Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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steals this season, including the Jan. 28 tilt at Purcell Pavilion. While Notre Dame did defeat the Blue Devils at home in its ACC debut a year ago, it will be difficult to repeat the victory in 2014‑15. Duke is once again a popular pick to win the conference and contend for a national championship. As for the other steal, at North Carolina, Notre Dame almost pulled of an upset in the regular‑season finale in Chapel Hill last season but fell just short. The Tar Heels were voted No. 2 in the preseason ACC media poll. SEASON SUMMARY Last year, the storyline was whether the Irish could transition to a new con‑ ference and immediately reach the NCAA Tournament. With the loss of Grant to an academic suspension and the transfer of forward Cam Bieds‑ cheid, Notre Dame endured hit after hit last season. The key to Notre Dame's 2014‑15 suc‑ cess will be sophomore point guard Demetrius Jackson and junior forward Zach Auguste. Both disappointed a year ago, but now they're in the start‑ ing lineup and must produce. Brey's squad will use a four‑guard lineup, which makes Auguste's production on defense and the boards that much more vital. Count Sports Illustrated among those that think Jackson and Auguste are up to the challenge. In it's college hoops preview, SI projected the Irish to make the NCAA field as a No. 9 seed. We project Notre Dame to finish 17‑2 in "Must Haves," 4‑5 in "Bubble Games" and 1‑2 in its "Steals" for a 22‑9 season and a return to the NCAA Tournament. ✦ BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED • P.O. BOx 2331 • DURhAm, NC 27702 1-800-421-7751 • www.BlueGoldOnline.com 2014 ND WIN OVER U-M PANORAMIC PRINT Notre Dame Win Over Michigan • Sept. 6, 2014 at ND Stadium Availabled Unframed for $30 ea. + $12 S&H. Standard framed (pictured above) — $89 ea. + $16 S&H Deluxe framed — $199 ea. + FREE S&H Prints are dropshipped direct from the manufacturer. NEW!