Courtesy of @AlDogg44
Notre Dame’s men’s basketball season is over (sadly, so too is the women’s). Out again in the Elite 8. Lost again to a true blue blood program. Last year it was Kentucky. This year, North Carolina. And in the end, it’s likely the end of the line for the core group of players who compiled a 56-18 record in the last two seasons.
Zach Auguste and Demetrius Jackson stepped up as the leaders of this year’s team with Jerian Grant and Pat Connaughton in the NBA. And they did so with on court success, and by all reports a locker room culture, that fans of the program should be immensely proud of.
Conference wins against Duke and North Carolina, a double-bye in the ACC tournament, and a second consecutive run to the Elite 8. Yes, I know Butler still has more Final Fours the Notre Dame, but that’s some significant overachievement.
And if it is the end –– if Demetrius Jackson declares (which he should), and if VJ Beachem rides his great play down the stretch into a NBA Draft selection (which I suspect he will) coupled with Zach Auguste’s graduation — then it’s been a heckuva run. I’ve enjoyed it immensely as I’m sure all Irish fans have.
We all like to think of Notre Dame as a football school but, let’s not forget, the Irish rank seventh all-time in men’s basketball wins. This group put that back into focus.
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Will ND MBB be a competitive team next season?
Competitive, as opposed to a recreational team? My hunch says we’re going to lead toward competitive, but the coaches may have other ideas.
I think “it depends” is a pretty lame answer, but it depends is probably the best answer I can give you. If Beachem returns, then you’ve a decent core of he [Beachem], Colson, Farrell, Pflueger, Vasturia. That core doesn’t include a legitimate big, which is vital to competing in the ACC but does give you some pieces. Then, looking at the recruiting landscape, Temple Gibbs and John Mooney are basically on par with what Brey has been able to recruit to ND since 2012 but again these are floor spacers and shooters – Brey’s kind of player. All of which is to say: Mike Brey teams need to shoot a really high percentage to win games; they don’t rebound particularly well, they don’t get a ton of high % layups and dunks, and they’re never going to be great defensives teams. That makes future success really hard to predict.
Beacham leave? Haven’t heard any mention of that.
Niel, I’m not claiming inside knowledge or trying to break news. But given that players can now workout at the NBA combine, then return to school (http://www.si.com/college-basketball/2016/01/13/nba-draft-early-entry-deadline-ncaa-extended-combine), I wouldn’t be surprised if VJ doesn’t come back. My guess is that he’s going to get a really good evaluation. Don’t think he’ll be a lottery pick, which may, in the end, keep him in school but that’s what I’m basing my speculation on — not an existing rumor. In fact, Brey is his post-gamer last night talked about VJ being a senior leader next year, for what that’s worth.
My B. *Neil*
Selfishly I hope it’s not the case. I’ve thought there was a lot of potential there from the moment he arrived. So great to see it bursting forth now. Want to see more. Then again, we’ve seen a Carleton Scott jump ship before.