JotCast | Notre Dame basketball - August 26 chat

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Tom Noie

1:51

That will do it today for our August chat. We'll be back again in September, one month closer to the start of college basketball season. If you have a question or comment that cannot wait, you can always drop me a note at tnoie@sbtinfo.com. Thanks to everyone who joined. Enjoy what's left of summer!

1:46

Brian: I agree. On August 13, you tend to lean toward the guys who have done it at that level - an Ethan Roberts and a Logan Duncomb who know how to be consistent/reliable double-figure scorers. Braeden Shrewsberry as well. Brady Koehler may realize, OK, this is how I can best score it and evolve into an every-game double figures guy. The leading scorer will likely by one of those four. They'll be helped by more guys who know how to facilitate and can be connectors to what the Irish want to do. Maybe not make the pass to get a guy a good look, but make a pass that leads to the pass that gets a guy a good look. That would be a refreshingly new look.

Brian

1:43

Tom, thanks for doing this! If everyone's healthy, who leads the team in scoring next year? I feel like it could be a couple of guys, which is maybe part of what makes this year different than previous years.

Tom Noie

1:36

Jack: Absolutely. That's where some people may not understand when we say - I say - the baseline goal is to make it to the ACC Tournament after going 13-18 overall, 4-14 last year. That's not the ONLY goal. Another should be to be better - way better - at home. Another still is to win games - two, three, even four - where you look pre-game and think, yeah, Notre Dame doesn't stand a chance to beat Team A, B or C. That's where the experience and the age of this roster - and ideally, the acumen of the coaching staff kicks in. Like, people don't think we have a chance. Watch this. We're going to out-scheme them, out-think them, then out-play them. Those are the kind of steps a program has to take to becoming a program. We haven't seen much of that yet out of Notre Dame. We need to see that just as much as we need to see Notre Dame in the ACC Tournament. It's time.

Jack from Rye

1:32

Mike Brey used to be able to “ get old and stay old” factor outweigh many athletic disadvantages. Of course his team played with same personnel for several years unlike 26-27 team. Is there any hope for this team to win games that look unwinnable on paper, but experience wins out? Thank you

Tom Noie

12:28

Fred: Great question. The top five places I'd like to get to but haven't been ... there aren't that many I've missed. Think I'm over 100 in my career. 1. Allen Fieldhouse; 2. The Pit; 3. The Palestra; 4. Kohl Center; 5. Bud Walton Arena. Top five I miss? Nos. 1 through 5 might be Madison Square Garden (especially during the Big East tournament. Let's go with 1. MSG; 2. Viejas Arena (outdoor press conferences/work areas; 3. Lahaina Civic Center (Pacific Ocean in distance); 4. Pauley Pavilion; 5. Capital One Arena.

Fred, Calabasas, Calif.

12:22

What are the top five basketball arenas you’d like to cover a game from but haven’t? Top five arenas you miss

Tom Noie

11:10

Sean: That would be a no - Pete Bevacqua does not have Notre Dame basketball and how to better it on his athletic director radar. Too much else going on in the college athletics world. And too many naming deals to seal to take 30 minutes to talk basketball. We can dream, though! Maybe soon....Maybe.

Sean,Greensboro NC

11:09

Tom, really enjoy your work keeping us informed.I do not know how you do it.By the way, Has our illustrious AD come out from hiding to grant you an interview yet?He can't hide forever, or can he?Thanks, hope you are having a good summer. Sean.

Tom Noie

11:09

Jim: Easy. Logan Duncomb said so. I joke, but since we didn't see Duncomb in the summer, his words (and his stats from last season) are all we have to go on. He was the Big South player of the year in going for 18.3 points and 8.9 rebounds - 21.3 and 10.3 in league play. He has said that as good as he was last year, when he also got to the free throw line 264 times and had 14 double doubles, he can and should be even better this season. Yes, he said, he did a lot last year but believes there's still more for him to do. And to do it at the ACC level. That drives him. He needs competition like we need oxygen. Something happens when it's time to compete. Duncomb will compete. He's a kind of guy that this program hasn't had of late. He looks forward to the chance to figure it out in the ACC. Let's see him.

Jim from Annandale, VA

11:05

Hi Tom: What makes you confident that Logan Duncomb can take the step up in competition and be an effective inside player in the ACC? I am not saying that he can't succeed (think Paul Atkinson), just curious if you have seen anything in his film or game that will work in the ACC? In the film that I have seen, Duncomb seems to rely on jump hooks and drop steps. Will these work against larger, more athletic big men? Thanks Tom for the chats, your reporting, and everything else you do to keep information on the Notre Dame b-ball program flowing.

Tom Noie

10:57

Mike: Let's go with intrigue more than optimism. I'll go the Marcus Freeman route on this one - choose hard. It would be so easy - too easy - to look at the factors that you rattled off and say, yeah, this team's going to stink. But what if something clicks and everything flips? What if adding all these old guys gives this program something it hasn't had. What if Logan Duncomb is a revelation in the low post? What if Braeden Smith protects the basketball like we haven't seen? What if Micah Shrewsberry finally schemes this team to two or three wins we don't see coming? Yes, ON PAPER, Notre Dame is not expected to do much, or even be much, but listening to a lot of these guys this summer, they believe they have much to prove. There's an attitude and an edge that hasn't been there the last three years. Maybe Notre Dame surprises. Would be a heck of a lot better than what many expect.

Mike from Rochester, NY

10:53

You seem to be much more optimistic about this year's team than many of the fans. Am I right about that and what is your rationale, given the complete roster turnover, lack of major conference-level athleticism and talent and utter lack of indication that the head coach can deliver at ND?

Tom Noie

10:50

Clint: Honestly, first thought? Time for that salty Notre Dame fan base to deliver. How many years have we heard how the interest level in hoops is so low because the early schedule stinks? Need all your fingers and some of your toes to count up how many years we've heard that lately. Not this year. Notre Dame gets Ohio State, TCU and Vanderbilt all at home. If Irish fans aren't going to show up and show out this year, they never will. The ACC schedule is what it is - repeats with Boston College and Wake Forest, home only with Cal, Carolina, Pitt, SMU, Stanford, 'Cuse and Va. Tech. Road only with Clemson, Duke, FSU, GT, Miami, NCST and UVa. That Notre Dame and Louisville do not play is beyond dumb. Not only should those teams play every year, they should be repeat opponents. Maybe this is finally the year that Notre Dame wins three or four league games we don't see coming. Like, whoa, how did the Irish pull that off? Overdue for that...

Clint, Winnipeg

10:46

What's your take on this season's schedule -- the ACC opponents and whatever non-conference foes we know at this point? When should we expect to see the schedule?

Tom Noie

10:37

JJ: Let's go with four - the old guys (Logan Duncomb, Braeden Smith, Ethan Roberts, Bryce Dortch, Yoro Diallo) were as good as advertised early and often. Notre Dame finally figured out how to take care of the ball and its assist/turnover ratio is in double digits and not the 260s or 330s nationally. Brady Koehler took a massive step and is one of the better bigs in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Number four would be that Micah Shrewsberry shows why he was such a hot coaching name in 2023 and he schemes Notre Dame into a handful of wins in games that Notre Dame has no business winning. If all of that happens, February might be worth watching.

JJ from Bristol

10:34

Allow yourself, even just for a brief moment, to imagine a world in which Notre Dame MBB is playing meaningful basketball at the end of February. Not even on the right side of the bubble, but at least somewhat in the hunt. What are the three biggest things that will have needed to occur/develop during the season for that scenario to occur?

Tom Noie

10:29

Chris: Love Ethan Roberts, and not just because he's a fellow Northwest Suburban Chicago guy (him: Arlington Heights, me: Buffalo Grove). Asked Ethan the first time we spoke about why he'd take a leap with a Notre Dame program that hasn't won much the last few years and his answer resonated. He said he's won at a lot of the places he's been and he's not going to Notre Dame to lose. The staff has a plan. He has a plan. He's going to see it though. It was like, yeah, that's good stuff. He's an old guy, an experienced guy, who's done a ton in college basketball. It took him some time to get to Notre Dame, but he's here now. That might mean something with this team.

Chris - Columbus, Ohio

10:26

What do you think Ethan Roberts brings to the team? His “day in the life of” video was impressive, and I would love to see hum succeed with ND.

Tom Noie

10:25

Ryan: If Notre Dame played tonight, the starting lineup would be Braeden Smith (point guard), Braeden Shrewsberry (shooting guard), Ethan Roberts (wing guard), Brady Koehler (small forward) and Logan Duncomb (power forward). Top four off the bench (in no order): Jonathan Sanderson, Bryce Dortch, Yoro Diallo and Tommy Ahneman.

Ryan Frankfort Illinois

10:24

Tom who will the starters when the season starts I’m thinking schrewsberry Ethan Roberts Braden smith Bryce dortch and Logan Imes GO IRISH ☘️☘️🏀🏀

Tom Noie

10:24

Joe: I don't either, which makes this 2026-27 season one that I cannot wait to start. No idea how it's going to shake out. No idea if Micah Shreswsberry can make the most of basically a restart/second chance. No idea if going old one year after going young is going to work. No idea. That's what makes it worth finding out. Not sure how that translates into percentages. Just be better enough to at least make the ACC Tournament, then go from there. Low bar, sure, but that bar was pretty darn low to end last season.

Joe H. Mechanicsburg , PA

10:22

Tom, I have no idea what to expect from this team this season. What percentage do you give this team in being a surprise team in 26/27? After last season any type of consistent positive play would be awesome! Thank you for doing a great job.

Tom Noie

10:22

Linas: Going to take you a little inside baseball for this answer - this is a job that's dictated by the calendar. It starts with the start of fall football camp in early August and runs through college football season, college basketball season, spring football in April and various high school events in May and June. July is the only month to get away and recharge and rest up for another grind. So the less basketball availability the better. Seriously. PTO took a hit last month with all the basketball availability. I had one-on-ones with 10 players. We talked to Micah Shrewsberry twice, talked to three assistant coaches and saw a full practice. That was a TON. I'll never turn down a chance to watch hoops or talk hoops in July, but this calendar can be unforgiving. We're in it now until June 2026...

Linas from the OC

10:17

Hi Tom, Happy summer! Why all the secrecy and very limited availability for summer practices? Is this an NCAA rule or is it up to the coaches/athletic directors at individual schools? You've been doing this a long time and wondering if you think it's a good idea or should more practices be open to the media. Thanks

Tom Noie

10:14

Todd: Can't hurt, right? Most of the money raised will go to Notre Dame football, and understandably so, but some of it will eventually find its way to the other athletic programs. That's why Notre Dame football winning its first national championship since 1988 this season is paramount, in part, for the other athletic programs. Notre Dame is pouring every possible resource into a football national championship. What happens if that doesn't happen? Does Notre Dame spend $60 million on that chase next year? $70 million? When/How does it stop?

Todd Vanden Berghe niagara falls ontario canada

10:11

Tom, any chance the so-fi logo money helps our BB team's??

Tom Noie

10:11

Brian: I feel like Andy Dufresne writing Red in Shawshank Redemption - "Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies." There's always hope. This season may not be one of big wins and Selection Sunday dreams, but it also may not be the tire fire that everybody fears. As for adding a late player after the court ruling that gave all 2022 recruits an added year, that's a tough, tough ask. Your roster is what your roster is from June through July and August. Now you want to add someone? Wasn't in the cards for Notre Dame from a roster standpoint. And financial standpoint. Notre Dame doesn't have the financial capability of adding a Mark Mitchell or Seth Trimble or Skyy Clark.

Brian

10:08

Is there hope? Any hope?
Did we even try to get any 5 in 5 players?

Tom Noie

10:07

Mike: No. That Eddy Street Commons thing was different and kind of cool (there still were issues), but messing around on a plastic court probably not the best idea. And the explanation I've gotten as one reason for no more open practices/scrimmages inside Purcell Pavilion is a lack of available ushers to oversee it. Those Saturday home game crowds can get a little feisty...

Mike from Rochester, NY

10:04

Are there any plans for open scrimmages on football weekends again or anything resembling the outdoor event that the team held last year?

Tom Noie

10:04

Mike: With the summer bridge program complete, many of the Irish have returned home until the start of the fall semester. Practices then start back up (not with the intensity or demand in season) when classes start at the end of the month. The coaching staff gets them a few hours a week until early October when official practice starts. Not sure it's an "official" day like it once was. It just kind of morphs from individual workouts and lifts to full in-season stuff. But the players are either lifting or in skill development or playing pickup from the start of the fall semester at the end of the month. All hoops all the time...

Mike from Rochester, NY

10:01

What does the schedule look like for the rest of the summer and into the fall leading up to the start of the season? In other words, how much time can the coaches able to devote to practice, lifting, etc.?

Tom Noie

9:59

Micah Shrewsberry said this summer that he believes there are more people from the administration/athletic department side in his corner than there were in recent seasons, but not sure if that helps. Pete Bevacqua and Pat Garrity may throw all of their support behind this coaching staff, but if that offers little to no guarantee that Notre Dame will do everything it needs to do to retain the 2026-27 roster for 2027-28, not sure if that matters.

Guest

9:57

Tom, do you think Shrews realizes now what it is going to take to keep his own players on the team? Do you think Pete and Pat are helping or going to watch him sink or swim?

Tom Noie

9:56

Tony: Quiet on the recruiting front, for various reasons, be it the future of this coaching staff or the future of the roster. What does Notre Dame basketball look like in 2027-28? Depends a lot on 2026-27, right? Who goes to the portal? Who stays? Does the way Notre Dame did it last offseason actually work for the regular season in terms of success? Wins? Momentum? Notre Dame tried to go the develop our own guys route with that 2024 recruiting class that was ranked Top 10 - we saw how that turned out. It blew up. Does it work better mining the portal? We won't know until March. It's a get old and stay old game. Not sure loading up with young guys is the best route - unless you're prepared to keep them through $$$. We saw that answer last spring. it might be better to rent one-year old guys than stockpile young guys who jump into the portal for more money. College basketball.

Tony

9:53

Tom, are you hearing any news on the recruiting front ? It seems really quiet on offers and visits. Is this going to be another portal class again?

Tom Noie

9:52

Tim: Spoken like someone who overemphasizes recruiting rankings....

I kid, but there is some truth to it - who cares if that was a Top 15 class and Nate Laszewski was touted as the best shooting big in the country. Can they play? Right away? What are their games like collectively? Individually? Don't take these as excuses, but there are explanations as to why this group (at least their first four years, I'm not counting the fifth when everyone collectively quit after getting to the 2022 NCAA Tournament) never met expectations. Maybe it was because Robby Carmody couldn't stay healthy. Or Prentiss Hubb was the only one of the group who had the stones to do something in late shot clocks. Or, we might forget, of the pandemic, which derailed any momentum. They finally figured it out in 2022, but when Notre Dame was the LAST team into the NCAA Tournament despite going 15-5 in the ACC, Mike Brey was done. He should have left after that year. Do what ND did and be No. 68? He was forever out. So was that class

Tim from Chicago

9:47

Hi Tom, Mike Brey recently posted a photo on X of him at Prentice Hubb's wedding and also in the photo were a number of teammates from that era of ND hoops. Congrats to Prentice, but I still can't get over my dislike for that group of players all these years later. I feel like that recruiting class of Carmody, Goodwin, Lazz and Hubb (I won't include Chris Doherty) were the beginning of the downfall of the Brey golden age. I guess the only question is why does a picture of these guys celebrating a special life event still make me grumpy?

Tom Noie

9:41

Ron: That low bar comes from what happened last year. Notre Dame went 13-18 overall, 4-14 in the ACC and didn't qualify for the league tournament for the first time in program history. It lost six core rotation guys to the portal. IT's basically starting over with 10 new players. Getting to the ACC Tournament SHOULD be the baseline goal this year. Winning league record? NCAA Tournament? Nothing we've seen from this program leads anyone to believe that's probable, let alone possible. Small steps with a program - and a staff - that's still trying to figure out who they are, and what they are.

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