Notre Dame basketball: 2017-18 season preview

The 2017-18 college basketball season is quickly approaching, here is our season preview for Notre Dame basketball.

Despite being ranked almost all of last season, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish were a bit underappreciated. They tied for the second-best record and was a three seed in the ACC Tournament, a conference many claimed to be the best since the Big East in 2011.

Part of the slow process to warm up to the school was their non-conference schedule, where the only credible win came from Northwestern. The back-to-back losing performances against Villanova and Purdue left questions as to how true of a contender they were.

What ultimately allowed Notre Dame to navigate the ACC was the combination of experience (all starters were upperclassmen) and talent where other schools in the league lacked either one or the other. They started out strong winning the first five games. Then after a brief skid, they won six in a row near the end of the season.

They met their end in the second round against West Virginia with only one day to prepare for the Mountaineers’ unpredictable press. It still was a great season for the team and coach Mike Brey, as they look forward to this year. While the two main stars of the team return, the Irish will have to find replacements for sharpshooter Steve Vasturia and forward VJ Beachem.

Vasturia was by far the best overall shooter of the team and was an instant threat for opponents to deal with. Beachem will be more difficult to replace, as he was the ideal fit alongside the All-Conference center. He averaged 14.5 ppg and had the versatility to guard both posts and wings when needed. His absence will be felt on both ends of the court.

Even without these guys, Notre Dame could very well remain on the part of the ACC. But it will depend on a couple of All-American caliber starters.