2012-13 Boston College Basketball Preview: Roster Turnover

Jeremy Brevard-US PRESSWIRE

Soaring to Glory tips off its fourth full season covering Boston College basketball, and does so with great anticipation. Last year, the Eagles men’s basketball team had an entirely new look as about two-thirds of the roster was freshman, and many familiar faces moved on to their post-collegiate lives. In 2012-13, the new guys that none of the casual fans could name are the familiar faces, and the expectations are being increased.

While not as dramatic as last year, the 2012-13 Eagles did see some turnover — some expected, some through attrition — but hopes abound that a better product will take to the hardwood this season.

In total, seven players have left the Eagles from last season. Bench players Salah Abdo, Peter Rehnquist, and Deirunas Visockas all ended their eligibility, as did new graduate assistant coach John Cahill. There were three transfers or shifts to new schools: junior Matt Humphrey, sophomore Gabe Moton, and freshman walk-on Ryan Kilcullen. Humphrey did not technically transfer because he graduated from Boston College. He will now play at West Virginia for his final year of eligibility, while Moton will play at Brandeis and Kilcullen at Williams.

Six new faces replaced them. The two touted recruits from this class were Olivier Hanlan and Joe Rahon, both of whom can probably expect playing time right away. Boston College netted one transfer from Notre Dame, Alex Dragicevich, but he cannot play this season under NCAA rules. Harvard graduate Andrew Van Nest will join the Eagles for his final season of eligibility (and can play immediately) while walk-ons Drew Jacobs and Steve Perpiglia round out the new players.

Of course, nine faces from last year return. A majority of them are sophomores: Ryan Anderson, John Cain Carney, KC Caudill, Dennis Clifford, Jordan Daniels, Patrick Heckmann, Lonnie Jackson, and Eddie Odio. Believe it or not, the most tenured Eagle is Danny Rubin, a junior entering his third season at Boston College.

The roster was freshman-heavy last year, but with eight players now as sophomores, the experience level of the team automatically increases. Boston College’s class breakdown is as follows:

This team is still very young, and did lose a few of upper-classmen after last season (granted, most of whom did not play very much). The loss that most people will notice is Humphrey, as he took many shots and attempted to lead the team as a junior. Ryan Anderson ultimately emerged as the team’s leader, but they will need him to continue to be that person in 2012-13 and beyond.