JotCast | ND men's hoops chat - December 2023

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Clancy

10:29

Marquette made us look lost at times. Under Brey, I remember thinking how did he set up practice when there were so few quality players on the practice squad to mimic these tougher opponents. How do you think Micah’s approach to practice players is going?

Thomas Noie

10:28

Whoa....the Russell Carter we saw senior year, sure. But it took three years to get there. For him to get there. Hubb was a #$%#@ you guy from the start.

Andrew from Plymouth

10:27

How about Russell Carter instead of Prentis Hubb?

Thomas Noie

10:27

Mark: Notre Dame assistant coach Ryan Owens classified Cole Certa, who's signed to arrive next season, as the finest shooter in the country. So there's that. And Braeden Shrewsberry, Burton, Tae Davis, Logan Imes all can and should be better than what they've shown from distance to date.

Mark from Rochester

10:26

Tom is there going to be an emphasis on getting shooters in recruiting? Outside of Shrewsberry who needs time and confidence, there arent any threats on our perimeter. Teams seem to be ok with Davis and Roper taking those. Thank you!

Thomas Noie

10:26

Joe: Don't take it personally (I know you won't) but it's kind of asking Mrs. Lincoln that, well, other than the obvious, how did you enjoy the play?

Notre Dame shouldn't have played either of those teams for all the reasons outlined in your post. Maybe next year or the year after they'll have the pieces and the parts and poise to counter everything they saw against Auburn and Marquette. Maybe then, they'll have that inside presence and a guy like a Ben Hansbrough who can be like #$%$# this stuff, I'm going to get a bucket. There are so many missing pieces right now that asking about Auburn or Marquette or what's coming in the league (Duke, Virginia, Clemson) just sets it up for frustration.

joe from the south side

10:23

Tom, I've only seen vs. AUB and vs. MARQ. Both very bad matchups. That said, they are a step slow on both ends. Part of that is learning Micah's system, part is they were just not as athletic as those two schools. The offense, other than Marcus, maybe Davis a little, seems unable to create for themselves. Which makes ball movement and personnel movement paramount, two things I didn't see much of. MARQ picked them up at the 3 point line and ND was satisfied to run the Globetrotter weave and then force a three before the buzzer. They need to establish either Njie or Davis in the post. Maybe get 8 to 10 points to free up the perimeter. Like with Atkinson. Defense shows some hustle but they lack foot quickness and could really use an inside presence. Someone, who when he fouls you, you think twice about going in there again. Thoughts?

Thomas Noie

10:23

Ryan: Good first steps both for Markus Burton and J.R. Konieczny. Point guard is the toughest position to learn/play/know/excel at in college. Burton's had his moments. So has Konieczny. Love how both compete. Konieczny has shown a toughness that we didn't know he had. They'll only get better in this program, which stresses player development way more than the previous staff.

Ryan mars pa

10:21

Tom what do you think About Both players from south bend area Jr and Burton are having a good year so far

Thomas Noie

10:21

Mark: The ebbs and flows for a freshman guard. It was easy early because nobody knew about him. What could he do? How good could he be? There was no film, no scout, no nothing on him. He was a blank slate. As those color by number patterns started to be filled in, teams understood better what he could and what they could do to take him away. Especially against older guards who'd been there and done it at that level. SO Burton hits a rough patch. But good players figure it out. He's figured it out, though it would be nice to see him not hunt his 3-point shot as much (.212 percent). He's lethal in the mid-range. Get to those spots and be good. A lot there to build on.

Mark from Rochester

10:18

What have you seen from Markus Burton over the past month? Started hot but then played better competition and dipped a bit. Excited to see his growth in the program!

Thomas Noie

10:18

Mark: Nope. Hate it. Hate it, hate it, hate it. So does Micah Shrewsberry because outside of Saturday's home game against Georgetown, Shrewsberry had very little say in this season's schedule. He's said it before, so I'll say it again. This is a Notre Dame program that should've been at home playing any directional school it could find for November and December. The Legends Classic? That was tied into the previous coaching regime. Notre Dame had no business playing at Barclays three games in. Same for the game at Marquette. That was a Mike Brey leftover. Shrewsberry really should've asked Shaka Smart to put it on pause for a year. The game at South Carolina was a directive by the league under the ACC/SEC Challenge. Shrewsberry said after that one that Notre Dame also will be on the road (team TBD) for next year's ACC/SEC Challenge. If there was ever a year and a team that needed to feast on those "cupcakes" it's this one. This schedule did this program a disservice in every conceivable way.

Mark from Rochester

10:14

I know this is year 1, but do you like the non conference scheduling change under Micah? Seems to be a lot harder than the cupcakes we’re used to seeing in November and December.

Thomas Noie

10:10

Woof: This group is still too young and inexperienced where they don't know what they don't know. Pick and roll is basic basketball, right Playing it, defending it. All of it. But it's also perfected by guys who know/sense/anticipate what the other guys is going to do. How they're going to guard it, how they're going to roll off it. It takes hundreds of hours in the gym. Sometimes thousands to make it look so smooth. This group, even nine days in, still resembles a noon-time pickup of five guys who don't know one another but are expected to compete at that level. That's a hard ask. Even as well as they've played on defense, there's been leakage. Why? The trust isn't there either. Time.

WoofCookie

10:07

I think they are trying hard on defense, but I've noticed that other teams can set up a pick and roll and get a pretty easy 8-10 foot shoot. Do you think that's just "young" and "inexperience" of the team / learning to play with each other, etc..?

Thomas Noie

10:06

That Notre Dame is challenged in many areas right now is nobody's "fault." The previous head coach had to go, the new head coach came in and guys decided to transfer. It's the way of the college basketball world. Booth is so young he should really be a high school senior right now. Imes is a program guy who fits best as a third or fourth guard. Shrewsberry would be the perfect sniper on a veteran/old/experienced team. All three HAVE to play now - there are no other options. That anyone would be "concerned" given what Micah Shrewsberry inherited/had to work with is laughable. Let's give this three years and see where it is. It's not going to happen any sooner.

10:03

Jack: Soapbox time. Look at my X (Twitter) mentions after almost every single Notre Dame loss this season, and you're bound to come across a thread (or two or three) about how all this is Mike Brey's fault, which I find hilarious. Like, fans.....really? Mike Brey had his faults, but he had a freshman class of Dom Campbell, Ven-Allen Lubin and J.J. Starling, a McDonald's All-American. He had an incoming class that included Markus Burton and Parker Friedrichsen and Brady Dunlap. When Brey left, he encouraged all six of those guys to see who Notre Dame hired before deciding their futures. Only Burton followed through. The other five all left for other schools. That's Brey's fault? Would Starling fit nicely with this team? Would Lubin be sorely needed? Yes, times 10.

Jack from Rye, NY

10:00

While I love the defensive effort-excluding first half at Marquette-it’s obvious we don’t have much talent and/or experience. Mike Brey was often criticized for being a lazy recruiter but compare his last 2 classes with Micah Shrewsberry. Sophomores JJ Starling and Ven Allen Lubin ( double double for Vandy last week) are certainly more productive than Kenna Njie ( 1-17!!! from inside 5 feet) and this year Burton, Parker Friedrichson (19 points for Wake last week) and Brady Dunlap ( little time at St Johns) are certainly more talented and productive than Braeden S, Imes, and Booth. Should we be concerned about recruiting the talent necessary to bring program to the heights that we all hope for? That being said, I do love 2024 class but let’s see what happens

Thomas Noie

9:56

Alex: Not going to sit here and say, called this and called that and knew this and knew that, but nine games in, Notre Dame is about where it's supposed to be. The Irish have competed and shown signs here and there that they MIGHT be good, but they just haven't sustained it. There has reached a point in every loss to a Power Six team (Auburn, South Carolina, Miami, Marquette) where the other team can and has hit another gear and the Irish are seemingly stuck in neutral. Happened right from the start against Marquette, but I agree with Micah Shrewsberry - Notre Dame had ZERO business playing that game. Not at this time. Not with that team. Not against that team. What happened last weekend in Milwaukee was expected. Shrewsberry was right when he said earlier this month that this Notre Dame is one that should've been at home for the entire months of November and December to get some wins and some confidence. The Irish weren't ready for the road, but maybe somewhere along the way, it will make them better.

Alex

9:53

The team plays hard there is no doubt about that. Through 9 games are they better/worse/or about where you expected them to be with such a roster turnaround? This schedule has been a gauntlet for such a brand new/inexperienced group. More difficult than I remember any schedule being under the previous regime.

Thomas Noie

9:52

Patrick: Good call, but after the Western Michigan game, I wrote that Tae Davis has been a revelation, so my pick to date would be Davis, second on the squad in scoring (9.4) and first in rebounding (5.8). He's also been asked to do the most, and it's not even close. He's guarded guards. He's guarded forwards. He's been a secondary handler to Markus Burton. J.R. Konieczny would be No. 2 in terms of pleasant surprises. Both are solid pieces as this moves forward.

Patrick from NYC

9:49

Tom, now that we've gotten a good look at a pretty big rotation (a little delayed on Kebba Njie) who has been the most pleasant surprise? I'm going with JR followed closely by Tae Davis

Thomas Noie

9:48

For a team that ranks 335th in the country for scoring (64.2 ppg.) it's hard to take one of the few guys who can maybe make a shot off the floor. For the most part, Braeden Shrewsberry has defended and has competed. There are times when he looks overmatched/overwhelmed, but that's the case with just about everybody on the roster. It's not just a Shrewsberry thing.

Guest

9:46

Why does Shrewsberry stay in the game when he gets beat off the dribble from the wing for an easy lay up with barely a defensive effort to even attempt to stop the dribble drive penetration for the easy basket.

Thomas Noie

9:45

P: Let me flip the question - why should Tony Sanders play more than the 6:47 he's logged in two games? If he could help in any way, don't you think he would've helped? Right now, there are guys Micah Shrewsberry trusts more (i.e. defends) better than Sanders. Just gotta keep working and maybe the rotation swings his way.

P.Rose

9:44

What happened to Tony Sanders?

Thomas Noie

9:43

How about a definite maybe? As in, maybe when these guys have a clearer idea of who can do what and when, Micah Shrewsberry will trust Markus Burton to move off the ball and Tae Davis to move on it. Given Burton's size, though, he's easy to guard off the ball. He's best with the ball in his hands, getting to the midrange them - boom! - he stops and sticks that mid-range pull-up while the defense still is retreating. That should be in his bag every single time. It's hard watching him struggle from 3 the way he has (7-of-33, .212 percent). He's not a 3-point shooter yet, and that's OK. That will come. Same with trusting someone else besides Burton to get into some semblance of offense. Burton leads the Irish with 33 assists. Logan Imes is the only other player in double figures for assists with 10. Keep the ball in Burton's hands and let him create. That works best for where the Irish are for now.

Billy Mac

9:40

Tom - During scoring droughts this year the only “go to” seems to be Marcus Burton’s pull-up mid range jumper that he seems to be able to get when he wants. Do you see a time when Coach Schrews puts the ball in someone else’s hand and lets Marcus hunt his shot a bit when needed? Thanks as always for the chat!

Thomas Noie

9:39

2025 prospects: Azavier Robinson (G), Colt Laydon (F), E.J. Walker (F), Dezmon Bruce (F), Christian Gurdak (C), Malachi Moreno (C), Braylon Mullins (G), Jalen Haralson (F), Niko Bundalo (F), Gregory Lawson (G). 2026 prospects: Taylen Kinney (G), Steven Reynolds (G), Jonathan Sanderson (G), T.J. Crumble (F).

9:36

Pat: Good question, but first a roster breakdown for 2024-25 - If, and that's always going to be a huge IF, nobody jumps to the transfer portal in the spring, Notre Dame will have a maximum 13 players on scholarship, which includes former walk-on Alex Wade and current seniors Tony Sanders and Matt Zona, who each have their COVID-19 bonus seasons remaining for 2024-25. So after 2024-25, if this roster stays together, Notre Dame will have four scholarships (Wade, Julian Roper, Zona, Sanders) to offer the 2025 class. That said, Notre Dame's future classes will look a lot like its first two - versatile guards/post players. Here's who visited this fall from the Class of 2025 and Class of 2026...

Pat H. Springfield Illinois

9:32

Who’s being recruited and for what positions? Thanks for hosting this and keep up your good work

Thomas Noie

9:26

Chad: Facts, which is why I've pushed back on this narrative from Notre Dame men's basketball "fans" who have holler "Hallelujah!" every time Micah Shrewsberry has mentioned defense. Like, be careful what you wish for in that regard. Yes, Notre Dame has and will continue to guard, but it also is offensively challenged. That's not coaching as much as it is personnel. Look at the grouping that are on the floor. Freshmen. Transfers. A junior (J.R. Knoieczny) who basically sat out for two years. It's an impossible ask to put any combination of five guys on the floor and have them figure it out against the teams it has had to figure it out against. There is ability there - we saw it when they scored a season high 86 points last week against Western Michigan. But when your best option is Markus Burton going and getting something, you're going to rank 335th in the country for scoring offense (64.2 ppg.). This program needs a walking bucket. It doesn't have one.

Chad from Toledo

9:22

Not to be rude or anything but you can practice defense all year round and no one is shutting teams out in Basketball correct?? Bottom line is to score more points than your opponent Yes?? The game has changed a lot since shot clock for sure!! Can you explain the process Coach Shrewsberry is trying to build when Offense wins games n defense is ND focal point? I do like this team so far but ND needs to score the ball more n hope to play defense well enough to win!Out rebounding teams is the best defense you can play!Markus Burton body will not hold up dribbling the entire possession to create offense! Your thoughts on ND best scoring option at 5’11”!! Luv the kids game but he needs help? Go Irish

Thomas Noie

9:20

Avila: It was time for a change. Mike Brey would be the first to admit that - he should've left after the 2022 NCAA tournament run, but was fooled into thinking that team last year could recreate what happened in 2021-22. Didn't have it in them. It happens. Reset button was pressed. Micah Shrewsberry will utilize the transfer portal to fit a specific need. A guy here, maybe two guys there, but it's never going to be a case like it is at Georgetown, which comes to town Saturday with 10 - TEN! - transfers on its roster. It will be recruiting, recruiting, recruiting, then player development, player development, player development. This staff is better set up to do that than the last one.

Avila

9:17

Love the fresh start. It was past time. Will Shrew use the portal or develop young talent? Good luck….don’t let Duke intimidate you……

Thomas Noie

9:15

Johnny: Two for one answer coming here. Notre Dame is 4-5 heading into Saturday's home game against Georgetown. That starts a season-high six-game homestand (three non-conference, three conference). Good teams, or OK teams learning to be good have, have, have to win at home. Notre Dame should win those three non-conference home games - Georgetown, The Citadel, Marist - which gets the Irish to 7-5 jumping back to league play. The Irish are 0-1 in the ACC. My projection at the start was this team could win six league games somewhere along the line. That would leave the Irish 13-19 heading to the league tournament. Think everyone would take that given what we've seen to date, right?

Johnny in NC

9:12

Can ND win four ACC games this year?

9:11

What number of wins would be considered a success this year?

Thomas Noie

9:10

Mike: Agree 1000 percent on the hustle part. Like Micah Shrewsberry has often said, he's not going to coach effort. If you're going to play, you're going to play hard. The guys have shown it, but are still learning it. The effort wasn't anywhere where it needed to be in the first half against Marquette. The second half, though it was really just a scrimmage, the effort was better. Shrewsberry said afterward that the tape won't lie - he'll see how hard guys played in the second half. Now go play that way from the jump. As for Kebba Njie, it might be part hand, part head. It's been a struggle for him to get back into full go with the right hand injury, which has led to him overthinking everything. He just needs to settle in and get a few easy baskets. That can get him going. We also have to remember that he's only a sophomore. He played every game last year at Penn State, but wasn't one of the main guys. Rotating into that role is difficult as it is. Even more so coming back from injury/ineffectiveness.

Mike from columbus

9:06

Love this team. Haven’t seen this much hustle for quite a while except for Njie. Is the hand holding him back or does he need a big dose of nasty.

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