Notre Dame Ready To Redeem Themselves In The ACC

Most Notre Dame fans would like to believe last year didn’t happen. The inaugural year in the ACC is actually this year. But unfortunately it’s not the case. But the Irish will have every chance to make amends for a season that just wasn’t typical for a Mike Brey team.

The Irish finished 6-12 in the conference, 15-17 overall. Brey, who normally likes to use an uptempo offense, just didn’t have that option. The ACC never even got a glimpse of Jerian Grant, who was ruled out due to an academic violation before the conference schedule even began. The Irish did however beat a highly ranked Duke Blue Devils team, for which Brey was an assistant under Mike Krzyzewski at. But that was one of very few bright spots in conference play for Notre Dame.

The ACC is about to get a dose of the real Notre Dame this season.

Grant and Demetrius Jackson make up one of, if not the best backcourts in the country. Add in Pat Connaughton and Steve Vasturia, as the irish tend to use a four guard lineup, and the Irish become a very difficult team to guard. with Zach Auguste in the middle, the Irish have inside presence, but an ability to run the floor.

Last season, the Irish turned to an inside game, with Garrick Sherman becoming a focal point of the offense. Sherman had a solid senior season, but playing that style and tempo of basketball isn’t what Brey wants to run. Now with undoubtedly his deepest team in recent years, the Irish look to make a statement in the ACC.

With a 20-point victory over Florida State, the Irish already have gotten a little taste of conference play. But in January, they will find themselves square in the competition of the ACC. Matchups against No. 2 Duke and No. 3 Virginia in South Bend, and a trip to No. 19 North Carolina, the Irish will be tested right away.