13 Notre Dame

Spring break came early for the Fighting Irish this season. In October coach Mike Brey took the team to Barbados for a week of sun and—oh, yeah—three exhibition games. There were 8 a.m. practices followed by film sessions in Brey's room, and everyone had to be off the beach by 3 p.m. on game days, but the tropical getaway was more about bonding than basketball. Brey called the trip his players' reward for being the only Big East team to reach the NCAA tournament each of the last three seasons. "We spent a lot of time relaxing by the pool," says junior point guard Chris Thomas. "Coach really made sure we had a great time."

Thomas's presence undoubtedly made the trip relaxing for Brey as well. After averaging 18.7 points and leading the Big East in assists (6.9) for the second consecutive year, the 6'1" Thomas flirted with the NBA draft last spring. He worked out for several NBA teams but when it became clear that he wouldn't be a first-round pick, Thomas returned to Notre Dame.

Thomas is a dynamic scorer and a playmaker with extraordinary court vision, but he came away from the NBA workouts knowing that he needs to make better decisions and play efficiently rather than spectacularly. Says Thomas, "The things that I will need to get to the next level are the same things it will take to lead this team to the promised land."

With Thomas, sophomore Chris Quinn and senior Torrian Jones, the Irish have one of the country's deepest backcourts, despite the graduation of last year's leading scorer Matt Carroll (19-5). That threesome will be counted on for most of the scoring, though sophomore power forward Torin Francis could have a big season. The 6'10" Francis started every game as a freshman and averaged 11.1 points and 8.4 rebounds to earn a spot on the Big East All-Rookie team. He was even better last March, averaging 17.7 points and 12.7 rebounds in leading the Irish to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1987.

If Thomas and Francis are on their games, the Irish will be on the road again in March.

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