NCAA Basketball: Analyzing graduate transfer Derryck Thorton’s options

Boston College Eagles

The Eagles are another team that needs a point guard after losing their starter to the NBA Draft. Ky Bowman, the team’s leading scoring, passer, and rebounder is gone, leaving a massive hole. But since Thornton is already visiting the program, it’s clear there are genuine mutual interest.

The grad transfer would instantly coming in as a starter, facing his former team Duke for a couple of times. He would allow rising sophomore guard Wynston Tabbs to play off the ball more, which is his preferred position. There’s also a good chance that big man Nik Popovic (14.5 ppg and 7.2 rpg) will be back for his senior season, giving needed offensive balance.

Head coach Jim Christian’s success with perimeter players is an alluring factor for a player in Thornton who arguably has been mismanaged through his college career. And even though he is on the hot seat this upcoming season, it’s a one-year deal so his fate would have no impact on the transfer’s future.

But the thing that separates Boston College from the other teams on the list is that they’re the only one who didn’t make the 2019 NCAA Tournament. In fact, they finished under .500 overall. Even with Thornton, the Eagles aren’t likely to go dancing again. If this is about reasserting himself as a top-tier playmaker then this is a real option. If the ability to win has anything to do with his decision, then the ACC program won’t be the landing spot.