Notre Dame 2010 Preview & Predictions

Notre Dame Fighting Irish Basketball 2010-2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks & Odds

With the College Basketball 2010-2011 Season just around the corner, we are providing season previews & predictions for all NCAA basketball teams to give you the betting edge this year. Follow the best College Basketball Handicappers as they analyze their teams in this 2010-2011 basketball season preview. Be sure to bookmark SportsbookBuzz.com your source for Sportsbook Reviews. Use our comprehensive and insider info to bet successfully on the College Basketball in our recommend online sportsbooks.View the rest of our 2010-2011 NCAA Basketball Season Previews here.

Notre Dame Preview Picks, & Odds.

Notre Dame 2009-2010 Record: 23-12 overall; 10-8 Big East (Tie/7th)

Notre Dame Coach: Mike Brey – At Notre Dame: 211-113, 10 years; overall: 310-165, 15 years

Notre Dame Players to Watch: Tim Abromaltis spent two years impressing no one until emerging as one of the nation’s biggest surprises last year. He’s now established as one of the Big East’s top shooters.

Notre Dame Key Losses: Luke Harangody, F, 6-8, 245 (21.8 ppg, 9.1 rpg); Tory Jackson, G, 5-11, 195 (9.6 ppg, 5.3 apg); Jonathan Peoples, G, 6-3, 215 (3.4 ppg)

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2010-2011 Notre Dame Season Preview

The worst thing that happened to Notre Dame last season – a knee injury suffered by All-American Luke Harangody in February that caused him to miss five games – may turn out to be the best thing for this year’s Irish. Afterthought Carleton Scott emerged during those games as a factor inside. And vastly improved forward Tim Abromaitis proved he could shoulder the scoring load in Harangody’s absence. So even though Harangody has taken his 2,476 points and 1,222 rebounds to the NBA, the void left by one of the most accomplished players in school history isn’t nearly as daunting as it could have been. That’s why many feel the bigger graduation loss for the Irish is point guard Tory Jackson, who played in a school-record 133 games. Freshman Eric Atkins is the only true point guard on the roster and in the Big East – where guard depth and talent is usually graded as “deep,” “deeper” and “deepest”that could be an issue.

Notre Dame Backcourt

How quickly Atkins adapts to the college game will determine how the starting backcourt shakes out. Returning senior starter Ben Hansbrough can play the point, but is probably better suited to the wing. The off-guard position also feeds into his strength – his versatility. Atkins averaged 16 points and 10 assists en route to being named the Baltimore Catholic League’s MVP, and will be given every chance to prove he deserves to start immediately even if the Irish opt to slow things down again with their “burn” offense. Perimeter help will mostly come from newcomers – and Abromaitis. Freshman Alex Dragicevich, a 6-6 guard with pointforward skills, arrives as an accomplished 3-point shooter and scorer. Classmate Jerian Grant, who has NBA bloodlines with his dad (Harvey) and uncle (Horace), was wellschooled at powerhouse DeMatha High School. He can also defend bigger guards.

Notre Dame Frontcourt

Abromaitis, who averaged 1.7 points as a freshman and redshirted as a sophomore, blossomed to 16.1 points per game while shooting 42.9 percent on 3-pointers last year. Just as impressive is that he averaged 23.8 points in the five games Harangody missed. Combined with the late-blooming Scott, and returning starter Tyrone Nash, an excellent low post defender, there’s reason to believe the Irish will be just fine up front. Scott averaged just 3.4 points and 3.5 rebounds the first 28 games before stepping up to averages of 10.8 points and 8.4 rebounds the final seven games. He gives Notre Dame a reliable post presence now. There’s plenty of supporting help, especially if burly Jack Cooley improves as a sophomore and if Scott Martin and Tom Knight can quickly shed the rust from time off. The 6-8 Martin, a transfer from Purdue, has missed two straight years – sitting out last season because of a torn ACL. The 6-9 Knight, a former Mr. Basketball from Maine, redshirted as a freshman last year.

2010-2011 Notre Dame Predictions

The post-Harangody era begins with promise if an answer can be found at point guard The Irish aren’t deep and have some question marks surrounding a couple of key players they are counting on, but Brey has delivered four straight 20-win seasons and three NCAA bids over that span. This team should accomplish both again.

Notre Dame Finish in the Big East: 6th

Notre Dame Betting Odds

Notre Dame Odds to Win 2010-2011 Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament: +20000
Notre Dame Odds to Win the Big East: +1000

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Notre Dame Basketball Handicapping Picks

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