Men's Basketball Preview: Nik Popovic, 2.0

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. -- Nik Popovic has always understood what he could do as a basketball player. He arrived at Boston College with a set of particularly successful skills, and he rode it to good performances in his first two years. After averaging six points and four rebounds as a freshman, he continued his progression as a sophomore, upping his totals to nearly 10 points and over boards per game.

But he exited 2017-18 unsatisfied. The Eagles qualified for the NIT and the team celebrated its success. Popovic, though, simply expected more out of himself, something that wound up driving him through an offseason in which he began evolving his play.

"We had a successful year, but I wasn't satisfied (with myself)," he said. "I was happy for my teammates and for the team, but I always wanted more. So this year, I want to make a deep run (into the postseason), and that's all I want."

Popovic was a good college basketball player over the last two years. As a freshman, he scored a game-winning basket with less than one second left against Auburn, celebrating at center court of the Mecca of College Basketball, Madison Square Garden. He went toe-to-toe with some of the ACC's best bigs, scoring 13 points in a loss at Syracuse and grabbing eight boards against Virginia.

Last season, he set career highs in scoring, at just under 10.0 points per game, posting double digits in 17 games - including 20 in a win over Georgia Tech in the ACC Tournament. He also reached double-digits in rebounds on four occasions, grabbing 14 boards in a win at Pitt.

But there was always an element of comfort to his game. He understood what worked and what he could fall back on within his game. It earned him small success, but it also triggered something inside him as a player. This summer, Popovic hit the court to change that perception and began diversifying as a player.

"I talked to the coaches a lot and watched a lot of film," Popovic said. "I did the same moves every time. They worked, but I realized we now have to expand my game. I'm becoming more crafty, and I'm putting in more effort into moves to move defenders and score plays. That'll help make plays for me, but it will help out other guys on the team as well."

The result is an updated version of an ACC high-caliber center. His size will always enable him to play at the rim and bang in the paint, but his evolution will include more. Heading into the low post will mean more moves and more deception. There are more interchangeable options from an up-and-under to a baseline ball fake. There's little things physically, all built from understanding physical size and being able to outsmart opponents, all taught, learned and absorbed in practice with his fellow front court batterymates.

"Luka and JC improved a lot," Popovic said of Luka Kraljevic and Johncarlos Reyes. "JC was always athletic. He always had that touch and could always play, and now when we play, he puts in so much effort that it makes things challenging for me. On the other side, Luka is a lot like me. I took aspects from his game, and he picked up pieces of mine, so now we're playing the same way. He does the same things in fakes like me. It puts so much pressure on me because he can move me and get me out of place. I've never seen a big man do that."

Talking to Popovic revealed a more serious side to his game. He's much more blue-collar about his play, and there's a workman-like tone to his descriptions. There's a quiet, steely determination that is driving him. It was present in his play the last two years, but it's been reconfigured for his junior season.

"For the past two years, I've made a lot of mistakes but learned how people play the game," he said. "I know now what they're going to do and not going to do. That makes me feel like I have a mental advantage. I understand the game better."

That will be important within the team game. Popovic finished last year third on the team in rebounds - and 21st in the ACC - after doubling his season total to 6.2 boards per game. He realized, though, that beating opposing centers in the paint doesn't always translate to rebounds. The goal is to neutralize big, strong, gritty players so the team, not the individual, prevents second chance points.

"I want to step up (this year) and make better plays," he said. "The last couple of years, I made a lot of rookie mistakes. I was trying to be a hero, so this year, I've slowed myself down. I just want to win games and not focus on the personal stats. I feel like I'm one of the best defenders in the low post (in the ACC)."

That said, he still understands how the game can be fun. "Maybe it's not true," he said with a laugh. "But I believe it. I'll make sure (opponents) have hard times. I don't want to give up any easy baskets."

Men's Basketball Preview: Nik Popovic, 2.0

Players Mentioned

Luka Kraljevic

Nik Popovic

Johncarlos Reyes

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