ACC: Notre Dame Poised To Improve
Last season, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish began their first season of ACC play after previously competing in the Big East. Mike Brey’s team was not expected to be a title contender, but they were expected to at least make the NCAA tournament and finish in the top half of the conference.
The Irish had made four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, and nine total in Brey’s 13 years as head coach.
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Last season got off to a rocky start, as they lost non-conference games to Indiana State and North Dakota State early in the year. Doubt started to creep in as to whether or not this Notre Dame team could compete during their first season in the expanded ACC.
Things would get worse. In late December junior point guard and leading scorer Jerian Grant would be suspended for the rest of the season for an “academic matter.” At the time, Grant was having the best season of his career, averaging 19 points and 6.2 assists per game.
For the first time in his college career, he was also performing efficiently. Even with an increased role, Grant shot 51.8 percent from the field and 40.8 percent from three point range.
Grant was undoubtedly the best player on the team and his absence would further torpedo their season. The Irish would finish the year 7-13 without Grant, for a final record of 15-17. For the first time as the coach of Notre Dame, Mike Brey would fail to reach any postseason tournament.
After the disastrous 2013-14 season, there is nowhere to go but up. Grant returns from his suspension for his senior season, which gives them their leader and best player back. Even though they struggled last season, that team still had talent that will return this season.
Pat Connaughton is a senior shooting guard who attempted to pick up the scoring slack when Grant left. He is a very good shooter, he shot 37.8 percent from 3 last season, and also showcased improved ball-handling. With Grant’s dribble penetration back, Connaughton should have more open shots and space to work with.
Lineups including Grant, Connaughton, and shooter Steve Vasturia have the potential to put up points in a hurry, especially from outside.
Joining Grant, Connaughton, and Vasturia in the backcourt rotation will be Demetrius Jackson. Grant’s suspension led to Jackson playing more than expected during his freshmen season, but he played well. Jackson averaged six points per game, and shot 41.7 percent from outside in 22 minutes per game.
Whether or not Jackson makes the starting lineup remains to be seen. He may best serve the team coming off the bench to assume ball-handling duties when Grant needs a break.
Big man Zach Auguste also returns. He averaged a modest 6.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per game last season, but he should see his minutes increase significantly after the departure of Garrick Sherman. Auguste is a long and athletic 6-foot-10 inches, he is the only thing they have in terms of rim protection.
Whether or not Auguste can successfully anchor the defense will be something to watch as the season progresses. Junior Austin Burgett may also crack the starting five for a team lacking in post players. He did not play much last season, but Mike Brey needs all the help he can get inside.
The addition of Grant should be enough to right the wrongs of last season. His scoring and play-making abilities open up the offense for the rest of the team making them much tougher to guard. An ACC championship is unlikely, but if everything breaks right they could assert themselves as one of the better teams in the crowded middle of the ACC.
The one thing that could hold them back is their lack of post depth. They just have to hope their talented perimeter players make up for their deficiencies down low.