We continue our recruit and return series with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, whose season ended Saturday with a loss to West Virginia in the West Region. Here's a look at what the 2017-18 season could hold:
Possible 2017-18 starting five
G: Matt Farrell
G: Temple Gibbs
G: Rex Pflueger
Who is lost: V.J. Beachem and Steve Vasturia are both classic Notre Dame stories. Beachem averaged 2.4 points as a freshman and ended his career as a legitimate pro prospect and one of the best scorers in the ACC. Vasturia was strictly a shooter when he arrived in South Bend, but he developed into a terrific defender and passer from the wing. Losing those two four-year players won’t be easy for coach Mike Brey, as both have been mainstays in the starting lineup for a few years now.
Who is added: Notre Dame has only one incoming player, but he’s a good one. ESPN 100 wing D.J. Harvey Jr. was considered one of the elite players at his position early in his high school career, but he fell back to the pack a little bit as his high school years progressed. That said, he was a tremendous pickup for the Fighting Irish. Harvey brings size and length to the wing and is very good in transition. He has played against high-level competition on both the high school and AAU circuits and should be ready to make an immediate impact as a freshman. Skilled prospect Nikola Djogo redshirted this season.
What it means for next season: Colson, one of the more unique and productive players in college basketball, leads the returnees. Despite standing just 6-foot-5, Colson is a dominant inside presence and has continued to improve his perimeter game. Farrell took huge steps forward as a sophomore and will once again run the point. The key will be replacing Beachem and Vasturia's production from the wing. Harvey should help, as will guards Temple Gibbs and Rex Pflueger. Gibbs played a key role off the bench and could move into the starting lineup as a second ball-handler. Pflueger made his biggest impact as a perimeter threat and defender. Brey will also hope for some sort of inside production from one of his big men, including Martinas Geben.
Trending: Level. Brey’s teams seem to win 20-25 games and then advance in the NCAA tournament, no matter the personnel. Losing Beachem and Vasturia is huge, but with Harvey coming into the fold and Colson returning, the Irish should be fine.