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Notre Dame Basketball: It’s Juwan Durham’s time to shine

By Ben Belden

DUKE, NC - FEBRUARY 15: Juwan Durham #11 of the University of Notre Dame during a game between Notre Dame and Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 15, 2020 in Duke, North Carolina. (Photo by Andy Mead/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
DUKE, NC - FEBRUARY 15: Juwan Durham #11 of the University of Notre Dame during a game between Notre Dame and Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 15, 2020 in Duke, North Carolina. (Photo by Andy Mead/ISI Photos/Getty Images) /
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Gone is John Mooney from Notre Dame Basketball’s front court, but Juwan Durham is back for a graduate season in South Bend.

Notre Dame basketball is looking to fill the void left by three tremendous leaders in John Mooney, Rex Pflueger, and Temple Gibbs. Not only do the Irish lose three impressive basketball players, but they also lose the leadership that those three, in particular, added to a team that held it together through trying times for the basketball program.

It is no secret that the Irish basketball program has had some bad luck over the past few years. Injuries and close losses have weighed on the Irish program. Now it is time for the Irish to turn the page.

If the Irish are to do that, Juwan Durham needs to shine in his role for the Irish.

Last season, Durham played in 32 games for the Irish, averaging 7.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per game on 56.5% shooting from the field. He did so in just 17.5 minutes per game.

With the departure of Mooney, Durham figures to have an increased role for the Irish next season, as he will likely share frontcourt duties with Nate Laszewski and Chris Doherty. It goes without saying that Durham’s presence will be integral to what Notre Dame does on both ends of the floor.

If Durham can keep the same level of production, projected to 28 minutes per game, Durham could score 12.5 points per game, while also grabbing 7.36 rebounds per game. And that’s before considering that Durham figures to be more of a focal point in what Notre Dame hopes to do offensively and defensively next season.

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Whether Durham can keep up the efficiency he showed in the 2019-2020 season with a bigger workload remains to be seen. What can be said, though, is that he will have plenty of opportunity to showcase his skills. In an always-competitive Atlantic Coast Conference, the Irish will need Durham’s production and leadership.