JotCast | Notre Dame Basketball - April 2026 chat

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Tony from Bloomington

12:14

Do you believe the Women's Bball crowds will again be larger than the Men's crowds this upcoming season? Truly an astonishing thing to see on TV.

Tom Noie

12:14

Mike: Again, as I continue to beat my head against the wall with some of you who want to see ONLY what you want to see, it's not all about money, but money makes the college basketball world go around. It matters. A lot. It's not just a money issue. It's not just a Shrewsberry issue. It's an all-encompassing issue, but keep picking money out and ignoring the rest.

Mike from Va

12:12

There is no offensive identity, defense has been abysmal, they don't protect the ball, and a beat writer said "he needs to sit his a$$ down and let his kids play", but now it's all money driven. You can say "he'd be the first one to tell you he needs to coach better" but then why doesn't he?

Tom Noie

12:11

First one into the portal from Notre Dame will be the last to find a school. Still sorting through his options.

Illinois Fool

12:11

Any idea where Sir Mohammed will be playing next season?

Tom Noie

12:10

Rack, Mack, been a long morning already, Jack!

Tony from Bloomington

12:09

I believe the coach's name is Tony Rack, not Mack

Tom Noie

12:09

Clint: Watch this program turn into the college basketball version of Major League. Everybody's out on them. They have no chance. No hope. Something strange happens on the way to the Atlantic Coast Conference basement. Not sure who Willie Mayes Hayes or Jake Taylor are for Notre Dame this season, but let's find out!

Clint from Winnipeg

12:08

Talk me off the ledge. How do I get excited about the 2026-27 MBB season in the current state of college athletics and with the passive attitude towards the program of the ND administration?

Tom Noie

12:07

Clint: I'd say no, that payday didn't happen at George Washington. Was it a mistake to leave? Not sure because not sure what he wants out of college basketball. A lot of money? Some money? A lot of playing time? An education?

Clint from Winnipeg

12:06

Did Ryder Frost find his desired big payday at George Washington? Was it a mistake for him to leave?

Tom Noie

12:06

John: Ryder Frost made $200,000 last season at Notre Dame. Season ended, he walked into Rolfs Hall and asked for ... $450,000.

John

12:06

So the Frost transfer was initiated by an inflated NIL expectation? Can you share what the amount was that he wanted? And did he get it at George Washington?

Tom Noie

12:06

Mike: Think you've been on the horse for too long. Nowhere have I ever said that Cole Certa was going to make $300,000 this year. Certa made $100,000 last year. He's set to make more than $1 million at Clemson. Notre Dame wasn't going to match that.

Cowboy Mike - Jefferson GA

12:04

I'm not a big fan of Burton coz he was hurt a lot. But I liked Certa and I think you said he went to Clemson for 300k . Ur telling me ND could not match that offer?

Tom Noie

12:03

Thad: They do, because they were already planning out what next season might look like. Then the offers that they couldn't refuse arrived, and it was time to go. But saying, well, if Notre Dame would have matched that is like saying, well, if South Bend was located in Southern California, it would be a much nicer place to live.

Guest

12:02

Thad —Lansing ..With NIL money being equal does Burton, Harralson or Certa stay at Notre Dame? No .. and that is an indictment on the program, administration and coaches!!! Thanks Tom

Tom Noie

12:01

Logan Duncomb gives Notre Dame something it hasn't had since Paul Atkinson in 2021-22. Legit low-post scorer. Gets to the line. Puts up numbers. He was the gotta-get guy in the portal. Notre Dame got him. Now let's see what it does with him.

P.Rose, St. Paul

12:00

I admit to being surprised at the transfers ND is bringing in. Given the NIL limitations, and disappointing season, it's a better group than I expected. Which incoming transfer will make the biggest impact, do you think?

Tom Noie

11:59

A.J.: Not sure that's what I said (because that's not the case). Consider it a momentary lapse of reason. Sometimes I don't make sense, either...

A.J. Farmington Hills, MI

11:58

I am confused by something you said on Locked on Irish. You said Shrewsberry was never a realistic candidate for the Butler job because essentially neither party was interested (How would Butler sell that to their fans/why would Butler want him and Shrews wants to be at Notre Dame). But then you said if Shrewsberry wanted to be the coach at Butler right now he would be.

Doesn't make sense Tom.

Tom Noie

11:57

J.J.: Yes! We've hit the writer is covering for Micah Shrewsberry portion of the chat! I knew you had it in you. What took so long? You might want to pay closer attention - might be out there in the sun too long in Naples. I've prefaced every single comment about Notre Dame basketball by saying that Micah Shrewsberry needs to be better in all aspects of his job for this to work. He hasn't. But the issue about Notre Dame basketball goes way deeper than just the head coach. Is it an issue? A thousand times, yes. But it's not the only reason, and getting a new head coach is not going to make the problems that plague this program disappear. I don't know how much clearer to make that point. But you're hung up on Shrewsberry (and his son) which means there's no reasoning with you. Move along.

JJ - Naples, FL

11:54

I wish someone would make as many excuses for me when if I failed at my job as you make for Micah Shrewsberry.

Tom Noie

11:49

Pete: The 2026-27 roster - returning guys, freshmen, transfers - will be here for summer school in June. Summer practices will allow them to get to know one another. They need to lock the doors of Rolfs and do nothing but play in their off hours. Exhibition games against Butler (home) and DePaul (away) will happen in October. Teams can now go on a foreign tour every single offseason instead of the old once every four years model. Not sure that fits Notre Dame's timeline this season given that the opener is in Rome on November 1.

Pete from Berrien Springs

11:47

When will the entire roster, holdovers, incoming freshmen and transfer portal commits, begin practice together? Are there any scrimmage games against other teams or overseas trips scheduled to gage how this roster melds together?

Tom Noie

11:47

James: So, wait, you're not a Micah Shrewsberry fan? Not sure he's ever thought "he is doing a great job." But let's run with that narrative. And a new guy stirring up excitement? That's what they said about Shrewsberry in 2023... If Notre Dame wanted to move on, why not move on after last season? Why wait? It's not going to be any better next season, and hanging a "next year it has to happen" expectation on Notre Dame basketball misses the mark.

James - Athens, OH

11:44

Don't you think Notre Dame and Shrewsberry should just part ways after this coming season? It has not worked out. He does not like ND. ND does not like him. Maybe they can hire a guy who actually takes some accountability (Shrewsberry has just blamed the fans and his team - never once looked inward. Not once). Also, a new guy could potentially stir up some excitement within the fans and donors. No one with any money wants to light it on fire by giving it to a guy who thinks he is doing a great job and the struggles are everyone else's fault.

Tom Noie

11:39

Frank: They cannot, and the won't. Never say never, but anytime soon ain't happening.

Frank from Michiana

11:39

I recently saw where you may have posted what the outgoing players (Burton, Harelson, Certa) got in NIL money from their new schools. How can Notre Dame EVEN come close to competing with other schools in today's landscape?

Tom Noie

11:39

You spelled Pete Bevacqua wrong.

Stephen from New Orleans

11:38

Who would be on your shortlist for Head Coach if (honestly when) Notre Dame fires Shrewsberry?

Tom Noie

11:38

Let's go with a combined salary of just under $8 million. Last year? Maybe a combined $3 million. But it's not about the money Jet!!!

The Jet from Evansville

11:37

How much are Burton, Certa, and Haralson getting next year? What were they getting this year?

Tom Noie

11:33

Sean: Standings requests have been made by the Tribune for Pete Bevacqua and Pat Garrity. They've been in place for some time. Word from Notre Dame is that Pete Bevacqua feels no urgency to speak on Notre Dame basketball, certainly from a local level. If the program is indeed burning to the ground, there's no smoke detected from anyone on campus. See no basketball, hear no basketball. I would love to sit with Pete Bevacqua. The feeling isn't mutual. Not from a personal standpoint, but a business one.

Sean,Greensboro

11:30

Tom, don't the powers that be owe the fans a no holds barred press conference to discuss men's basketball and their vision if any for its future? The Trib and you surely are not going to let them get away with a wall of silence.?Thanks.

Tom Noie

11:30

Matt: No, because for all of their faults or holes in their games, Burton, Certa and Haralson were known ACC commodities. They had weaknesses, but they also had strengths. Sometimes, we saw them. We don't know how the Portal Five (trademark that one!) will fit. Will they? There's no other choice, right?

Matt - Kenosha, WI

11:28

In your opinion, are things better than they were one month ago?

Tom Noie

11:28

Jim: Not sure it matters to Notre Dame how it all plays out. There's one easy/quick/realistic fix to sidestepping the risk, but Notre Dame isn't going there. Ever. Since that is the case, you live with the results, whatever they will be.

Jim Reagan, Charlottesville VA

11:27

Hello Tom and all. I will compress a range of opinions and concerns into two questions. Why, do you think, that the University/Athletic Department has taken the risk that the upcoming Men’s 🏀 season could play out the same—or even worse—than last season? How do you expect them to manage the in-season tension if this comes to pass? Thanks for the consideration!

Tom Noie

11:25

J.J.: The sunshine pumper from Bristol!!! Love it. Fell off my office chair at the post. Solid. We need to see how big of a leap it is for all these guys to go from the mid-major to (in theory) high major hoops. There will be an adjustment. Also, how will Micah Shrewsberry coach this group? Love to see him just be like, let's just go play. If that happens, Notre Dame has a chance. The Irish are far beyond being counted out. Everybody believes they're cooked. Maybe that works in their favor.

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