Notre Dame Basketball: 2020-21 season preview for the Fighting Irish

Key Reserves

Notre Dame’s thin bench appears as a weakness already noted by other teams, likely to hurt the team potentially during the season’s latter stages. However, some notable players still remain worth taking another look at.

Robby Carmody – Guard

Few players deserve our sympathies more than Robby Carmody, who after becoming the team’s first true freshman to start a game for the Fighting Irish since 2002, saw injuries derail his career. Most recently, Carmody underwent surgery to fix a broken knee-cap, likely to keep him sidelined through December. But if Carmody finally figures out how to stay off the operating table, Notre Dame will add a solid depth piece, likely with an advantageous chip on his shoulder.

Suiting up for seven games last year, Carmody averaged 5.4 points and 1.6 rebounds per game. But his offensive efficiency stands out has his most impressive attribute, shooting 50% from the field.

Still, Notre Dame undoubtedly needs more firepower from their bench to challenge for a tournament spot. Although healing up currently stands as Carmody’s first objective, elevating his game and becoming a serviceable sixth man remains one present as well.

Tony Sanders – Small Forward

As an athletic prospect who made dunking over his opponents a habit while playing for Gulliver Prep last year, Tony Sanders certainly seems like a freshman worth monitoring for Notre Dame fans, especially as a fast break threat. Additionally, Sanders’s height at 6’7 gives him an advantage over most wing defenders likely to face him.

With this Brandon Ingram-type build, Sanders appears as the most likely candidate to step up and perform well off the bench. The Fighting Irish unequivocally require a player of this sort, allowing a scenario depicting Sanders as an eventual favorite for Coach Brey to become increasingly visible.

Matt Zona – Power Forward

Joining the Fighting Irish this year as a three-star recruit, Matt Zona adds some depth behind Lasweski and Durham down low. Stretching out to 6’9 and with a 243-pound frame, Zona definitely wields the tools to necessary become an effective bench player, certain to see multiple playing opportunities come his way off the bench with fellow freshman big Elijah Taylor sidelined for the year while preparing to undergo ankle surgery next month.

Often relying on his size and strength, Zona might undergo some growing pains while acclimating to the game’s collegiate level, which remains something to keep an eye on. Likely to see the floor only if Durham falls victim to some foul trouble early on, not too much appears expected from Zona at least for this year.

Nikola Djogo – Point Guard

Having seen his minutes decrease with each passing year at Notre Dame, Nikola Djogo served essentially as a non-factor last season, barely playing at all and consequently averaging 0.6 points per game. But given the team’s depleted reserve stock, Djogo might find his way into the rotation as a redshirting senior, especially during the season’s early stages with Carmody unavailable.

If Djogo finds himself coming into relieve either Ryan or Hubb and shows some consistency, the crafty left-handed guard might finally earn Coach Brey’s trust, henceforth leading to further opportunities off the bench. If not though, expect to only see the Toronto native once more return to a role that sees him only take the floor during garbage time.