5 Things Boston College Basketball Must Do This Summer

By Reed Hunnicutt

5 Things Boston College Must Do This Summer

Boston College Basketball — Boston College has dealt with some major blows over the last few months. Now they face a lot of question marks about the identity of the team. It will take more than a couple weeks to resolve these issues, but they have a summer to try to move in the right direction. There are no easy solutions for a team that lost six of its top eight scorers.

5. Don't Feel Sorry For Themselves

Will Magarity

5. Don't Feel Sorry For Themselves

Will Magarity — Boston College lost six of their top eight rotation players. Olivier Hanlan left for the NBA, and their 6-foot-11 stretch four Will Magarity decided to transfer to Davidson. The last thing the Eagles need to do is cry about their circumstances. Teams like Duke and Virginia aren't going to take it easy on them just because they had some bad luck. BC must use this summer to develop some team chemistry instead of dreaming of what could have been.

4. Learn To Live Without Olivier Hanlan

Olivier Hanlan

4. Learn To Live Without Olivier Hanlan

Olivier Hanlan — Hanlan scored or assisted on nearly 50 percent of BC's made field goals last season. No single player can make up for all of his production. Dennis Clifford and Garland Owens should have increased roles in the frontcourt. With so much experience gone, the incoming freshmen will also have a chance to prove themselves. AJ Turner is a skilled wing and Matt Milon is an aggressive lefty guard. With the lack of depth, both could score 8-10 points game.

3. Find a Point Guard

Boston College Basketball

3. Find a Point Guard

Boston College Basketball — The Eagles will be low on talent and experience. If they want to stay out of the bottom three in the ACC standings, they will need to find a serviceable point guard. Right now their likely options are 5-foot-10 Steve Perpiglia or 6-foot-2 Darryl Hicks, who sat out last season with a torn ACL. Perpiglia got limited minutes last season, but he will probably be the favorite going into the summer.

2. Condition Dennis Clifford To Be the Primary Scoring Option

Dennis Clifford

2. Condition Dennis Clifford To Be the Primary Scoring Option

Dennis Clifford — Hanlan was the show for the past three seasons. Now that he is gone, and the other top scorers have graduated, Clifford will need to be a key part of the offense. He averaged 6.9 points while leading the team in rebounds and blocks. The 7-foot-1 senior can hit mid-range jumper and free throws. He just needs to get in the physical shape necessary to play 30-35 minutes a game as the primary scorer in a conference full of talented posts.

1. Buy Into Jim Christian's System

Jim Christian

1. Buy Into Jim Christian's System

Jim Christian — The Eagles lacked the talent to make a smooth transition into Christian's system, going 13-19 and 4-14 in ACC play. At Ohio University, Christian had a balanced offense that led the nation in assists during 2012-13. Boston College had more talent than that Ohio team, but they were playing in a tougher conference with no experience under the two-time MAC Coach of the Year. The Eagles will need a balanced, deliberate pace to keep games close.

Reed Hunnicutt is an ACC Basketball Beat Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on twitter @rd_hunnicutt04, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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