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Earlier this year, Austin Torres announced his return to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, coming back as a graduate student and giving Mike Brey a big defensive body to alleviate Bonzie Colson for a few minutes per game.
Torres has always been an enthusiastic presence on the bench, and it carries into his time on the floor. He averaged just over seven minutes a game in his senior season, and while he is relied on for his defensive and rebounding abilities, he did shoot a respectful 55% from the field last season.
3 Things to Know About Austin Torres:
- Torres came up big against #9 Louisville last season, blocking two shots and recording a steal in just four minutes of play to set up a 77-70 win
- It is incredibly difficult to measure his contributions from a box score. The energy he brings off the bench in short spurts is unparalleled
- Torres played on the same AAU team as former Irish stud Demetrius Jackson
YouTube Hot Fire:
This huge slam came off a gorgeous pass from Jerian Grant. As always, Torres was amped.
I, RyChi, Dub Thee:
Austin 3:16- He might only play three minutes in a game, but he can make his impact on as many as 16 plays in that short span. The guy the definition of a spark-plug.
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2017 Outlook:
Torres’ workload likely won’t change much in his graduate season. With Colson being the focal point in the paint, and Martinas Geben slotted ahead of him, Brey will likely lean on Torres for his energy. The energy of Torres isn’t a bad substitute when Colson and/or Geben need a breather.
Expect Torres to come in and bang bodies when the Irish face ACC foes like Miami, who will present plenty of size. The Irish have a brutal schedule this year, and Torres can help alleviate the pressure for Colson to perform at an elite level for 38 minutes a game.