2006-2007 Big East Preview: #13

#13- Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Last season: 16-14 (6-10), lost to Michigan in the second round of the NIT.
Coach: Mike Brey (7th year). 118-70 at Notre Dame.


First some news on the Irish recruiting front: Brey received an oral commitment from forward Tyrone Nash, a 6-7 forward from Long Island, NY on Monday. Nash, re-classified as a 2007 recruit, turned down an offer from Kentucky and decided to prep this year at Northfield Mount Hermon in Massachusetts. Nash chose Notre Dame despite offers from Stanford, Seton Hall, and St. John's, in addition to the offer from Kentucky.


Coming off a year in which they lost seven games by a total of 15 points, including five games in overtime, Notre Dame is out to prove they can get over the hump. Of course, getting over that hump requires superb leadership not only by the coaching staff, but by players as well. Complicating matters in 2006-2007 will be the loss of point guard Chris Quinn, the leader of last season's team. This year, the onus is on Colin Falls. Falls, one of the best three point shooters in the country, is one of three seniors on the Irish roster. The question of leadership is perhaps the biggest facing Notre Dame heading into the 2006-2007 campaign. Fellow senior Russell Carter will also have to step up his game and his leadership ability to give Falls a boost. Coach Mike Brey acknowledges that Carter has become "a Big East forward," as Carter averaged double figures last year.

When I look at Notre Dame's roster, I see an offense that will revolve almost exclusively around the three point arc. With Falls and sophomore guard Kyle McAlarney (who was good for 43% from downtown last year) on the perimeter, opposing teams will need to defend the three point shot and force Notre Dame to go inside. If teams are successful at doing that, Luke Zeller and Rob Kurz will need to tear it up on the low blocks for the Irish to have any success this year.

Notre Dame does have talent on the roster. The question is can they put it all together and challenge for a bid to the NCAA Tournament. With Brey under pressure in his 7th year and underachieving in the past few seasons this is a critical year for Notre Dame and Mike Brey, one which just might make or break his job status. An early season date with in-state rival Indiana in the NIT season tip off could be a huge confidence booster for the Irish if they manage to pull out a win. Notre Dame has two other non-conference games that are going to be difficult: A trip to Maryland on December 3rd, followed right up with a home date against Ronald Steele's Alabama Crimson Tide. A split in those two games could do wonders for the Irish. Their Big East schedule is difficult, drawing Villanova and DePaul twice. However, two games versus South Florida should put two wins in the Irish's column. A brutal road schedule will take them to Georgetown, Villanova, Syracuse, DePaul, and Rutgers among other places. I expect Notre Dame to be a team similar to last year who will play many close games but struggle to gain an identity right away.

Projected record: 15-14 (5-11).
Postseason: First round NIT loss.