Boston College was in desperate need of shooting. On Sunday, the program tried to address those needs with the addition of Quinnipiac graduate transfer Rich Kelly.
For two straight seasons, the Eagles have shot under 32 percent on their 3-point attempts; BC ranked No. 296 nationally in 3-point percentage (30.8 3P%). Kelly is a career 38.7 percent 3-point shooter. During the 2019-20 season, the 6-foot-1 guard connected on 39.4 percent of his looks from deep.
He’s also an excellent free throw shooter: 238-of-283 FTA (84.1 FT%). As a team, Boston College shot under 66 percent from the line this season.
Quinnipiac grad transfer Rich Kelly has committed to Boston College, he announced.
Immediately eligible.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 29, 2020
A two-time All-MAAC selection, Kelly appeared in 89 games (86 starts) at Quinnipiac. While averaging 13.6 points per game in his college career, Kelly already has over 1,200 career points.
Kelly is more than just a shooter, though. Over his three seasons of college ball, Kelly posted an assist rate of 29.2 percent. That’s a healthy number.
These are somewhat desperate times for Boston College, as a program. BC has just one winning season under Jim Christian — back in 2017-18. The Eagles have yet to post back-to-back winning seasons since 2007 — during the Al Skinner era. Boston College last made the NCAA Tournament in 2009, also under Skinner. (The further we get away from that 2017-18 team, which won 19 games was led by future NBA guards Jerome Robinson and Ky Bowman, the more it feels like a real missed opportunity.)
Despite a record of 75-119 (.387) with the program, BC elected to bring Christian back for the 2020-21 season. The decision was met with plenty of consternation from the fan base; however, Martin Jarmond, the university’s athletics director, said that the uncertain environment surrounding COVID-19 played a role in his decision-making process.
Boston College will keep head coach Jim Christian. BC finished with a losing record for the fifth time in Christian's six seasons. AD Martin Jarmond said, “There is so much uncertainty right now with everything. You need to be steady and you need to have calm in uncertain times.”
— Julian Benbow (@julianbenbow) March 23, 2020
Next season could very easily be all or nothing for Christian with Boston College. The hurdle to clear may be the NCAA Tournament; that’s no small task in the ACC. Jairus Hamilton’s decision to leave the program stings; however, there are still interesting pieces.
After a strong freshman season, Wynston Tabbs missed his entire sophomore year (knee). Assuming good health, that’s a major addition. The Eagles also have Providence transfer Mark Ashton-Langford, a former top-50 recruit who redshirted this season. Jay Heath, who averaged 13.1 points per game as a rookie (37.6 3P%), should be back, too. (Heath has a lot of upside as an offensive weapon.)
Back in September, Boston College also beat out NC State for 4-star shooting guard Demarr Langford, an incoming freshman in 2020.
That could be a really nice mix of guards, including Kelly, to place around the ubiquitous Steffon Mitchell, a stat-stuffer and one of the best defenders in college basketball.
Steffon Mitchell finished the 2019-20 season ranked in the top 10 in the ACC in six statistical categories, including leading the league in total steals (68).#WeAreBC pic.twitter.com/sxeA0OLGTB
— BC Men's Basketball (@BCMBB) March 23, 2020