the week, even rookie of the week. Martin received no such public
credit, but there may be no player in the rotation whose role is more
important, more valued, more necessary than that of No. 14.
At 23 years old, the Valparaiso native is the team's resident old man.
And he plays like it. Martin often operates like an assistant coach on
the floor and during scouting sessions, when he offers his input and
sometimes suggestions.
He makes sure everyone knows the set the Irish are ready to run. He
makes sure everyone knows to switch from a man defense to zone. He
makes sure during those breaks-in-the-action timeouts that his voice
is heard.
He just makes everything run. He does so in a steady way that seldom
delivers big numbers, just consistent ones. In two seasons at Notre
Dame, Martin has posted just about similar stats for points (9.5 this
season, 9.7 last), rebounds (5.7-4.8), assists (1.6-1.8) and minutes
(34.6-30.5). He's also been the team leader in charges taken -- one of
the more thankless and toughest roles to play.
He's just there every day. Even when his game and his confidence was a
mess during those first few weeks with Abromaitis on crutches, Martin
never stopped being the glue guy.
credit, but there may be no player in the rotation whose role is more
important, more valued, more necessary than that of No. 14.
At 23 years old, the Valparaiso native is the team's resident old man.
And he plays like it. Martin often operates like an assistant coach on
the floor and during scouting sessions, when he offers his input and
sometimes suggestions.
He makes sure everyone knows the set the Irish are ready to run. He
makes sure everyone knows to switch from a man defense to zone. He
makes sure during those breaks-in-the-action timeouts that his voice
is heard.
He just makes everything run. He does so in a steady way that seldom
delivers big numbers, just consistent ones. In two seasons at Notre
Dame, Martin has posted just about similar stats for points (9.5 this
season, 9.7 last), rebounds (5.7-4.8), assists (1.6-1.8) and minutes
(34.6-30.5). He's also been the team leader in charges taken -- one of
the more thankless and toughest roles to play.
He's just there every day. Even when his game and his confidence was a
mess during those first few weeks with Abromaitis on crutches, Martin
never stopped being the glue guy.
