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Notre Dame Basketball: Matt Farrell, Bonzie Colson Set to Lead Irish

By Noah Strackbein

Mar 9, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Matt Farrell (5) celebrates with forward V.J. Beachem (3) and forward Bonzie Colson (35) during the second half against the Virginia Cavaliers during the ACC Conference Tournament at Barclays Center. Notre Dame won 71-58. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Matt Farrell (5) celebrates with forward V.J. Beachem (3) and forward Bonzie Colson (35) during the second half against the Virginia Cavaliers during the ACC Conference Tournament at Barclays Center. Notre Dame won 71-58. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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Notre Dame basketball brings back their top two players of 2016-2017, Bonzie Colson and Matt Farrell for their senior seasons.

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After deciding to come back for his senior year, Bonzie Colson is ready to return as one of the best players in the NCAA. Alongside fellow senior, Matt Farrell, this Notre Dame team doesn’t need much else to be a serious ACC contender.

Even if the Irish lost Matt Ryan, who looked to be a strong offensive part of this team next season, they return three starters and some very reliable bench players. Starting with Colson, Farrell, and junior, Rex Pflueger, Notre Dame’s starting five will already feature three proven studs.

Temple Gibbs will likely fill one of the two remaining starting spots. Depending on how much Martinas Geben improves over the offseason, he should have first dibs at the last open position.

The way Geben has played in his first three seasons he isn’t a likely candidate to earn to job. His 3.1 points and 3.4 rebounds per contest in 2016-2017 was a career high. Not great productivity for someone looking to start next season.

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Incoming freshman, DJ Harvey, could be a strong contender for the final spot depending on head coach Mike Brey’s plan. If he decides to keep the lineup small ball like he did at the end of last season, Harvey may be the guy he’s looking for. He’s extremely athletic, can play any backcourt position and has incredible scoring ability.

Either way, Notre Dame’s success will come directly through Colson and Farrell. If they continue to be as hot as they were last season, the Fighting Irish quickly become an ACC favorite. Seeing how well they played during their first chance as leaders, it’s safe to say they’ll come back even more ready in 2017-2018.

ESPN put Notre Dame at No. 18 in their Way-Too-Early Top 25. Considering they started unranked last year, the Irish have a decent shot at climbing into the top 10 early in the season. Colson will probably begin the year as a Naismith Award Watchlist player after finishing in the top 20 last year.

While Farrell hasn’t been awarded anything just yet, he still shined last season. Combined with Colson and the rest of their returning team, Farrell will have weapons to be one of the best leaders in college basketball.

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Colson set it up when he decided to return. Now, Notre Dame waits for the season to begin and their dominance to start. Behind their two favorite seniors, the Fighting Irish are ready to roll through the ACC and college basketball in 2017-2018.