LAS VEGAS - I’m headed to cover the USA Olympic Team’s exhibition against Canada later this afternoon and then I’ll head back home on the red-eye tonight and shut the door on the summer recruiting scene.

Notre Dame coach Mike Brey will get another chance to go to Ireland and this time he’ll take the Irish for a trip next month (Aug. 12-24) where they will play six games in three cities.

Brey has no problem – and he’s correct – in that this year’s Notre Dame schedule just may be the most difficult in school history. The Irish will play in Maui, at UCLA and against Ohio State in non-league play – and will also play in a loaded Big East.

Brey brings back his entire team from a year ago except for forward Rob Kurz.

``Luke Zeller will get some minutes,” Brey said. “He’s gotten better and tougher and he’ll play off (Luke) Harangody well.”

BARNES NOT CONCERNED

Texas coach Rick Barnes isn’t nearly as concerned as many about filling the void left by D.J. Augustin.

That’s no knock on Augustin. It’s more than he feels that the trio of freshman Dogus Balbay, A.J. Abrams and Justin Mason are more than capable of doing the job.

``Mason has improved and people will find out that A.J. can play the point,” Barnes said. “He’s got great vision and can play the position. Also, Dogus is much better than people realize.”

Barnes also maintains that he’ll finally have some experience in the program for the first time in three years. Abrams and Connor Atchley are seniors, Mason is a junior and most of the young big men have a year under their belt.