The absence of Chris Thomas and a couple
frontcourt players will make it difficult for Notre Dame to make
it the NCAAs. Despite the loss of talent in South Bend, the
Irish bring in a great recruiting class that will make Notre
Dame dangerous come March.
Who’s Out:
Chris Thomas averaged 14.2 points, 6.7 assists, 5.0 rebounds and
2.1 steals per contest. His leadership will be tough to replace.
The frontcourt loses Dennis Latimore and Jordan Cornette.
Latimore started 14 contests averaging 7.0 points, 4.3 rebounds.
Cornette started 22 games, putting up 4.2 points, 4.4 rebounds
and 1.6 blocks. Also heading out are little used Greg Bosl and
Ben Nickol.
Who’s In:
The Irish found themselves on the dismal side of the bubble last
year, and losing so much talent, they need a quality class to
make it back to the post season. Kyle McAlarney and Luke Zeller
are great prospects who both could be starting from day one.
McAlarney can score in every which way and makes good decisions
running the point. Zeller, a 6-11, 245 pound Washington, Indiana
product, can face up or back down to the basket. Wing Ryan Ayers
and small forward Zach Hillesland can contribute as well. Ayers
has nice size at 6-7 and a smooth stroke from outside.
Hillesland has the height of a power forward at 6-8, but will
most likely see minutes at the other forward spot.
Who to Watch:
Chris Quinn will be the go to scorer now that
Chris Thomas is gone. Quinn averaged 12.6 points and 3.1 assists
as junior last year. The 6-2 Dublin, Ohio product may also be
asked to play the point while freshman Kyle McAlarney adjusts to
life in the Big East. That won’t be a problem at all for the
Irish. Quinn is an extremely capable point guard, who has great
floor vision and rarely turns the ball over.
Projected Conference Rank:
The Irish don’t have the depth and talent to
compete with the big boys of the Big East. Chris Quinn and Colin
Falls are a formidable backcourt. Torin Francis’ 9.3 points and
7.8 rebounds will greatly help out the frontcourt. The newcomers
need to come around quick and it would be helpful Rick Cornett,
Russell Carter, Rob Kurz and Omari Isreal can become more
productive off the bench. If the newcomers can become starters
relatively soon, a 9th place finish and a trip to the
NIT isn’t out of the question. If Kyle McAlarney and Luke Zeller
struggle all year, so will the Irish.
Projected Post-season Tournament:
NIT
Projected Starting Five:
Kyle McAlarney, Freshman, Guard, DNP last season
Chris Quinn, Senior, Guard, 12.6 points per game
Colin Falls, Junior, Guard, 12.6 points per game
Torin Francis, Senior, Forward, 9.3 points per game
Luke Zeller, Freshman, Center, DNP last season
