JotCast | Notre Dame December hoops chat

Notre Dame December hoops chat

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Aaron from elkhart

12:39

Cormac Ryan came in with high expectations this year. What has your assessment been of his play so far?

Thomas Noie

12:39

Steve: The same answer - less than zero because Mike Brey first would have to deviate from everything about his being as a head coach in terms of trust and loyalty. He's spent the last two-plus seasons trying to pump up Juwan Durham into believing he's a capable ACC-caliber big man. He even took Durham to ACC media day last year just so he'd feel more a part of everything. He preached patience from him when John Mooney was getting all the rebounds and national love last season, telling Durham he'll have that role next (this) season. Now six games in, he's going to bench Durham, then in essence kick him to the curb for an Ivy League big. Not saying it wouldn't help, just saying that's not the way this program usually operates.

Steve

12:37

I know you already discussed Paul Atkinson below and how recruiting a grad transfer is against the grain. But, hypothetically, if ND were to land him (and assuming he’s in good shape), how much of a difference could Atkinson make for the remainder of this season? Based on his numbers last year, I think it would be significant. Not automatically a tournament team, but a significant improvement and hope.

Thomas Noie

12:36

Coach: They're roommates so they obviously get along, but you're right about Hubb just kind of being there the last game. Like he was stung that someone besides himself could initiate the offense and create and go get something. Still not buying the whole he let the game come to him and focused on defense defense that we heard afterward.

Coach from Reading, PA.

12:35

Tom. How’s the chemistry look to you between Wertz and Hubb? Hubb looked a little disinterested during the last game when Trey started. Then puta up a big Z bird. Thanks

Thomas Noie

12:35

Fred: This wasn't supposed to be a year where you find out what the freshmen can do. That was what the summers are supposed to be for. This team was in more of a win-now-with-old-guys mode than throw the freshmen in and watch them sink or swim. That's not fair to the older guys. And Brey's always been about being fair

Fred

12:33

Tom, we will never find out what Matt and Tony can do when they are sitting. This team won’t win enough games to make the tournament. Why not use it as the summer that they lost. I just don’t see Durham winning any games for us. If they pull a Chris Doherty and leave. Here goes the number game again.

Thomas Noie

12:30

John: Unless its a five-star or high four-star guy who can help right away, it doesn't much matter. Any high school they may land in the spring likely is two years away, which is why the transfer/grad transfer route should've been tapped two years ago and continued. Use one scholarship a year for a grad transfer/transfer. That's how you stay old and get guys who can actually help.

John

12:29

Any other guys Brey is looking at for next year? We could really use a big man.

Thomas Noie

12:26

Ryan? Expected more but haven't seen it. Zona? Blank slate who won't get enough minutes to really show what he can do. At least, not this season.

Coach from Reading, PA.

12:25

Mike. I don’t think Durham helps this team. Matt Zona plays harder and can’t get on the floor. I have not seen the Cormac Ryan that Brey absolutely loves. What are your thoughts on those two guys? Thank you.

Thomas Noie

12:21

Coach: That's above my pay grade. Brey wanted to give the junior class maximum opportunity to deliver, so there was no real plan the year after other than to shoot the moon and try for a one-and-done guy. This year's freshman class was supposed to include Hunter Dickinson. Notre Dame had him. Until it didn't. Then you take a transfer to stay older. It still feels like they're two players short. Somewhere along the line, you've got to take a chance on somebody. Whoops, they did. But Chris Doherty was too homesick to stick it out.

Coach from Reading, PA.

12:19

Hi Tom. Merry Christmas. I don’t understand the lack of recruiting on this team. Has Mike Brey become lazy? 3 of our top 6 guys are transfers and both kids coming in next year are from South Bend. Does Mike have a mileage limit for recruiting? Our best player now in my opinion is Trey Wertz, a transfer. Can you explain it? Thanks a lot.

Thomas Noie

12:19

Welcome to roster management pandemic-style....2020 will be the year that we won't forget, even when it's gone.

Fred

12:18

Tom, on your answer to below. The junior class actually has 2 more years. Will that hurt 2022 recruiting. They say they are coming back then decide not to. By that time the recruits are committed to other schools.

Thomas Noie

12:18

John: Too early to tell, across the board. How does this year finish up? What about next year? Can see all three as being options. Just hard to project out. Do they want to stay an extra year? Does the staff want them to stay another year? As I mentioned earlier, there comes a time when classes run their course. We'll just have to wait and see.

John

12:17

Follow up on my previous question. Do you think Prentiss and the boys will stay for the extra year, or go pro or transfer?

Thomas Noie

12:14

David: Were you the guy yelling three seconds behind the east basket of Purcell Pavilion the last few years when the media used to sit down there? No, I know that guy. Honestly, I've not noticed it. I'd rather refs not call stuff than sit through another whistle. Let the game flow more.

David Garnett

12:13

Hi Tom, is it only me or are there many 3-second calls and carrying over calls that are missed constantly every game i watch? it is so obvious to me. why isn't it obvious to the three officials who are watching the same game as i am?

Thomas Noie

12:13

Walter: I'm probably going to forget one or two or three along the way after 23 seasons. Home game? Maybe the five-overtime win against Louisville just for the absurdity of it, like, you didn't think it was ever going to end. Road game? Maybe the 2016 win at Cameron Indoor Stadium where the crazies just kind of fell silent. League road wins are the best kind of wins where the only ones making noise are the Irish bench and their small smattering of fans. Close second was 2011 when they won at Connecticut on Senior Night. Neutral site? No brainer and will never be topped - Kentucky at Quicken Loans Arena. The energy/anticipation that night was off the charts. Still get chills just thinking about it.

Walter from Indy

12:10

In terms of atmosphere/game (win or loss), what is the best home game, road game, and neutral site game you've covered in your time on the ND beat

Thomas Noie

12:09

Tom: How about covering this program. It's the same old, same old, same old. They're a player short against Ohio State and Purdue. Maybe two short against Duke. Thing is, inside Rolfs Hall, they believe they have enough to win.

Tom from Gary, Ind.

12:08

I think the frustrating thing from a fan's perspective this season and last is the Irish play just good enough to lose against some of the top teams. Like there is talent, you see it in the first halves against Ohio St. and Kentucky that gives you hope. Then you see the lead evaporate, the 3s stop falling, double dribbles, tired players, stupid mistakes and you know it isn't going to end well. Like a bad dream. I can just imagine what is going through Brey's head.

Thomas Noie

12:08

John: It's not just the Notre Dame program, but every program. Essentially, it's that this year does not count in terms of eligibility. If you're a fifth-year senior, you have a chance to come back for one more year next season. If you're a senior, you have another year. If you're a junior, you have two more years and so on. Now, that doesn't mean fifth-year guys will automatically choose to return, and players also will have the option of transferring without having to sit out at season's end. It's all going to be one big roster management headache moving forward. Just look at this way - this year doesn't count. It's a zero year.

John

12:06

So I know the NCAA gave winter sports athletes their years back, but what exactly does that mean for the Notre Dame program? Does this mean that they will have two more years after this season is over? I’m very confused on this, and it would be very helpful if you explained it. Thank you!

Thomas Noie

12:06

Absolutely. Nothing like a hoops game that you can cover, take a deep breath afterward and write a column that will still get in before deadline for the next day's paper. This time Wednesday, will be courtside....well, as courtside as we get at Purcell Pavilion.

Walter from Indy

12:04

Will you be inside the JACC live-tweeting the Bellarmine game for us?

Thomas Noie

11:57

Bellarmine's coming up here to get into Notre Dame. They're active and aggressive and won't be intimidated. Notre Dame had to struggle to win by 10 last year. If you want your typical non-league laugher, this might not be it.

John

11:56

Kinda nervous about this Bellarmine game tomorrow, but I don’t know why. How do you think the 12pm game will go?

Thomas Noie

11:56

Walter: All true, but don't discount not having a summer to lock themselves in the gym and play together. Like, get Hubb, Wertz, Goodwin, Ryan and Laszewski all on one pickup team and play all day, or run 5-on-0 dummy offense for a few hours. Drive and kick and find shooters, then swing it and swing it again the way those 2015-16 teams did. For as veteran a team as this is, they still play in ways that they just all met one another an hour earlier.

Walter from Indy

11:54

Yes it's time!! I'm fired up! Clip those last few sentences and have Brey put it word for word into his pregame Virginia speech! This team just didn't have the benefit of learning BBB (beautiful brey ball) from upperclassmen. They were thrust in right away. It's no wonder this team lacks the awareness to drive and kick, space and cut properly, play inside out, outside in, make the extra pass...we were spoiled on offense for years. I'd lock them in a room and make them watch 12 straight hours of old game highlights.

Thomas Noie

11:50

Fred: For now, I'd say unless a can't-miss transfer/grad transfer (what are the odds of that happening) shows itself in the coming weeks, they move forward with Taylor and Zona as the backup big option for 2021-22. We're not going to know anything about Taylor and maybe only a little more about Zona. Have to figure out what they can offer before eyeing other bigs.

Fred

11:48

Tom, have you heard any news on bringing in a big next year? Or was Saturday’s starting 5 the sign for next year. Matty and Elijah would be the back ups?

Thomas Noie

11:48

Jim: Good stuff. And you're so right. Except, there's the Kentucky game, which may be more of an indictment on where the UK program is than where the Irish program was supposed to be going. But I had a feel that Notre Dame was going to win that one - one reason I was actually at that game. Just had a feeling that they were ready to take that next step after losing to Ohio State. Then they played like that, and figured, another step beckoned. And it hasn't happened. That's been the most frustrating. Instead of building off winning at Rupp, they've looked too much like that 2018-19 team. They were out of it almost from the start against Duke. And you never got the sense they were going to do enough over extended minutes to beat Purdue. They lack leadership, from all levels. They lack want-to on the defensive end.

Jim Tal, Valley Center, CA.

11:44

Hi Tom, by the way, I've also enjoyed your work on the podcasts about ND football. From the outside, it just seems that something intrinsic has been missing from the Irish the last few years. Call it what you want - confidence, belief, knowing that you'll consistently compete - it just isn't there. When the Irish take the court there's isn't any certitude about how they will perform or what they will look like from game-to-game. That's a mindset and a conviction and ND is bereft of it. Any thoughts? And can't these guys at least show a little bit more heart and determination when it comes to crashing the boards and getting after it at the defensive end. That's the least they can do. Thanks.

Thomas Noie

11:35

Walter: Good point, but Mike Brey will be ready with his standard response - they don't necessarily run stuff for guys for the sake of getting guys going. It's more flow of offense stuff. Other than the obvious - getting to March in any way, shape or form would be a successful season during a pandemic. Six games in, I'm a little more optimistic that getting Wertz and settling on some semblance of a rotation will allow everything to settle in where roles are defined and an identity is, well, identified. To the point where they can beat a ranked team and finish league play at 11-9. Like, this it's time this junior class delivers. Juwan Durham delivers. Raise the expectation level and go compete in the league where you've had it handed to you. Enough with being worked over by "better" teams. Be one of those better teams. Isn't it time?

Walter from Indy

11:31

When the offense is struggling for stretches I would love to see more of a focus on setting something up for Dane or Nate. But to my question! Seeing what we've seen through 6 games now, and operating in a pandemic, what would you constitute as a successful season for this team?

Thomas Noie

11:31

Matt: BUT IT'S ONLY 0-24!!!!!!!!!! LOL. All the best to you my man!

Matt from MA

11:30

Tom, I read your response to my three partner. Glad it wasn't an airball; wanted to come out swinging in the first few minutes. I am not an expert at all, and you know far more than I do about this team and program, but a few things just really jump out big picture.... 1) There is not enough quality depth in the ND program to compete in ACC. 2 guys off bench and sometimes 6 scholarship players isn't enough. It's why they lost Ohio St game in my opinion because we were gassed down stretch. 2) Brey seems stubborn to a fault. Self evaluation is the toughest and worst part of any job, but I think it's necessary. Brian Kelly had to really look in the mirror after '16. He made changes and they are in CFB twice in next 4 years. Leonard Hamilton down in Tallahassee said he needed to change things and the way he coached...at like 74 years old. It can be done. I'm not expecting a Final Four, but 0-27 against ranked teams just screams time to make changes. Brey has to see that and know it. Merry Christmas, Tom.

Thomas Noie

11:25

Jake: A broken kneecap, a shredded ACL and a torn labrum is why not. And he's not going to be cleared to go full-on five-on-five until February. Asking him to step in for even 10 minutes at that point is a big ask, regardless of where everything is on Feb. 1.

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