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Sunday, June 24
Updated: July 23, 4:58 PM ET
Team preview: Notre Dame Irish
ESPN.com
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The lowdown
2000-01 record: 20-10; 11-5 in Big East (1st in West)
Final Ranking: No. 23 ESPN/USA Today; No. 19 AP
Postseason: Lost to Mississippi 59-56 in second round of NCAA Tournament.
Three Questions for 2001-02
1. Troy Murphy's presence can't be replaced, but will the Irish at least find a go-to player? Ryan Humprhey flourished in Murphy's shadow, but how does he handle being the main man inside?
2. Chris Thomas should provide the consistency at the point, but he has to coexist with David Graves and Matt Carroll. The Irish need more scoring out of the point and probably a better defender.
3. Do the Irish have the perimeter quickness to hang with Georgetown and Syracuse? If Thomas is the answer then this problem might be solved defensively, too.
Three Key Facts
1. While the Irish lost all-everything Troy Murphy a year early to the NBA, the only senior that saw significant playing time last season was point guard Martin Ingelsby, which means plenty of experience returns. Chris Thomas, a talented point guard from Indianapolis, will take over at the point and the returning players around him will make things easier.
2. Seniors David Graves, Ryan Humphrey and Harold Swanagan have been named captains for the 2001-02 men's basketball season.
3. Mike Brey getting Notre Dame back to the NCAAs last season for the first time in a decade shouldn't have come as a surprise. The head coach had been to the tourney in two of the past three seasons with Delaware.
Andy Katz's Scenarios
Best case: The Irish don't fall too far and are still one of the top teams in the league and get a berth to the NCAA Tournament.
Worst case: The Irish slide down, miss the NCAA Tournament and are an NIT favorite again.
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Key Players Returning
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Player
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Yr.
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Pos.
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Ht./Wt.
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Comment
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Ryan Humphrey
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Sr.
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F
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6-8/233
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PTS: 14.1 | REB: 9.0 | AST: 1.4
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Matt Carroll
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Jr.
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G
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6-6/210
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PTS: 12.4 | REB: 5.0 | AST: 3.8
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David Graves
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Sr.
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F
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6-6/208
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PTS: 13.8 | REB: 4.7 | AST: 2.3
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Key Losses
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Player
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Pos.
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Ht./Wt.
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Comment
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Troy Murphy
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F
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6-11/245
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PTS: 21.8 | REB: 9.2 | AST: 2.1
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Martin Ingelsby
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G
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6-0/175
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PTS: 8.2 | REB: 2.8 | AST: 6.4
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Notre Dame Signings
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Player
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Pos.
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Ht.
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High School/College
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Jordan Cornette
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F
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6-9
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Cincinnati/St. Xavier (Ohio)
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Chris Thomas
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G
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6-1
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Indianapolis/Pike (Ind.)
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