BIG EAST RECRUITING UPDATE: NOTRE DAME

VERBAL COMMITMENT ALERT: Jonathan Peoples (G), St, Joseph (Ill).

The Chicago Sun-Times had an article on Peoples' commitment to Notre Dame: St Joseph Star Peoples Picks ND and the South Bend Tribune also has the story on the commitment: Brey Adds Guard to 2006 Class.

Projected 2006-2007 Roster
Seniors: Colin Falls (WG), Russell Carter (SG)
Juniors: Robert Kurz (F)
Sophomores: Randy Ayers (F/G), Kyle McAlarney (G), Zack Hillesland (F), Luke Zeller (BF/C)
Freshmen: Luke Harangody (BF), Tory Jackson (PG), Jonathan Peoples (G)

Link to previous Notre Dame recruiting report: http://bebballreportnd.blogspot.com/2005/09/notre-dame-recruiting-update.htmlsept 21 report, July 21 Report.

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What the Irish have been lacking this season is athleticism on the perimeter and physical play underneath. In the Big East, missing those ingredients is what will get you a 1-6 mark in this conference. So far on the recruiting trail, Mike Brey and his Irish staff seem to be making progress in helpin cure those ills in the Irish program.

After spending the weekend taking in another close Irish loss as Notre Dame fell to Villanova in the final seconds on Saturday night, Jonathan Peoples of the fames St Joseph in Chicago, IL decided Notre Dame was where he wanted to play his college basketball.

Peoples is a 6'3 guard that is athletic and strong enough to play as a wing guard in 3-guard sets. He is quick and explosive, so creating his own offense in the open floor is a strength and he has the physical make-up to defend the perimeter, something that continues to bite Notre Dame when they need crucial stops late in the game. He joins ultra-quick PG Tory Jackson of Saginaw, MI and bruising PF Luke Harangody of Andrean, IN as the three members of the Irish recruiting class that will look to replace seniors Chris Quinn, Torin Francis and Rick Cornett.

The Irish still have three open scholarships available after the commitment by Peoples. With the open scholarships I still look for the Irish to continue to add athletic ability on the wing and in the post. Notre Dame is also a popular destination for transfers, but not for JUCO transfers, so it will be interesting to see what comes available later in the spring. The available talent is pretty thoroughly picked over and the Irish still have some holes to fill, but the 2006 class does seem to mix well with what Brey and the Irish landed in 2005. I would like to see one more impact post player that can battle at the rim in the Big East, but that is going to have to come in 2007 with what is available at this point.