By the Numbers: Inside Bickerstaff’s Rebounding Success
Andy Backstrom (@andybackstrom)Publisher
TJ Bickerstaff began the season as one of Boston College men’s basketball’s top scorers. The Drexel transfer averaged 14.3 points per game through the Eagles’ first four contests.
Since, he’s entered double figures just three times. But he’s emerged as one of the best rebounders in the ACC.
A year removed from posting 5.2 rebounds per game as a Drexel starter, Bickerstaff is pulling down 8.2 boards per game with the Eagles, a mark that’s good for fifth in the conference. He’s 67th nationally, according to KenPom, in defensive rebounding percentage (24.5%).
The only players ahead of Bickerstaff on the ACC’s rebounding leaderboard are Louisville’s Malik Williams (8.5), Pittsburgh’s John Hugley (8.6), North Carolina State’s Dereon Seabron (9.3) and UNC’s Armando Bacot (12.1).
Bickerstaff went toe-to-toe with Bacot—who entered with a 10-game double-double streak—Wednesday night in Chapel Hill. The 6-foot-9 junior piled up 17 rebounds, one fewer than Bacot. Three of them were on the offensive glass.
Additionally, Bickerstaff’s length helped him lock down Tar Heels forward Brady Manek, who finished with just seven points on 2-of-8 shooting.
Bickerstaff now has four games this season with 15 or more rebounds. One other Eagle has mounted at least 10 rebounds in a game this year: center James Karnik (he’s had 13 boards twice).
So Bickerstaff is a big reason why BC is third in the ACC in rebounding margin (+3.2). Of course, his numbers are slightly inflated because of both his and the team’s poor shooting numbers. After a strong start offensively, Bickerstaff’s production has dipped, and he’s now hovering below 40% from the field.
BC, meanwhile, is last among league teams in ACC play when it comes to effective field goal percentage (42.9%), according to KenPom. It’s a factor in the Eagles ranking second in the conference with 11.7 offensive rebounds per game, especially considering BC’s woes from near the cup—Grant’s team was a combined 21-of-54 on layups against Louisville and Wake Forest.
After the Louisville game, during which Bickerstaff logged his second double-double of the year (12 points, 15 rebounds) but shot 4-of-12, Grant emphasized how his forward could be enjoying more offensive success with more precision at the rim.
“12 and 15 is a good night,” Grant said, “but … I thought he could have finished more around the basket. Could have been maybe an 18 and 15 night for him. They didn’t really have a shot blocker, and I thought he could finish some more baskets.”
Grant added that it was nice to see Bickerstaff bounce back after a streak of four straight games (since the 19-day COVID-19 pause) with two or fewer field goals.
He ended up playing a critical role in BC’s home win over Virginia Tech. Bickerstaff registered seven points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal. He did all of the little things, like pushing the ball in transition to set up what was essentially the game-clinching Jaeden Zackery layup and then icing the victory at the free throw line.
“For him to have an effective game, he’s gotta have the energy plays,” Grant said afterward. “He’s gotta defend and rebound. And he’s gotta get his hand on some balls.”
Bickerstaff has continued to do that in the two games since. Finishing at the rim, however, has remained difficult for the upperclassman. Most recently, he was 3-of-10 at UNC.
And he, notably, missed a second-chance 7-footer in the second half that would have cut the Eagles’ deficit to one.
If Bickerstaff can shoot close to 50%, he’ll be turning in double-doubles down the stretch.
Because he’s established himself as one of the best rebounders in the league.
