Hawkins officially gone

The long speculated is finally official -- Deontae Hawkins will not return to BC for a sixth year of college basketball. He signed with an agent this week, making him ineligible. Both sides pursued a sixth year as soon as it became clear he would not return from injury, but it was not to be. As we've learned from football, the system is not friendly to the sixth year and a player really needs to show a truly unique medical issue.

Hawkins' short BC career will remain a great what if. I think he might have been the difference between an NIT and an NCAA selection, but he was still not enough to make BC elite.

BC has been actively looking to use their last open scholarship on an impact player. Let's hope whoever gets it has better luck than Hawkins. Good luck to Deontae on his professional career.

Hawkins done for the year

Per Goodman:

BC loses Deontae Hawkins for the rest of the season due to a knee injury, school spokesman Mike Laprey told ESPN. Tough blow to Eagles.

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) December 6, 2017

This is another setback for BC Basketball. Although Hawkins was only a grad transfer, he was supposed to provide the sort of front line help that might make BC more competitive this season. Tough loss for Hawkins too, as he was supposed to use this season to prove himself against elite ACC competition.

BC still has talent in the backcourt, but I fear teams are going to kill us on the boards all season.

Hawkins and BC could apply for a 6th year. Who knows if he would want one?

Basketball

Given how the Nebraska game ended, I expected BC to come out firing against Hartford. That's not exactly what happened. They first half was a struggle as the America East team to the lead. BC regained the lead and eventually pulled away in the second half to win.

The big factor was that Hawkins was out again. Gossip is that he's done for the season but that has not been confirmed by the school. Jerome Robinson led the scoring with 23 points and crossed the 1,000 career point mark. Once again BC struggled from 3. That's got to improve or this season will be frustrating.

BC has a week off before taking on Duke next Saturday.

Hawkins to BC...again

According to Jon Rothstein and a few others, Illinois State grad transfer is committed to BC again. This after spending all summer talking to and about everyone but BC, where he initially committed. As a reminder, Hawkins is eligible immediately and will be an impact player.

I don't know what to make of this game of Musical Chairs. His initial verbal was a coup for JC. Then the basketball world reacted with a basic question of "what are you doing getting on that sinking ship, kid?" He flipped flopped and looked elsewhere. Despite talking to solid programs, it seemed like BC remained his best option. Christian and staff deserve some credit for pulling Hawkins back in, but also some blame for letting it fall apart.

Hawkins might lift the ACC win total. We can only hope he makes more news on the court than he did off the court this summer.

Things not looking good for Hawkins

One of the bright spots of summer was Jim Christian's staff landing 5th year transfer Deontae Hawkins. There has been speculation and gossip for weeks now that he's not coming. I wasn't sure if it was an academic issue or something else. Well, now his old coach put the gossip out there saying "I don't think he's going to Boston College."
Others still think BC is in the picture.

BC commit Deontae Hawkins wants to visit a few more schools but BC is still at the top of his list, source says

— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) July 6, 2017

Regardless, this late stage doubt is not a good long-term or short-term sign. Christian needs help ASAP, and this would be a set back. And if Christian doesn't win this year, he is probably gone.

Christian adds another 5th year

Still needing some size, Jim Christian added Illinois State grad Deontae Hawkins to the basketball roster. As a graduate he is available to play immediately next season. Hawkins is 6-8 so he can hopefully help guard the bigger guys on D. On offense he can shoot from outside, so in theory he will be able to create some space and help with scoring.

Christian has found productivity with his transfers, but so far none of the guys has been enough to get BC to .500. I don't think Hawkins will either, but hopefully he compliments the roster enough that we see some improvement.