Boston College Basketball: 2019-20 season preview for the Eagles

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 05: Head coach Jim Christian of the Boston College Eagles directs his team against the Duke Blue Devils during the first half of their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 05, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 08: Baldwin the Eagle, .ascot for the Boston College Eagles, performs a stunt with Boston College Eagles cheerleaders against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during their first round game of 2012 ACC Men’s Basketball Conferene Tournament at Philips Arena on March 8, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Key storylines and questions

1.) Can Popovic break out for the Eagles?

Nik Popovic will have lots of pressure to perform at a high level this season for the Eagles. Being the team’s returning leading scorer, he will be looked upon to produce big numbers. Popovic is the main forward and Wynston Tabbs and Derryck Thornton will be the main guards this year. Popovic may have some trouble in ACC play with playing powerhouses such as Duke, North Carolina, Virginia, Florida State, Louisville, and Syracuse so he will need to bring his A-game when these opponents come up.

2.) Will Boston College finish in the Top 10 of the ACC?

Boston College has struggled the past few years with being a premier program. They are turning the corner with Jim Christian at the helm, but they will for sure need to play at a high level at all times in order to get into the top 10. The ACC is always an extremely tough conference to play in and they consistently put in many teams into the NCAA Tournament come March so the Eagles will definitely have their hands full.

3.) Can Derryck Thornton run point and score?

Thornton averaged just below 10 ppg in his two years at USC and one season at Duke. The Eagles are going to need someone besides Popovic to help lead them in the right direction. Thornton will have to be able to run the point at a superb level this season if the Eagles want to succeed this season. Every team needs a good leader and Thornton has the resources to achieve that status and help Boston College progress as a good program.