Dec. 12, 2005
Notre Dame, Ind. – Senior forward Torin Francis (Boston, Mass.) has been named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll after leading the Irish two victories last week. Louisville senior guard Taquan Dean earned player-of-the-week honors, while Sammy Mejia (DePaul), Carl Krauser (Pittsburgh), Donald Copeland (Seton Hall) and Mike Gansey (West Virginia) joined Francis as honor roll honorees.
Francis averaged 15.0 points and 8.0 rebounds in Notre Dame’s victories over No. 22/19 Alabama (78-71) in Tuscaloosa. Ala., and Florida International (81-47). Against the Crimson Tide, he scored 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds and then netted 16 points, hauled in seven rebounds, blocked three shots and had two steals and two assists in the win over the Golden Panthers. He currently is averaging 14.0 points and a career-best 10.2 rebounds.
With his first basket in the Florida International game, he became the 45th player in Notre Dame basketball history to score 1,000 career points. A starter in all 89 games during his career, Francis has 1,015 points for a career scoring average of 11.4 points. He also is one of just 13 players in the program’s history with more than 1,000 points and 700 rebounds.
Francis has scored in double figures in five games, registered two double-doubles and grabbed 10-plus rebounds in three contests overall. After scoring eight points in the season opener against Lafayette, he has reached double figures in five consecutive games.
Francis has 25 career double-doubles that is best in the BIG EAST among all active players.
Notre Dame (4-2) returns to action on Sun., Dec. 18 when the Irish travel to Fort Wayne, Ind., to play IPFW.