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2007 Notre Dame Basketball Predictions & Season Preview

Notre Dame put three straight NIT trips to rest with a 24-8 campaign last season to advance to the Big Dance. Find out if the Irish can make it back to the NCAA Tourney in our 2007 Notre Dame Fighting Irish predictions and season preview.

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Much of Notre Dame’s success in the 2006-07 season had to do with a perfect 18-0 mark at home. We can expect continued home court success and another tourney berth this year.

The loss of Colin Falls, the Big East’s All-time leading 3-point shooter will hurt. Losing Russell Carter deals them another blow. However, the Irish return eight key players including guard Kyle McAlarney, who will be anxious to get back on the court after missing all of conference play last year due to marijuana charges.

Senior captain Rob Kurz will head up the frontcourt. The 6’9’’ forward is a brawler down low. Luke Harangody is his bash brother down low. Junior forward Zach Hillesland is Notre Dame’s smooth operator down low. Expect his points per game average to double this season as he gets more minutes. Luke Zeller gives the Irish a big with 3-point range to create matchup problems. At 6’11’’, Zeller is the tallest player on Notre Dame’s roster, so naturally head coach Mike Brey wants him to be a little bit more of a banger.

McAlarney’s suspension may have turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Troy Jackson stepped up as a freshman in his absence and led the Irish to 11 conference wins. His shooting needs work, but he proved to be great at getting into the heart of the defense. McAlarney, on the other hand, can stroke it from three. Expect to see him off the ball more with Jackson penetrating to free him for jumpers. Ryan Ayers can play in the backcourt or the frontcourt and Brey figures to use him in both places depending if he wants to go big or small with his lineup. He uses his length well on defense and is another guy who can knock down threes.

Next year, I think the Irish have a shot at the Big East title, this season, they should be happy with 10 wins in conference play as the 11 they won last year was slightly an overachievement. Experience is a vital weapon in college hoops and that is something that Notre Dame will have on many teams. The Irish will get to the Dance, but we have them chalked up for a one and done.