Boston College looks to get back in the win column when it returns from a 12-day layoff to host Fairleigh Dickinson on Monday night in Chestnut Hill, Mass.
The Eagles (5-6) have not played since losing to Massachusetts 76-74 on Dec. 10. It was their second one-possession loss in regulation on top of three others in overtime this season.
“We’ve had an opportunity to win every game,” Boston College coach Earl Grant said. “Let’s get 2% better this week, let’s really learn from the first part of the year of how do we improve and how do we get better?”
Grant hopes that Donald Hand Jr. can deliver more performances like he did against UMass, leading the Eagles’ four double-figure scorers with a game-high 18 points.
The reigning ACC Most Improved Player has had a more up-and-down season than last — including shooting just 17.8% from 3-point range — but still leads the Eagles with 15.1 points per game and ranks second in rebounding with 5.4 per game.
“He doesn’t have to be what he was last year. He’s just got to impact winning. Whether that’s defense, rebounding, getting assists,” Grant said. “I think he’s really got to understand it’s a new team, it’s a new year (with) different expectations.”
Massachusetts native Jason Asemota, who joined Boston College as a Baylor transfer, matched his season-high nine points and seven rebounds against the Minutemen.
Fairleigh Dickinson (3-8) is the third of Boston College’s four NEC opponents this season. Le Moyne will face the Eagles on Sunday.
All of the Knights’ wins have come against non-Division I opponents, including a 76-42 Friday triumph over Division III Lehman College. However, their schedule has featured the challenges of Iowa State, Texas and Providence, with a Dec. 29 visit to Minnesota to come.
Eric Parnell leads the Knights with 10.9 points per game this season.
Noah Melson (9.9 points per game) had a career-high 18 points along with six rebounds against Lehman. He canned five 3-pointers in that game.
FDU’s last major test was a 94-64 loss at Providence on Dec. 2, despite Joey Niesman’s 14 points on 4-of-6 shooting from distance. The Knights have also lost to Fordham since.
