Junior Notre Dame Guard Rex Pflueger In Line For Expanded Role
Notre Dame will replace two of its top four scorers from a season ago in V.J. Beachem (14.5 PPG) and Steve Vasturia (13.1), who combined for 35.7 percent of the team’s scoring production.
Two new faces join the program this year in freshman guard/forward D.J. Harvey and big man transfer Juwan Durham. Only Harvey will be able to suit up for the Irish in the 2017-2018 season, meaning returning players will be relied upon to replace most of the production left by Beachem and Vasturia.
Enter junior guard Rex Pflueger. The 6-foot-6, 202-pounder made 11 starts last season in 35 games, averaging 4.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists per contest in 21.4 minutes of action.
The Irish are hoping Pflueger can make the ‘junior year jump’ like others have in the past, such as Jack Cooley, Zach Auguste and Tim Abromaitis, among others, who all improved their scoring by six points or more in their third year with the Irish.
“It’s time for me to be more aggressive,” Pflueger said following a recent workout. “It’s time for me to take that role. Steve and VJ were great sources of scoring for us. I know I can help fulfill that role equally well. I feel like I can do a little bit of everything: driving and shooting. I want to be a playmaker as well and work off ball screens. All in all, I want to be able to contribute to the team in whatever aspect it is on offense.
“I do feel that honestly right now. They’ve been two great years, but obviously I haven’t performed to the way I want to. This year I think is my year to hit the light bulb, as [Coach Brey] says.”
With a new role approaching within the offense, Pflueger is also ensuring he steps up his game in another department.
“I definitely believe I’m going to be a voice for our team this year,” Pflueger explained. “I have two years under my belt and been through the fire a little bit with our team. I’m excited to be out there and be another voice for us.
“With the younger guys coming in, it’s great because I love the process of teaching people. I’ve been through the same situations they have and I want to be a voice of reason for them to help keep them calm and confident.”
Bonzie Colson and Matt Farrell will be expected to lead the Irish offensively, but the third scorer is still a question mark. Mike Brey has his eyes on multiple players, including Pflueger.
“It’s a T.J. Gibbs, Rex Pflueger kind of thing,” Brey said. “Both of those guys are going to play more minutes and I think when they do they will score for us. And then you look at what does D.J. Harvey do as a young guy, because he has ability to score. What does a John Mooney do? Can Martin Geben do a little more of that?
“I think it starts with Rex and T.J. because their opportunities are going to increase with V.J. and Steve gone.”
All eyes especially will be on the Californian to see if he can become the next to ascend from role player to consistent offensive weapon.
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