Shades of 1971-72, Digger Phelps' first season in South Bend when the Fighting Irish were graduation-depleted from the Austin Carr class the year before, battled injuries, and forced to recruit football players in the later stages of a brutal 6-20 campaign. Micah Shrewsberry doesn't have a lot more going for him with a roster almost completely stripped from Mike Brey's swansong last year, and a slow start confirmed by a pair of spread Ls and a loss at Phil Purcell Pavilion to Western Carolina. Meanwhile Bruce Pearl might have another Big Dance contender at Auburn, with 6-10 Johni Broome having NBA scouts interested and FIU transfer Denver Johnson (50% triples already) filling a long-range shooting need. Play Auburn (at Brooklyn)