Zachary Lyon:
Future150 Regional Analyst. Covering high and middle school basketball: NC, SC & VA
South Bend, IN (Future150) -- The Big Dance is finally here and while everyone would like to cut down the nets, there can only be one champion. That being said, there is always the chance that the next season could be better than the last. With that in mind, Future150 would like to introduce "The Next Step", a segment dedicated to breaking down each program's recruiting class as they bow out of the tournament; because theres' always next season.
After getting blown out by UNC the last time they played them, Notre Dame fought hard for a spot in the Final Four but fell short against the Tarheels. The Irish had a nice tourney run, but what's the next step for Mike Brey and his club?
The only major production the Irish are losing to graduation is big man Zach Auguste who averaged a double-double with roughly 14 points, and 11 rebounds per game.
The biggest thing to watch is to see if elite PG Demetrius Jackson will return for his senior season, or forgo his final year and enter the NBA Draft where he could end up being a late first or early second round pick.
Now let's introduce the freshman class headed to South Bend next season. Mike Brey pulled in a three man class consisting of PG Temple Gibbs, SG Nikola Djogo, and PF John Mooney.
Gibbs could easily be the star of this class, his younger brothers Sterling and Ashton knew a thing or two about playing college basketball as well. Temple is a strong bodied lead guard that can score from all three levels. His on-ball defense is nothing short of tough. This could be the second coming of Jerian Grant for the Irish.
The next member of this class also comes in the backcourt with Nikola Djogo. Djogo is a very tall two guard (6'7) out Toronto, Canada. His size alone would give him some nice minutes as a freshman, but once you throw in his athleticism and ability to shoot the ball from deep, he could see some big time minutes off the bench as a freshman.
Looking into the frontcourt, four man John Mooney out of Orlando, Florida could be the most important piece of this class. Replacing the production and hard work of a high energy/motor player like Zach Auguste will be no easy task. Obviously the Irish will have Bonzie Colson, but after him they have unproven guys like Martin Geben and Austin Torres. Look for the smooth shooting, big rebounding forward to be very vital for Notre Dame to have any frontcourt success next season.
If Demetrius Jackson comes back the Irish will have a very dangerous team that will also still have V.J. Beachem and Steve Vasturia. Either way, don't doubt Notre Dame's talent and abilties to score the ball at will next season.
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