Popovic a big asset in Eagles’ growth project
Boston College center Nik Popovic in intent on becoming a prominent big man in the ACC.
The 6-foot-11, 242-pound junior from Bosnia and Herzegovina, expects to perform an expanded role when the Eagles open the season against Milwaukee tonight at Conte Forum.
“I see the whole court, so I have to make some decisions and I have to activate the players because the ball is going to go through me a lot more than last year,” Popovic said yesterday.
“I have to make smart decisions and make simple plays and, of course, my rebounding has to get better. I want to be more present on the offensive glass than I was last year.”
Boston College coach Jim Christian employs a running, transition offense and likely will start Popovic with forward Steffon Mitchell and guards Ky Bowman, Jordan Chatman and freshman Wynston Tabbs against Milwaukee.
“We have enough guys who have been through it and understand what we are trying to do,” Christian said.
“But it is still a new season, so there will be all that excitement and the newness to everything, but we have a good nucleus that can carry us.”
Popovic is a vital component in the BC nucleus, a standing he obtained last season by averaging 9.9 points and 6.2 rebounds in 36 games (33 starts).
Popovic played his best ball in the final nine conference games, averaging 13.0 points in that span. The run included a career-high 20 points in BC’s win against Georgia Tech in the ACC tournament.
“That was kind of a growing process, and I think it was the time I started to mature as a player,” Popovic said. “I feel bad that it didn’t happen at the beginning of the season, but it started at the end of the season, and now I’m going to be adding toit.”
Popovic is counting on a carryover effect along with the clarity that comes from being a third-year player in a familiar program.
“Now everything makes a little more sense, and everything I’m doing right now is what they want me to do,” Popovic said. “That’s what I’m focused on, and I’ll be focused more on what they want me to do than my personal goals.
“They have us do things that will win games, and I understand that it is not about me, it’s about the team. I have to keep a positive attitude to help the team.”