Mar 2, 2024; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Boston College Eagles head coach Earl Grant reacts to game action against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second half at Conte Forum. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Boston College basketball fans might not recognize many faces when their team opens its season at home on Monday against The Citadel in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.
The Eagles lost all five starters from last season’s team, which finished with a 20-16 overall record and 8-12 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Center Quinten Post graduated and the other four left through the transfer portal.
Those returning include guard Chas Kelley III (3.7 points per game), guard Donald Hand Jr. (5.0 points, 1.9 rebounds per game) and forward Elijah Strong (2.7 points).
Roster rotation is just one part of the current game, Boston College coach Earl Grant said.
“I think it’s an ever-changing environment,” Grant said. “I can’t really control it… We’re at the point where we are, in 2024, right? But in terms of culture, you just try to get players who have good character, who fit what you think is important to win on and off the court.”
Among the offseason additions are transfers Dion Brown (UMBC), Chad Venning (St. Bonaventure) and Josh Beadle (Clemson). Venning, a 6-foot-10 player, averaged 13.4 points and 4.6 rebounds in 33 games last season.
“(Venning is) a physical presence on both ends of the court and could be elite with his shot-blocking abilities,” Grant said.
Last season, Citadel finished with an 11-21 overall record and 3-15 in the Southern Conference. Keynan Davis, a 6-foot-6 guard, is the only returning starter. AJ Smith, the team’s leading scorer in 2023-24 at 16.2 points per game, transferred to the College of Charleston, but freshman Eze Wali is someone who could make an immediate impact.
“Eze is a quick-reacting point guard with the ability to score and also create for others,” The Citadel coach Ed Conroy said. “Our team, with so many new faces, will certainly face challenges early on, but these types of opportunities will prepare us for our Southern Conference schedule.”
–Field level media
