Notre Dame 2007 NCAA Tournament Capsule

Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Big East (24-7, 11-5)

Seed: #6 - Midwest Region

Big Wins: 12/3 at Maryland (81-74), 1/27 Louisville (66-63), Marquette (85-73)

Bad Losses: 1/23 at St. John’s (68-71), 2/3 at South Florida (63-69), 2/8 at DePaul (66-67)

Last NCAA Appearance: 2003, Sweet Sixteen loss to Arizona

Coach: Mike Brey (4-5 in 5 NCAA appearances)

Probable Notre Dame Starters:

• Tory Jackson, Freshman, Guard, 7.7 ppg, 4.4 apg, 1.8 spg

• Colin Falls, Senior, Guard, 15.4 ppg, 2.4 apg

• Russell Carter, Senior, Guard, 17.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg

• Rob Kurz, Junior, Forward, 12.6 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.5 bpg

• Luke Harangody, Freshman, Forward, 11.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg

Key Roleplayers for Notre Dame:

• Ryan Ayers, Sophomore, Guard, 2.9 ppg, 1.3 rpg

• Zach Hillesland, Sophomore, Forward, 5.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg

• Luke Zeller, Sophomore, Forward, 3.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg

Why They Can Surprise:
Russell Carter and Colin Falls are a couple great three-point shooters and they combine to knock down over six a game.Carter is a more dynamic player and will get to the basket and help on the glass. Falls is a catch-and-shoot long ball type and rarely takes a shot from inside the arc.

The overall defense is not anything spectacular, but the Irish will steal an average of 8.4 balls per game. Carter and Falls will get some steals here and there, but it is point guard Tory Jackson who is the main pest on the defensive end.

Why Notre Dame Can Disappoint:
Rob Kurz has developed into a solid post presence, averaging 12.6 points and 7.9 rebounds per contest. However, after Kurz, the forwards have been inconsistent. Freshman Luke Harangody has seven double-doubles on the season and will be the main man for the Irish under the basket sooner than later, but for now the 6-8, 250 pounder makes too many freshman mistakes. Luke Zeller was supposed to be the answer, yet the sophomore has not become the force Notre Dame had hoped for. Zach Hillesland is a decent scorer and rebounder and at least can provide some hard work off the bench.

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Who To Watch:
Jackson took over the starting point guard duties after Kyle McAlarney was dismissed from the team. He only shoots 22.0% from behind the arc and 65.0% from the free-throw line, but the freshman can get the ball to his teammates and create shots for himself. He was a great scorer in high school and has the ability to put up some big numbers if Notre Dame needs him to do so. Jackson is still coming into his own as the floor leader and every game gives him more experience.

By the Numbers:

Scoring Offense: 81.5 (8th in nation, 1st in conference)

Scoring Defense: 67.8 (150, 14)

Field-Goal Percentage: 46.1 (78, 4)

Field-Goal Defense: 41.6 (76, 9)

Free-Throw Percentage: 75.1 (18, 3)

Rebound Margin: 4.4 (48, 4)

Assists Per Game: 17.5 (9, 1)

Turnovers Per Game: 12.9 (64, 8)

Joel’s Bracket Says: First Round loss to Winthrop

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