Ben Hansbrough has taken his swagger, dribbling skills and floor-burn approach overseas. Tyrone Nash and Carleton Scott are also no longer wearing the Notre Dame uniform.
After a 27-7 season, an unbeaten record at home, two wins over eventual national champion Connecticut, a 14-4 mark in the Big East and a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament, the Irish must adjust to the loss of three of its starters from a year ago.
Hansbrough was more than the leading scorer and quarterback on the floor. He wasn't afraid to express his opinions, even in the huddles.
''There will never be another one of those guys. God, I miss him,'' said Mike Brey, the AP Coach of the Year a season ago.
The return of Tim Abromaitis, who's already earned an MBA at Notre Dame, and Scott Martin - both starters last season - and guard Eric Atkins, who was often the first guy off the bench and started six times, will help ease the void from the departure of Hansbrough, the Big East Player of the Year.
''It's always going to be apparent when Ben's not around because he definitely had that presence where he brought that intensity and passion every single day,'' said Abromaitis. ''It will be hard to replace. I think at the same time me and Scott have tried to step up in that position and have been more vocal and try to be the leaders that we needed for this year.''
Martin and Atkins will have to handle that chore the first four games, which Abromaitis must sit out because he played two exhibition games at the beginning of the 2008-09 campaign. His first game back would be against Missouri at the CBE Classic on Nov. 21.
''Those first four games will stink to watch from the bench and not be able to be out there with them,'' said Abromaitis, who averaged 15.4 points and six rebounds last season. ''But it will really be an opportunity for guys to step up that will get a few more minutes here and there that haven't really in the past. I think it will definitely be a springboard for some guys that step up in those games.''
Alex Dragicevich, Joey Brooks and Jerian Grant will be guards who could get their chance at making contributions and freshman Pat Connaughton could also make an impression. Inside, 6-9 Jack Cooley, who has taken off 30 pounds, will be counted on for rebounding, defense and increased minutes. He played in 34 games as a reserve a year ago. The Irish are also hoping for some help from 6-9 Tom Knight.
But the real burden for success will fall on Abromaitis, Atkins and Martin, who finally got to play for the Irish last season after missing two following his transfer from Purdue and knee problems.
Martin, who was bothered by a bad back during the Irish's disappointing second-round NCAA tournament loss to Florida State, said he's healed and ready. He averaged 9.7 points and 4.8 rebounds in his first season with the Irish.
''I just took some time off and worked through and just rested for that period time that I had to,'' he said. ''I just got right back into it. I feel great right now. I have no problems.''
Atkins averaged 5.8 points and 3.2 assists and will be counted on to be more vocal. Maybe not as much as Hansbrough, but still loud enough to make the Irish's offense move.
''Certainly Abro and Martin are the elder statesmen here, but Eric will be like a captain by the Big East regular season as far as his voice and his input,'' Brey said. ''I think by February, he's going to be one of the better guards in the league. Kind of a little bit of an unknown.''
Notre Dame has been picked to finish ninth in the Big East. No big deal, said Atkins. A year ago the Irish were tabbed in the preseason for seventh and finished runner-up to Pitt. They lost in the semifinals of the conference tournament to Louisville before going 1-1 in the NCAA tournament.
''We definitely want to get farther than we were last year. In the second round we felt like we left a lot on the table,'' Atkins said. ''I know that we're really not picked that high this year, but we weren't picked that high last year. I think we can just build upon that and work game from game.''
