Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Big East (24-7, 11-5)
Seed: #6
Midwest Region
RPI: 31
Big Wins:
12/3 at Maryland (81-74), 1/27 Louisville (66-63), Marquette (85-73)
Bad Losses:
1/23 at St. John’s (68-71), 2/3 at South Florida (63-69), 2/8 at DePaul
(66-67)
Last NCAA
Appearance: 2003, Sweet Sixteen loss to Arizona
Coach:
Mike Brey (4-5 in 5 NCAA appearances)
Probable
Starters:
Tory Jackson,
Freshman, Guard, 7.7 ppg, 4.4 apg, 1.8 spg
Colin Falls,
Senior, Guard, 15.4 ppg, 2.4 apg
Russell Carter,
Senior, Guard, 17.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg
Rob Kurz,
Junior, Forward, 12.6 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.5 bpg
Luke Harangody,
Freshman, Forward, 11.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg
Key
Roleplayers:
Ryan Ayers,
Sophomore, Guard, 2.9 ppg, 1.3 rpg
Zach Hillesland,
Sophomore, Forward, 5.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg
Luke Zeller,
Sophomore, Forward, 3.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg
Why They Can
Surprise:
Russell Carter
and Colin Falls are a couple great three-point shooters and they combine to
knock down over six a game. Carter is a more dynamic player and will
get to the basket and help on the glass. Falls is a catch-and-shoot long
ball type and rarely takes a shot from inside the arc.
The overall
defense is not anything spectacular, but the Irish will steal an average of
8.4 balls per game. Carter and Falls will get some steals here and there,
but it is point guard Tory Jackson who is the main pest on the defensive
end.
Why They Can
Disappoint:
Rob Kurz has
developed into a solid post presence, averaging 12.6 points and 7.9 rebounds
per contest. However, after Kurz, the forwards have been inconsistent.
Freshman Luke Harangody has seven double-doubles on the season and will be
the main man for the Irish under the basket sooner than later, but for now
the 6-8, 250 pounder makes too many freshman mistakes. Luke Zeller was
supposed to be the answer, yet the sophomore has not become the force Notre
Dame had hoped for. Zach Hillesland is a decent scorer and rebounder and at
least can provide some hard work off the bench.
Who To
Watch:
Jackson took
over the starting point guard duties after Kyle McAlarney was dismissed from
the team. He only shoots 22.0% from behind the arc and 65.0% from the
free-throw line, but the freshman can get the ball to his teammates and
create shots for himself. He was a great scorer in high school and has the
ability to put up some big numbers if Notre Dame needs him to do so. Jackson
is still coming into his own as the floor leader and every game gives him
more experience.
Joel’s Bracket Says: First
Round loss to Winthrop
