Notre Dame Basketball: Temple Gibbs and Rex Pflueger are ready to breakout
Sophomore Temple Gibbs and junior Rex Pflueger look like breakout players for Notre Dame basketball. How will they be used in the Notre Dame lineup?
Notre Dame seems to have multiple breakout players every season. Last season, Bonzie Colson and Matt Farrell broke out and significantly improved their production. Colson went from a valuable reserve as a freshman to a double-digit scorer as a sophomore, with his junior season bringing it all together.
Colson established himself as one of the best players in the ACC and as an All-American by averaging 17.8 ppg, 10.1 rpg, and 1.4 bpg as a junior. These numbers are even more impressive when you consider that Colson is only 6’5 and plays most of his minutes at center.
Matt Farrell experienced an even bigger breakout season and was a leading candidate for the most improved player in the entire country. Farrell was a complete non-factor as a freshman, scoring 14 points in total for the whole season.
As a sophomore, Farrell earned significantly more minutes as the backup point guard, but only averaged just 2.6 points per game. Like Colson, Farrell’s production skyrocketed in his third season with Notre Dame. He averaged 14.1 ppg and 5.4 apg.
Colson could easily eclipse 20 points per game this season and Farrell will continue to provide high-level scoring and facilitating from the guard position, but who will step up in a supporting role?
The answers look to be sophomore guard Temple Gibbs and junior wing Rex Pflueger.
Temple Gibbs, Sophomore
Gibbs is a 6’3 combo guard who averaged 4.7 points and 1.7assists in 15 minutes per game as a freshman. These numbers seem nondescript for a highly ranked freshman, but they are standard for Notre Dame underclassmen who are ready for breakout seasons.
While Gibbs is Notre Dame’s point guard of the future, he will have to play most of his minutes off the ball this season. Gibbs has enough size to play off the ball at the college level and playing next to a great like Matt Farrell will only benefit Gibbs in the long run. This will also allow Gibbs to focus on scoring the basketball and expect the sophomore to average double figures.
Gibbs can score from anywhere on the court but is at his best when he attacks the basket. Like many freshmen, Gibbs struggled with his outside shot (32% from three), but he will prove to be a more consistent shooter with more experience under his belt. Having two dynamic guards who can get to the rim and shoot from long range will make Notre Dame’s offense extremely dangerous.
Notre Dame did not use a two point guard offense as much last season, but in previous years it was a staple. Jerian Grant and Demetrius Jackson excelled in the same backcourt and Jerian Grant and Erik Atkins were a formidable duo prior to that.
Rex Pflueger, Junior
Rex Pflueger looks to be the next Notre Dame wing to go from glue guy to double figure scorer. Pflueger was a starter last season and averaged just over 21 minutes per game. At 6’6, Pflueger has the size to defend multiple positions, he moves the ball on offense, and is a great three-point shooter (40%), which makes him a very valuable glue guy.
However, he should be much more than a glue guy this season and should see an increase in touches. Pflueger could see time at “power forward” this season, which could really enhance his offensive impact. He will have the size to guard bigger players and, as a natural perimeter player, will hold a quickness advantage.
Pflueger will be even more prepared for his potential breakout season after playing with the USA East Coast Team. The USA East Coast team is a group that mostly consists of high major role players and they are playing various teams in Europe.
While this team is not facing the toughest competition, the players benefit from the extra practice time and game action. Also, this team is coached by Larry Brown and being able to learn from a legendary coach is a great opportunity.
If Pflueger can improve his shot-creating abilities and maintain a high three-point percentage with increased attempts, then he should be one of the best wings in the ACC.
Notre Dame is so successful year in and year out because they focus on upperclassmen running their team. The younger players, like Gibbs and Pflueger last season, must prove themselves in reserve roles before they are thrust into the starting lineup.
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As mentioned above, Colson and Farrell, who are the current stars of Notre Dame, had to wait their turn and come off the bench for at least one season. This pattern can be traced back for years and is applicable for almost every Notre Dame standout.
VJ Beachem, Demetrius Jackson, Steve Vasturia, and Zach Auguste all had to wait their turn and take supporting roles before making a major impact. Gibbs and Pflueger should follow in their footsteps and establish themselves as impact players for the Fighting Irish.