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Cardiac Hill ACC Preview: #10 Notre Dame Fighting Irish

The Irish come in at tenth in our ACC basketball preview.

By JimHammett
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Coach - Mike Brey (13 seasons at Notre Dame, 300-159 record, 9 NCAA Tournament appearances)

Arena - Joyce Center (9,149 capacity)

2013-14 Record - 15-17 (6-12 ACC)

Games with Pitt - @ Pitt Saturday January 31 12:00

Top Returning Players (Italics = projected starter)

-- Jerian Grant 6'5" SR SG 19 PPG 6.2 APG

-- Pat Connoughton 6'5" SR SF  13.8 PPG  7.1 RPG  3.0 APG

-- Zach Auguste 6'10" JR PF  6.7 PPG 4.3 RPG

-- Demetrius Jackson 6'1" SO PG 6.0 PPG

-- Steve Vasturia 6'5" SO SG  5.0 PPG

-- Austin Burgett 6'9" JR PF 3.0 PPG

-- V.J. Beachem 6'8" SO SF   2.4 PPG

Impact Newcomers

-- Martin Geben 6'9" FR PF  #108 Overall Recruit on Rivals

-- Bonzie Colson 6'5" FR PF #145 Overall Recruit on Rivals

-- Matt Farrell 6'1" FR PG  3-star on Rivals

The Scoop - Notre Dame's season had some promise last year, but things went downhill when Jerian Grant was ruled academically ineligible mid-season. Grant is back for his senior season and he instantly becomes one of the best players in the league again. He joins a fellow senior wing, Pat Connaughton, as the team's go to scorers this season. Both players are very good in their own right and they give Mike Bray dynamic scoring options.

Demetrius Jackson will be the full time point guard this year with Eric Atkins graduating, and he was once a big time recruit and is loaded with potential and talent. The back-court is strong, but up front is certainly a little thin. Zach Auguste will be counted on to do a lot this season, but two freshmen may see some time down low also. Martin Geban and Bonzie Colson were both solid recruits, and Geban has the size to be a real factor for the Irish instantly.  They do have some good players, but depth will be an issue for Notre Dame all year long.


Final Outlook - Notre Dame is coming off one of the worst years in the Mike Brey era, but there is optimism for them this year. Connaughton and Grant are solid players in this league, but there are a lot of questions marks beyond those two. The Irish had a rough record last year, but they remained competitive throughout the season. I look for them to win a few more, and to remain competitive in almost all of their games.

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