VJ Beachem slams the ball in last season against NC State. Beachem is one of the five presumed starters for the 2016-17 season. Stephanie Sokol/The Pit
After losing four players to the NBA the past two seasons and back-to-back Elite Eight appearances, the question on everyone’s mind is, how good will Notre Dame be this year?
While three freshman join the Irish for the 2016-17 season, the group remains a veteran one with experience winning big games. This echoes Head Coach Mike Brey’s theme of “get old and stay old.”
“We just lost four guys to the NBA in two years, ” Brey told the press last week at media day. “That’s a major drain on your talent. But, we still have a lot of guys back that have won together and won at a high level.”
Chemistry is one of the big issues for Notre Dame this season in a very deep ACC field. Two years ago, Brey mentioned that everything fell into place for the Irish while last year, they were mixing and matching pieces into late February.
“I don’t know because we are still old, so there’s some stability there,” Brey said. “I’m very much a live day-to-day guy so we should have a better feel on that around Christmas.”
After the graduation of Zach Auguste and early departure of Demetrius Jackson last year, holes were created that look to be filled by Martin Gebben and Matt Ferrell.
Ferrell is often seen as a quieter guy with great thoughts but isn’t vocal enough. Brey said he told Ferrell “you’re our guy. We don’t want any indecision.”
“Now as the main handler he has to call stuff. It’s not Demetrius out there with him calling stuff.”
Ferrell told The Pit that his voice is something he is working on every day.
“The big thing with coach is I have to be more vocal,” he said. “Whether it’s on the court or off, it’s talking to these guys, where are they at, what are they doing? And I think I am getting better at that.”
One area of concern for the Irish is Ferrell’s shooting decisions. Brey mentioned in practice that sometimes Ferrell will kick the ball to a lesser threat instead of taking a shot himself.
“I’ve got to be more aggressive. They keep telling me to take more open shots and if I am in a lane, I have to score,” he said.
Mike Brey also confirmed that Martin Gebben was close to transferring after last season due to frustration with playing behind Zach Auguste for two years. The Irish coach said he sat Gebben down and told him he’s the Irish big guy and it’s his time.
“I think I’ve shown coach Brey I can play at that level and do the things that he wants me to do for the team to be successful,” Gebben said.
Notre Dame opens with exhibition play Tuesday, November 1 against Mercy. According to Brey, it looks as if Steve Vasturia, VJ Beachem, Bonzie Colson, Matt Ferrell and Martin Gebben will earn the starting roles to start the year.
That game is slated for a 7 p.m. EST tip-off.
