Season Preview - Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Michael Ciepierski
BlueDemonsNation.com Managing Editor

School: University of Notre Dame

Location: South Bend, IN

Mascot: Fighting Irish

Conference: Big East

2004/2005 Record: 17-12 (9-7)

 

Overview: Coach Mike Brey is coming into this season heading in the "Bigger East" after three straight NIT appearances, and fans are saying this is not enough. Most blame the team's failures over the past few seasons on former point guard Chris Thomas, who took questionable shots and was a turnover machine, so this season there is no excuse. Armed with one of the best shooting backcourts in the country, Notre Dame is expected to finish the season in the middle of the pack in the Big East, and will go as far as their two fab freshmen, Zeller and McAlarney, take them.

Frontcourt: The Irish's frontcourt is the unproven component this year, as they return an underachieving big man, a junior and senior that did not put in a lot of time, and two freshmen that have yet to play a college game. The frontcourt is anchored by Torin Francis (9.3 PPG, 7.8 RPG). Once considered one of the best recruits in Notre Dame history, Francis pulled out of the NBA draft with fears of not getting drafted in either round and finish his career at Notre Dame. He's an efficient low post player that gets most of his points via rebounds and dunks. Alongside Francis will be Luke Zeller, the high school All-American from the state of Indiana. Zeller is the "new age bigman", being able to shoot from the outside and put it on the floor. He still needs to add strength, but his potential is unlimited. Coming off the bench will be senior Rick Cornett (3.7 PPG, 2.6 RPG) and Omari Isreal (1.4 PPG, 1.8 RPG). Both played about 9 minutes a game last season, and although both are considered offensive threats, both underachieved last season. Freshmen Zach Hillesland may also see some spot time.

Backcourt: The strength of Notre Dame lies in their backcourt, and who makes them special is their super-senior Chris Quinn (12.6 PPG, 3.1 APG). With Chris Thomas graduating last season, Quinn will be looked at to be the man on the court this year. Quinn is an efficient shooter both from outside and midrange, and has the basketball smarts to make others better. Most said last year that this year would be Quinn's year to run the point, but freshmen Kyle McAlarney might have something to say about that. His New York native is the fourth highest scorer in New York history, and is known as even a better distributor. Rounding up the three headed monster is Colin Falls (12.6 PPG, 2.1 RPG), who may be one of the best three point shooters in the country. Falls was considered one of college basketball's biggest weapons last season, almost carrying the team on his back the last 15 games of the season. Other players to contribute off the best are junior jumping jack Russell Carter (3.5 PPG, 1.4 RPG) and freshmen Ryan Ayers.

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