This is a four-month stretch Notre Dame fans would like to forget. A roster that had the makings of another NCAA Tournament berth instead has turned in the program’s most disappointing season in recent memory. But despite setting a program record with 17 conference losses, there were a few bright spots. [autotag]JJ Starling[/autotag] was one of them, and he’s been rewarded with an ACC All-Freshman Team selection.
Starling’s selection marks the second consecutive season in which the Irish have had someone make the All-Freshman Team after [autotag]Blake Wesley[/autotag] did it a year ago. In 28 games, Starling has averaged 11.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists a game while shooting 42.1% from the field. He reached the 20-point mark three times, his best scoring game coming in a 23-point performance Nov. 22 against Bowling Green.
Starling’s honor comes when he’s nursing a bruised knee, and it appears he will miss the Irish’s ACC Tournament opener against Virginia Tech. If that’s the case, the only Irish player to receive any conference honor at all or even votes for any honor will be out. One can’t help but think how fitting that would be given everything that’s happened this season.
[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz1mmy7gev0xbr player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]
Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.
Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89