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Notre Dame Basketball: Bonzie Colson, Grayson Allen Could Mean ACC Title Rematch

By Noah Strackbein

Mar 11, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Grayson Allen (3) drives around Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Bonzie Colson (35) during the second half of the ACC Conference Tournament final at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Grayson Allen (3) drives around Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Bonzie Colson (35) during the second half of the ACC Conference Tournament final at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Duke joined Notre Dame basketball as the ACC schools bringing back fifth-year seniors.

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After deciding to return for his senior season, Bonzie Colson was set to be one of the best returning players in the ACC. His 17.8 points and 10.1 rebounds per game in 2016-2017 earned him First-Time All-ACC and Third-Team All-American. Despite Notre Dame’s early exit in the 2017 NCAA Tournament, Colson led the Irish to one of the most impressive seasons in years.

Alongside Matt Farrell, Colson was looking to lead Notre Dame to an even better season in 2017-2018. After losing to Duke in the 2017 ACC Championship, the Fighting Irish will be hunting for the title and more next season.

Colson won’t be the only returning senior to keep an eye on, though. After a 14.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists per contest season, Grayson Allen decided his time at Duke isn’t over yet. Despite contemplating the NBA Draft, Allen decided to return for his final season in hopes of winning his second NCAA Championship.

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Now, Allen and Colson will be the hottest names in the ACC. On two teams many will predict to be the top two in the conference, everyone in the NCAA will watch Colson and Allen. How well both of them perform will be a direct indication of their team’s success. Looking back at their play over the last three years, it’s expected that the returning ACC seniors should be two of the best in college basketball.

As the top two teams in the ACC during the tournament last season, Notre Dame and Duke should already come back as favorites in the conference. With their returning players, there shouldn’t be much competition keeping them away from each other in another ACC Championship.

These are going to the two most exciting players in the conference. Yes, the ACC always features some of the top incoming freshmen. But Colson and Allen have stolen the show in years past and next year will be no different.

Expect them to lead the ACC in one statistic or another, be the top two teams in the conference by the end of the regular season, and two of the best teams in the tournament. With the talent already around them, you’re basically putting two of the best NCAA players in years on NCAA Championship rosters.

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Notre Dame and Duke should meet in the ACC Title Game again thanks to these two. As two of the most exciting names next year. Colson and Allen are looking to be some of the best their teams’ have ever seen.