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August 15th,
2006
By Joel
Welser
Broadcast Basketball
Notre Dame
Fighting Irish
Overall Rank:
#87
Conference
Rank: #11 Big East
2005-06:
16-14, 6-10, 11th (t)
2005-06
postseason: NIT
 Even with Chirs
Quinn on the floor, Notre Dame lost tons of close games last
year. Without the point guard, one cannot expect the Irish to
start winning those types of games. Only the other Quinn from
Dublin, Ohio will be winning close games this fall. Well, most
of those probably won’t even be close.
Who’s Out:
Quinn
is a huge loss. The guy averaged a smooth 40.0 minutes, 17.7
points, 6.4 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals per contest.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, it is actually the losses to the
frontcourt that will be most painful for the Irish. Torin
Francis received much criticism from fans, but the numbers don’t
lie. Francis averaged 11.6 points and a team high 9.4 rebounds
and provided some experience and leadership. Rick Cornett was a
solid big man off the bench and averaged 5.4 points and 3.6
boards during his senior season.
Who’s In:
Luke
Harangody is a nice addition to the frontcourt. The 6-8, 255
pound forward is crafty around the basket and doesn’t lack
strength or toughness like so many other freshman big men.
Harangody won’t light up the Big East as a freshman, but he
should be able to contribute and provide a nice option off the
bench. Tory Jackson, Jonathan Peoples and Joe Harden will help
out on the perimeter. Jackson is the big name recruit of the
group and the 5-10 point guard is a hardworking, quick player.
Jackson will break down defenders and beat them off the dribble,
but his decision making skills still need some work. Peoples
doesn’t have the range to hit the long ball with consistency,
but he is an exciting player to watch in transition. Harden is
a hardworking 6-7 wing. He has good instincts, but won’t likely
see much action early in his career.
Who to Watch:
Rob
Kurz and Luke Zeller will have to see a drastic increase in
production in order for Notre Dame to make the postseason. Kurz,
a 6-9 junior, averaged 6.4 points and 5.9 rebounds last season
in 12 starts. Zeller added on 3.4 points and 3.1 boards during
his freshman campaign. Both players can hit the outside shot,
but the Irish seem to let the big guys roam a little too much.
Kurz and Zeller need to stay inside, get on the glass and leave
the outside shooting to the talented group of guards.
Final
Projection:
And there is
still quite a bit of talent on the perimeter. Kyle McAlarney
started ten games last year and will take over the point guard
spot. McAlarney can dictate tempo and become a floor leader.
He’ll need some help from friends early in the season, but by
the time the football season is over and people start watching
hoops in South Bend, he should be settled in. With Colin Falls
and Russell Carter on the wings, McAlarney won’t have to shoot
much, but he has the ability to hit the long ball and keep the
defense honest. As always, the Big East is difficult. Even
getting to the Big East Tournament will be tough, but if the
bigs can hold their own on the glass and the defensive end, a
trip to MSG and the NIT isn’t far off.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
none
Projected
Starting Five:
Kyle McAlarney,
Sophomore, Guard, 6.6 points per game
Colin Falls,
Senior, Guard, 13.8 points per game
Russell Carter,
Senior, Guard, 11.5 points per game
Rob Kurz,
Junior, Forward, 6.4 points per game
Luke Zeller,
Sophomore, Forward, 3.4 points per game
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