Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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MEN'S BASKETBALL BY JORDAN WELLS T here is no mystery who will lead Mike Brey's Fighting Irish team in 2015-16. That distinction goes to ju- nior point guard Demetrius Jackson, who takes the torch from former Notre Dame stars Jerian Grant and Pat Con- naughton. That duo helped lead Notre Dame to a 32-6 overall record, the ACC Tournament title and a berth in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament last season before departing for the NBA. Jackson, for one, appreciates what Grant and Connaughton did for the program. "They're two of the best leaders and two of the best people I know to come through Notre Dame," Jackson said. "I'm just happy I could play with them before, and I'm looking forward to playing with this group this year. "I'm just trying to lead my team; giv- ing guys direction. And also being ag- gressive every single play; I need to create for others and myself. They've really talked to me about taking those little short shots when I get in the lane, which last year I would have usually passed up. So it's just being more ag- gressive. "We definitely want to be ACC cham- pions again; that's the first step. Then when March comes around, we want to be playing our best basketball. We just want to get better throughout the whole year and then March be playing our best like last year. Just learn from our successes and get better." Along with senior forwards Zach Au- VOICE OF THE TEAM Junior Point Guard Demetrius Jackson Is Ready To Lead Jackson was named a team captain and also earned a spot on the preseason All-ACC team. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME MEDIA RELATIONS