Basketball transfer updates

Central Connecticut State's Matt Mobley listed a bunch of potential landing spots, but speculation that he's favoring BC kicked up over the weekend. He's a scorer and a Mass native. He's probably the best transfer currently mentioning BC.

Michigan big man Max Bielfeldt is keeping his options -- including staying in Ann Arbor -- open. Based on his quotes, it sounds like he prefers Iowa State.

Neither Mobley nor Bielfeldt are difference makers. Both would be looking to play out their careers at a high level. Based on no other high profile transfers even mentioning BC, I think Christian is going to give the freshmen lots of minutes. The incoming transfers will just be for depth and some contribution.

As for the guys who left...Lonnie Jackson is officially headed to Boise State. Most expected him to head west and BSU has been floated as a possible outcome for a few weeks. He can play right away and if he stays healthy should be able good for at least three 3-pointers a game. 

Reading too much into the Lonnie Jackson news

Lonnie Jackson was supposed to be the example. The Christian staff saw him as a guy who had a few good skills but didn't develop enough physically or in his game to be an ACC player. They felt that was a failure of the previous staff. But he was also supposed to be someone who could lead the transition from Donahue to Christian. While other guys transferred or seemed out for themselves, Jackson was a guy who bought in to the new guys. He was ready to have a big year. Maybe he's a different type of example now that he's leaving.

This story has a different ending if Jackson doesn't get injured. If healthy, he would probably be a contributor right now and finishing his career at BC. Instead he and Christian's staff are moving on. Jackson can finish his degree and pick the right spot to play next year. His dad's quote seems like he doesn't care about location, just playing time. I am sure he will find somewhere.

For Christian, this creates a problem and an opportunity. Even if he wasn't a game changer, Jackson potentially provided some leadership, a shooter and some roster balance as a 5th year senior next season. They can find talent to fill his minutes and points, the question is whether it will be another 5th year, a traditional transfer or another incoming freshman. Ideally it would be a low-risk, high reward 5th year. That would keep the balance. We won't know until later in the spring when the transfer market shakes out.

Best of luck to Lonnie. I am sorry it never came together at BC for him or the other guys in Donahue's mega recruiting class.

Lonnie Jackson out for the year

Lonnie Jackson was one of the first Donahue holdovers to impress Jim Christian and the new staff. Aside from the weight they wanted him to put on, he was poised to be a contributor and leader of the new team. An injury derailed that. He missed the beginning of the season and after a few brief appearances will miss the remainder of the season with the same leg injury. While unfortunate for this season, this is not terrible news for Jackson or Jim Christian's rebuild.

Jackson will apply and should be granted a medical redshirt. That gives him one more year of eligibility and helps correct the major roster imbalance that BC still faces. With Jackson returning, he and Dennis Clifford would serve as the senior leaders of next year's team. If Hanlan returns and they pick up a few more transfers, BC would have an experienced roster and some versatility among its seniors. The extra year also gives Jackson a chance to bulk up. The new staff liked him a lot and felt his frame was the only real drawback to him seeing lots of minutes.

Jackson is a role player. He could have helped this year, but not enough for BC to be a tournament team. Coming back next year, healthy and ready to play could ease Christian's transition and help BC avoid the bottoming out that usually occurs with mega classes and coaching turnover.

More on the early enrollees and other links

Early enrollees are nothing new to BC. However, the size of this group and the attention they are getting is different. Murphy and Wade highlight the list but all the new players will be important. As a reminder enrolling midyear benefits the program in two ways. The primary benefit is the ability to go through Spring ball with the team. Although less critical to the on the field performance, midyear guys also count towards last year's recruiting commitments. This means Addazio could exceed the 25 scholarship limit on Signing Day. I don't think he will since I predict he will want to leave space for some mid year players next January.

Now healthy, Lonnie Jackson is playing with much more confidence.

Andrea Adelson wrote a fair recap of the football season.

BC is going hard after 2015 New Jersey Linebacker prospect Jamie Gordinier.

Larmond back and other links

Colin Larmond says he's healthy and poised for a big season. If he can stretch the field, I think it will make like easier for Rettig and the offense in general.

Incoming BC basketball winger Lonnie Jackson knows the adjustment to college will be overwhelming. Yet he's still excited to play Duke.

The Capital Region Football Hall of Fame enshrined Josh Beekman for his standout high school, college and pro career. Although the Bears cut him, Beekman is still trying to catch on with another team.

Alex Albright continues to make good impressions with the Cowboys. When he signed with Dallas, I questioned the fit...which reinforces how little I know.

It sounds like Kiwi is ready to have a big year and put his neck issues behind him.

BC soccer player Kevin Mejia spent some time this summer as counselor at a soccer training center.

The recently retired Damien Woody joined ESPN as an analyst. Bristol is getting pretty full of BC guys.