14. Boston College Golden Eagles (4-1)
The Boston College Golden Eagles are getting what they’ve expected from Ky Bowman whose always been reliable in his time with the team. Bowman is producing 21.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game as their leader on both ends, but he’s also getting some solid contributions from the rest of his backcourt.
Guards Justin Chatman and Wynston Tabbs have stepped up in the backcourt in place of Jerome Robinson, who went to the NBA. Chatman is averaging 14.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists per contest through the first five contest. Chatman and Bowman have been the Golden Eagles’ best 3-point shooters this year. Chatman is shooting 38.5 percent from behind the arc. Bowman is shooting 37.1 percent from 3-point range.
Tabbs has come on strong despite being only a freshman, putting up 11.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game this season. He’s started in four of the first five games for Boston College, showing his impact right away in a team desperate for backcourt help.
https://twitter.com/BCMBB/status/1059978483147907072
In the frontcourt, 6-foot-11 junior forward Nik Popovic and 6-foot-8 sophomore forward Steffon Mitchell are coming along. Popovic is averaging 10.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per contest. Mitchell is averaging 7.4 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. Off the bench, freshman Jairus Hamilton is putting up 5.4 points and 4.0 rebounds per game in 19.6 minutes of action.
The Golden Eagles will be the second game of the night in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Monday night against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The Golden Gophers are 5-0 on the season so far but this will be their first true road game of the year against Boston College.
Boston College will need to do their best to defend homecourt although they’re riding a three-game losing streak in the challenge. They also suffered an ugly home loss, 76-69, to the IUPUI Jaguars on Nov. 14 so winning here will be key.