Local college hoops 2016-17 preview: Notre Dame

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2015-16 results: The Fighting Irish continued its recent success by advancing to the Elite Eight for the second consecutive season as they finished 24-12 with an 11-7 mark in the ACC. With five double-figure scorers, Notre Dame had one of the best and most balanced offenses in the country last season.

Players to watch: Many are expecting a big senior from senior wing V.J. Beachem as he put up 12.0 points and 3.9 rebounds per game while shooting 44 percent from three-point range. Senior Steve Vasturia is also back at guard after putting up 11.4 points and 3.2 assists per game. Junior Bonzie Colson is also returning after a breakout sophomore campaign in which he put up 11.1 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.

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Key storylines: Finding a way to replace guard Demetrius Jackson and center Zach Auguste is going to be key but head coach Mike Brey can lean on a likely starting lineup that includes two seniors and three juniors. Moving the ball and getting steady guard play seems manageable but Auguste was a key on both ends of the floor for Notre Dame. The team also has to manage a brutal ACC conference that could have double-digit NCAA tournament teams this year. 

Newcomers to track: The Irish get three true freshmen and one redshirt freshman on the roster this season. Guard Temple Gibbs, the younger brother of former Seton Hall and UConn star Sterling Gibbs, joins the backcourt while Canadian Nikola Djogo could surprise. Redshirt freshman Elijah Burns and forward John Mooney could help the frontcourt depth.

Season outlook: It would be a lot to ask Notre Dame to make the Elite Eight for the third consecutive season but the new expectations for this program is to fight for the Final Four. As long as Notre Dame can navigate the ACC and get a decent seed in the NCAA tournament, they'll be as battle-tested as any team in the country and their offense could be tough to stop in the tournament.

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