Last year one of the question marks for Notre Dame was the point guard position and then-rising junior Matt Farrell taking over for NBA-bound Demetrius Jackson.

The 6-foot-1, 178-pound Farrell quieted any doubters early after a 20-point, 6-assist effort against Colorado and an 18-point, 6-assist follow-up versus Northwestern in the Legends Classic where he was named tournament MVP.

Farrell, who averaged 14.1 points and 5.4 assists last season, now forms a potent tandem with forward Bonzie Colson with expectations of continuing the program’s success even with the graduation of Steve Vasturia and V.J. Beachem.

“I’m going to play with an even bigger chip on my shoulder and play even harder,” Farrell said of the upcoming season. “We are going to work on leading, that’s each other or leading in our own ways. We want to instill this focus and mentality of when we are on the court it’s 100 percent focus on us and our team goals. That’s something we are going to look forward to."

Farrell made the ‘junior jump’ which is often associated with Mike Brey’s program going from 2.6 points per game as a junior to last season’s totals. Farrell believes it can happen again.

“Absolutely,” Farrell said when asked about making the jump in consecutive years. “I think you can make a jump every year. Constantly learning new things, new ways to get my own shot off or new ways to get into the lane and make plays. Absolutely. Trying to make an even [bigger] jump this year.”

One area of focus for Farrell is driving to the rim and putting the ball in the basket.

“Finishing at the rim better when I’m getting in there and finishing among the trees," Farrell explained. "That’s something I’ve been working on — and defense.”

With Vasturia and Beachem on the court last season, Farrell could be more of a facilitator and put his teammates in the best spot to succeed. Brey is looking for that again, but wants a more aggressive Farrell offensively.

“Nothing like having experience there,” Brey said. “He sets the tone, he’s a really confident guy. We just have to get him to hunt his shot early. I think he’s learning that he has to be a scoring option for us earlier in the shot clock.

“Last year with V.J. and Steve, maybe he could defer a little bit. But he’s got an open look, he’s got to take it. I’ve been really on him when he turns down shots.”

More eyes will be on Farrell this season with his move to the number two option offensively while balancing his duties as a facilitator.

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