Thursday, June 10, 2010

BC Basketball Exodus

Former Boston College basketball players Evan Ravenel and Brady Heslip have both landed on BCS schools this past week.

Ravenel, the undersized junior center, announced he would transfer to Ohio State University. His play gradually improved last year as the season progressed after playing limited minutes his freshman year. He averaged 3.3 points and 2.4 rebounds last year. The hiring of former Tulane head coach Dave Dickerson, who recruited Ravenel in high school, to Thad Matta’s staff played a major role in Ravenel’s connection to the Buckeyes.

Brady Heslip, an incoming freshman who will have to redshirt due to taking classes early last year, accepted a scholarship at Big 12 school Baylor, which has made the NCAA tournament each of the past two years. His decision to join Baylor came as a surprise to some after trimming his list of schools to Utah State and Georgetown.

Both players cited the firing of Al Skinner as the impetus to their change but it seems the coaching staff wanted to retain Ravenel while they encouraged Heslip to search for a change of scenery.

Senior Rakim Sanders also transferred out of the program to Fairfield.

One Note to also consider: If Nebraska starts the domino effect that will be the dismantling of the Big 12, Heslip might end up playing in Conference USA or even the Sun Belt Conference.