Mutka: Is ND least in the Big East?

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Eric Atkins

Updated: November 18, 2011 8:51AM

SOUTH BEND — Usually underrated, Notre Dame generally overachieves in Big East basketball, where beastly bangers take no prisoners.

Last year the Irish surprised their rugged rivals by seamlessly adjusting to the departure of former All-American Luke Harangody.

After going 27-7 (17-0 at home), they’re again being overlooked. Three reasons are obvious. Ben Hansborough, Tyrone Nash and Carleton Scott, who represented nearly 50 percent of the offense, leave a team searching for an identity.

Sophomore Eric Atkins, the heir apparent at point guard, understands the lack of hype, but begs to differ.

“We’re not being picked that high,” he admits, “but we weren’t last year either. We’re inexperienced to the public eye, but not in the program. We have a lot of weapons.”

Oozing confidence, the 6-1 sophomore considers himself part of that arsenal though he started just six games in his rookie season. He qualifies as the only returning reserve with significant minutes (25.4 average).

As Hansbrough’s understudy, he accumulated 110 assists, but needs to punch up his 5.8 scoring average.

“Coach and I had a conversation after last season about me stepping up,” says Atkins, who hails from Columbia, Md.

Being Hansborough’s understudy gave him an opportunity to watch and learn, but don’t expect Atkins to match the gabby guard’s

volume. In athleticism and personality they stand worlds apart.

“I’m not into the yelling part,” Atkins said. “but I need to be more aggressive. The scoring will come.”

Being a point guard forces him into a leadership role even though veterans Scott Martin and Tim Abromaitis have already been crowned co-captains. Mike Brey refers to the fifth-year seniors as “elder statesmen,” but Atkins must supplement their offensive skills. To prepare for combat he tacked on 10 pounds, bulking up to 182, but still defers to his 6-foot-8 teammates.

“Abro and Scott are going to carry a heavy load, scoring and rebounding,” he said, expecting rival defenses to focus on them.

Early in the season that may work to his advantage.

“People will probably be playing off me,” Atkins said. “That’s why I worked so much on my shot over the summer.”

Martin understands how important Atkins is to an NCAA bid. Having overcome numerous injuries to his knee and back, the 23-year-old from Valparaiso is encouraged by what he saw last season.

“He was very reliable and we expect big things from Eric.” Martin said. “For us to have a good season he’ll have to play a vital role.”

Jerian Grant, who hopes to join Atkins in the back court as the shooting guard, brings speed to the Irish, who only carry one

freshman (Pat Connaughton) despite their tender years.

“Eric and I have the ability to get up and down the floor,” Grant said. “Losing Carlton was a little bit of a surprise, but opened up some minutes.”

Abromaitis will sit out the first four games because of a misinterpretation of NCAA rules, but helped the USA team go 7-1 this summer in the  World University games. Their record was the best in the tournament, but an early loss to Lithuania dropped them to fifth place. Grant expects the graduate student to  break out in a season which begins with an exhibition against St. Xavier on Nov. 1. “He’ll be on top of the All-American lists,” Grant said. “Scotty’s had injuries throughout his career, but he and Abromaitis are very talented.”

Martin refers to himself as being much older and “hopefully wiser,” but is sometimes teased about his age.

“Every now and then we crack a joke because he’s been here so long,” Grant said.

Getting to Madison Square Garden is Notre Dame’s ultimate goal, but it’s tough to get a handle on the talent level because Jack Cooley is the only other holdover who logged double-figure minutes last year.

Losing Syracuse and Pittsburgh to the ACC may be a big hit, but playing in the Garden still adds to the fractured Big East’s sex appeal.

Do they have enough talent to keep from being mugged in league play? Doubtful. Under Brey the Irish have consistently exceeded expectations for the regular season, but continually disappointed in postseason play.

Critics blame his reluctance to develop a bench. Seldom using more than seven players in league games eventually invites burnout. Brey’s ultimate objective is to go deeper in the NCAA tournament, but it doesn’t seem realistic. Barring another surprise the Irish could rank among the Big East least.