for a big season.
Don’t expect him to hoist 3s, but the goal is for him to be more of a threat on that end while continuing to swat and alter shots on the other.
“He’s improved his shot, and he’s continued rebounding and playing good defense,” Popovic said. “Adding those offensive details to his game is going to have a huge impact on the team.”
They have some fresh faces.
In addition to Thornton, Popovic, and Mitchell, senior forward Jared Hamilton, sophomore guard Chris Herren Jr., and sophomore forward Jairus Hamilton will all be in the mix.
Christmas came early for Chris Herren Jr. 🎁
Jim Christian gave the @BCMBB freshman a scholarship! 👏https://t.co/69aExH8kRs
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) December 20, 2018
Christian made it clear that several freshmen could get some early action as well, including 6’3 guard Jay Heath. ESPN.com ranked Heath as the No. 2 player in Washington D.C., and Christian said he could see time at the 1 or the 2.
Sharpshooter Julian Rishwain, versatile wing Kamari Williams, and long and athletic up-and-comer CJ Felder round out a freshman class Christian was quick to praise.
“Freshmen who are enthusiastic provide great energy,” Christian said. “Freshmen who come in entitled take away energy, but this is a really good group of freshmen.”
Thornton highlighted the competitiveness of the freshmen, and Popovic credited them for bringing energy every day.
“They haven’t missed any practices,” Popovic said. “They’re always there and always trying to improve themselves and their game. We’re pretty happy with what they’re doing.”
They enter a new era with lofty goals.
Life wasn’t as easy for the Eagles without lottery pick Jerome Robinson last year, and it won’t be as simple without Bowman this season.
Robinson and Bowman scored over half of BC’s points two years ago, and last season Bowman led the Eagles in points per game (19.0), assists per game (4.0), 3-pointers made (79), and steals (43), and he was even second in rebounds per game (7.5).
Christian, who admitted he fell asleep because it happened too late, was proud that Robinson and Bowman got to face each other as members of the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors last week.
“Different roads, but the same belief in themselves, same work ethic,” Christian said. “All the stuff that they were about here, they were rewarded for in their quest to be great players. Obviously they’re both in the infancy stages of what I think they’re going to be.”
Unranked recruits from North Carolina ➡️ Boston College stars ➡️ Hooping in the NBA. (📸: @LAClippers) pic.twitter.com/nwlUo6Geqd
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) October 25, 2019
While he’s thrilled for them, he knows he’ll have to cope without the luxury of having either one for the first time since 2014-15. The short-term goal for the Eagles is to rack up as many wins as they can before entering the heart of their schedule.
That starts with a league game against Wake Forest this Wednesday, Nov. 6, at Conte Forum at 6 p.m.
After a 9-23 season in 2016-17, the Eagles responded with a 19-16 record – including an upset win over No. 1 Duke – the next year. They regressed to a 14-17 mark last season, losing six of their final seven games after starting 13-11. Twenty-one of their 31 games were decided by 10 points or fewer, but they were 5-8 in such games in conference play.
They know life will be difficult once again in the ACC, but they’re hoping to make some noise. The Eagles are looking to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2008-09 and win a tourney game for the first time since 2006-07.
The odds are against them, but Thornton wholeheartedly agrees with Christian that the goal for this team should be to make the Final Four.
“A thousand percent,” he said. “We have the talent and the work ethic to achieve those goals. I think it’s just taking it day by day and not looking too far in advance. I feel like we have the ability to be a Final Four team.”
BC’s schedule:
Wednesday, Nov. 6: Wake Forest, 6 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 10: @USF, Noon
Wednesday, Nov. 13: High Point, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 16: Belmont, 2 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 20: Eastern Washington, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 23: DePaul, Noon
Wednesday, Nov. 27: Saint Louis, 2 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 30: @Richmond, 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 3: Northwestern, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 7: @Notre Dame, 2 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 10: Albany, 7 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 15: Central Connecticut, 1 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 21: California, 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 31: @Duke, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 7: Virginia, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Jan 11: Georgia Tech, 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 15: @Syracuse, 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 19: @Wake Forest, 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 22: @Pittsburgh, 9 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 25: Virginia Tech, 2 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 29: Louisville, 9 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 1: @North Carolina, 6/8 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 4: Duke, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 8: @Virginia Tech, Noon
Wednesday, Feb. 12: @Miami, 7 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 16: NC State, 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 19: @Virginia, 8 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 22: Clemson, 6/8 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 26: Notre Dame, 9 p.m.
Tuesday, March 3: Syracuse, 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 7: @Florida State, 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 10: ACC tournament begins
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