Notre Dame Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Fighting Irish

Projected Starters

TJ Gibbs

Gibbs is going to be the go-to guy for the Irish this year. As a sophomore, he averaged 15.3 ppg and helped the Irish overcome the injury of Colson. He is also Notre Dame’s primary ball handler along with Prentiss Hubb and has shown he can handle the pressure of being the guy in charge. Gibbs shot 40% from outside last year and also can get to the rim. Gibbs had a breakout year last year, but could even better this year. Look for him to be the best player nobody is talking about in the ACC.

Rex Pflueger

Pflueger is the heart and soul of this Irish team. He is the only four-year senior on the team and is without a doubt the team leader. He has shown the ability to score but his true value to this team is his defense. He has twice been voted defensive player of the year for the Irish and will look to make it three in a row this year. His leadership will be key this year for such a young team. He does need to improve his shooting, but he is not their main scorer so anything he contributes is a bonus on the offensive side.

DJ Harvey

Harvey had his sophomore season cut short last year due to a knee surgery. He has made the long journey back and looks to regain the form that made him look like he was primed for a breakout. He has the ability to score from anywhere on the court and is a very athletic three. The Irish need him to become the player he showed last year and provide some scoring help for John Mooney and Gibbs.

John Mooney

Mooney showed flashes of being a very good player last year. He shot 42% from outside and with his size (6’9″) that allowed him to stretch the defenses out and clear up the lane. He does not need to be the main scorer, but he has shown that he is capable of being the leading scorer in a game. How much he improves this year will go a long way in deciding how well the Irish can do in the ACC.

Prentiss Hubb

Hubb is a highly rated recruit that missed his senior year due to an ACL injury. He has been cleared to play and will look to be the point guard for the Irish. He showed the ability to score in bunches in high school, but may not be looked upon to score much for the Irish this year. If he can come in and handle the pressure of being the ball handler for Notre Dame it will take the pressure off of Gibbs and allow him to be the scorer he can be. Hubb has a ton of talent and Notre Dame is counting on him showing why he was rated so high in the nation.