Blue and Gold Illustrated

Preseason 2017

Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football

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88 PRESEASON 2017 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED MEN'S BASKETBALL BY COREY BODDEN I t was an easy decision for Notre Dame forward Bonzie Colson to re- turn for his final year in South Bend. The 6-6, 225-pounder explored the possibility of leaving early and going pro, but there wasn't a doubt in his mind what he would do no matter what feedback came back from NBA teams. "I wanted to come back for my fourth year regardless of what hap- pened," Colson explained this sum- mer. "That's something I discussed with Coach [Mike] Brey and my fam- ily. Knowing that I wanted to come back and get my degree. "That's why I came here and that's always been a dream of mine: to get a degree, especially from Notre Dame. Ownership of that and knowing I have a lot to do on improvements in my game as well to maybe get to the next level." Expectations will be high for Col- son, who was named Associated Press third-team All-American af- ter averaging 17.8 points and 10.1 rebounds per game last season. He figures to be a top contender for the ACC Player of the Year award this season. "He's in unbelievable shape, 226 pounds, it's all lean muscle, he's in the best shape of his life," Brey said of Colson. "I don't want him out- thinking himself. We've got to know when to get him post touches, when to stretch him out. When he plays his 30-plus minutes, the warrior stuff just takes over, and he just makes plays. "For him, he's got to take those open 15- to 18-footers instead of turn- ing them down. We feel really good about his face-up jump shot. Even his three-point shot now is becoming part of the arsenal. My biggest thing is we want to keep him rested and keep him fresh and turn him loose as a warrior three nights a week. Usu- ally the results are pretty good." Colson stayed steady all year last season and scored at least 13 points in 30 of 36 games while recording double-doubles in 19. His goal is to improve on that. "Just trying to be more consistent and efficient," Colson said of his game. "Try to lead by example. Post- ing up, shooting it and defending better. I'm definitely trying to be a better defender guarding more po- sitions, talking some more charges here and there. Just sharpening my game as best I can." Despite the graduation of Steve Vasturia and V.J. Beachem, Colson is confident in the Irish heading into the 2017-18 campaign. "We have a lot of guys who are ready to buy in to the process," he stated. "We always lose guys each year, but everybody is ready to make that next step. A lot of guys are hun- gry and motivated to play. I think that's something that is great for us in practices is our competitiveness, everyone is battling and pushing and shoving. That's something that makes our team different … Colson tested the NBA waters after averaging 17.8 points and 10.1 rebounds per game last season, but knew he wanted one more year in South Bend to get his degree and improve his game. PHOTO BY JOE RAYMOND Bonzie Colson's NBA Dream Is On Hold For Notre Dame Dreams

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