There are many things Notre Dame underclassmen still have to learn about succeeding at the college level.
“There’s definitely a lot of positives in having such a young team,” said senior shooting guard Colin Falls, one of only three scholarship upperclassmen on the roster. “They really don’t know any better. They’re fearless, but at the same time they really need a lot of direction.”
So “first and foremost” on Falls’ personal checklist for the 2006-07 season “is just being a leader,” he said.
And as a leader, there is one thing Falls stresses to his younger brethren–the singular goal for this season is for the Irish to reclaim a spot in the NCAA tournament.
Notre Dame made the tournament in each of Mike Brey’s first three years as coach, reaching the Sweet 16 in 2003. But in the last three years the Irish have been absent, meaning Falls and fellow senior guard Russell Carter have never played in the field of 65.
“Your credibility as a program is when you can get to that thing pretty regularly,” Brey said. “We’re honored that we were able to get to the postseason [in the NIT] the last three years, but we strive to be an NCAA tournament team.”
Last season the top eight teams in the 16-team Big East earned NCAA tournament spots. The Irish head into this season picked to finish 11th in the conference. And though exceeding that expectation won’t be easy, there is room for movement because 18 of the 22 players who were all-league selections last season are no longer in the conference.
If the Irish are to take advantage of that, they will have to find a way to win close games. In going 16-14 last season, Notre Dame lost five consecutive Big East games by three points or less, two in overtime. And the Irish didn’t lose any conference game by more than eight points.
Among the keys will be the play of sophomore point guard Kyle McAlarney, who will be expected to run the offense after a year apprenticing behind four-year starter Chris Quinn.
“Kyle was in the battles last year,” Brey said. “While he wasn’t quarterbacking the team as much, he was in the big games and made big plays.
“Handing him the ball is not an anxious moment. He has taken over real well and he has improved defensively. He has taken more pride on the defensive end of the floor.”
That is true of the entire team, Falls maintains.
“Just with the makeup of our team, we’re going to be a better defensive team than last year,” he said.
Can the Irish be better offensively?
Falls, an outstanding shooter, averaged better than 14 points per game last season and Carter saw his scoring climb during conference play from 11.5 ppg overall, to better than 13 in Big East play.
Meanwhile, junior forward Rob Kurz’s role is likely to expand significantly. Kurz averaged 5.1 rebounds despite playing just 21 minutes per game last season.
“What he brings is the willingness to do the dirty work, unselfishness,” Brey said. “But we don’t want him to be too unselfish.”
Added Falls: “He could be the best shooter on the team.”
Sophomore forward Luke Zeller is likely to join Kurz, Falls, Carter and McAlarney in the starting five, at least early in the season. Freshmen Luke Harangody and Tory Jackson likely will see significant playing time too.
And the goal, for rookie and veteran alike, is simple.
“It’s either win or bust,” Falls said. “If we get to the NCAA tournament, it’d be a successful season. If we don’t, it won’t cut it.”
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apatel@tribune.com
