JotCast | Notre Dame hoops fall chat

Notre Dame hoops fall chat

Thomas Noie

1:59

Thanks to everyone who joined today's chat. Solid effort all the way around. We'll circle back and maybe do it again in October. Have a question or comment that can't wait, drop me a note at tnoie@sbtinfo.com. Take care and stay healthy!

1:52

Shaky ground....I think to make this all work, you go with league games only (so every team follows the same testing protocols) and then get the four safest non-league games you have to play under NCAA guidelines. Figure two would be at home against teams that could make it a day trip. Then two others - say at Howard and at Kentucky?? Bringing four teams together for two games in a non-bubble situation is too big of a jump.

Bonkers in Yonkers

1:50

T-Bone, is there any insight on what the Crossroad Classic will look like in 2020? Hard to imagine a world (right now) when 4 teams will be traveling to a non-campus controlled site. Maybe a 1-year only on campus matchup?

Thomas Noie

1:35

IF: That's the big unknown....how college basketball is going to work through all this. Notre Dame football was providing a playbook the last couple of weeks. The numbers were low, there weren't any/many issues, practices were held and games played. Then it all blew up (for reasons that are still not known) this week. It goes from seven guys out against USF to maybe no practice to everything is shut down for the next two weeks. How did it happen? Notre Dame will use that information going forward. It's something every team, men and women, is going to have to deal with.

Illinois Fool

1:33

Are the Irish going to take extra Covid precautions especially as long as the other students are around? Any sort of outbreak (followed by contact tracing) would derail a season quickly considering how few players are on a squad.

Thomas Noie

1:24

IF: As the point guard/quarterback/facilitator, Hubb SHOULD be that guy, but don't know if that's in his game. Goodwin should evolve into that type of player, even if it's a shot-fake and a dribble or two before a pullup in the mid-range. That leaves Ryan the chance to take the opportunity and run with it.

Illinois Fool

1:23

One of the biggest problems the Irish seemed to have recently is a lack of someone who can drive it to the rim. Is Cormac that guy or do you see possibly Goodwin or Hubb taking a step forward in that regard?

Thomas Noie

1:22

Mark: I can't see it, not to the extent the ACC coaches want it where everybody gets in. It's going to be such a roll of the dice to get through the season and get to March that March, at least as we sit here at the end of September, needs to looked at and anticipated as being as normal as possible under the circumstances.

Mark Kruz from Mishawaka

1:21

Tom with everything thrown out of whack due to the pandemic is there any chance the NCAA tournament expands this season? Also has TJ Gibbs found a place to play abroad?

Thomas Noie

1:20

That doesn't make me Fredo, does it???? lol

Bonkers in Yonkers

1:20

And for Walter in Indy: I’m no rookie. I was live chatting with Tom Terrific when you were still running the motion offense. I’m Moe Green!!!

Thomas Noie

1:19

Wade: None that would suffice, because everyone wants recruiting to be better and the on-court success to be better and the NCAA tournament never to be missed. I digress, but you get the point. Recruiting isn't where you want it for the same reason there was no class to follow the current junior class. Not saying it's right, not saying it's wrong, but if you know Brey, if you know this staff, they're loyal to their guys to a fault. They needed to see exactly what they had in the junior class. They need to see what they have in the guys with eligibility remaining - Ryan, Wertz, the three freshmen. This isn't a program that's going to recruit over guys. A prospect fills a need (as Konieczny and Wesley do), go get them, then re-evaluate. That's how this staff operates.

Wadelite

1:16

Tom, is there any rationale you can provide for such a limited recruiting pool for the 2021 class and the pandemic is only a partial excuse. It sure seems Brey should have had more 2021 prospects in the mix than 2 guys from south bend and one from fort wayne. FWIW while I now reside in SoCal I am in south bend visiting with family until 10/11. Some nice weather so far.

Thomas Noie

1:15

So many variables....an offense that can routinely get to 80 without looking like a chore. Like, everything flows. The head coach able to tap into a rotation that he can ride without worry where all the pieces seem to fit and he's not grab-bagging trying to figure it out. And the more he wins, the more he's not going to shave. So there's that.

Bonkers in Yonkers

1:14

Tom Terrific, really interesting to hear that explanation about Coach Brey and how he looked to be almost out of gas but now could be refreshed. With that in mind, what would be indicators of a rejuvenated Coach Brey? 80+ ppg, recruiting success, clean shaven? I kid on the last one but you know what I’m saying!

Thomas Noie

1:05

Once in a lifetime team - just jump on and enjoy the ride. Those last three weeks went by in a blur. Those are the best kinds of seasons.

Bob,Royersford

1:04

Tom, Im a huge ND football fan, that 2015 basketball team is one of my all time favorite ND teams including football. The chemistry and leadership was outstanding. They were fun to watch

Thomas Noie

1:04

John: I know people are rooting for Robby Carmody, but it's going to be really, really hard to count on him moving forward given the injury history. Can he just get through a year healthy enough to practice? That has to be the first step. As for the two weeks, two additional weeks of practice would normally help, but the Irish are doing a lot of stuff in masks with social distancing still an issue. Everything this season regardless of time is going to be sllllooooooow. Deliberate. Careful. In many ways, it's about basketball, but not about basketball. It's worrying about so many other aspects of life just to get a chance to play basketball. Coaches may be teaching and players may be learning, but you know everyone has the same questions rattling around - what's it all going to look like? Can they get there?

John

1:00

In a way, do you think the two week setback will work out better for ND? It will give more time for Carmody for one, and I just think it will be better for everyone.

Thomas Noie

1:00

Mike: If the Ryan Ayers departure had anything to do with basketball, a disagreement, a recruiting violation, Notre Dame would put its best face on and move forward with some sort of explanation. We wish Ryan Ayers the best in his next step of his coaching career sort of thing. Saying nothing, again, really says a lot.

Mike

12:59

I know you can’t speculate on Ayers departure, but given it’s not a legal issue, the number of possible issues seem limited. 1). He had a serious falling out with Brey. 2) he had an inappropriate relationship with a student. 3). He committed some sort of recruiting no no. Not much else it could be IMO. I have heard he is telling people he left to pursue NBA opportunities, but that is all he is saying.

Thomas Noie

12:48

Bob: Good stuff. I'm on the record that if Notre Dame beats Kentucky that night in Cleveland, it wins the national championship. Easy to say now, yeah, but easy to see then. That team just had a look about them. A feel. A swagger. So much confidence.

Bob,Royersford

12:47

Hi Tom, you say final four is as good as it will ever get. I think the 2015 team if they beat Kentucky had a very good chance to win it all. Heck Butler has made a couple final fours

Thomas Noie

12:47

John: It will be a combination of Laszewski and Durham to fill Mooney's rebounding/double-double role. Though if Elijah Taylor or Matt Zona wanted to have their say, Mike Brey wouldn't mind.

John

12:47

Do you think it’s possible for one of the incoming freshmen to take over Mooneys role? They seem pretty big and pretty good, or do you think it will Nate or Juwan?

Thomas Noie

12:47

Off the top of my head, one really weird one I think of now that the NBA is in the Orlando bubble is an Old Spice Classic Game against California where Notre Dame led 21-5 at half! There's so many others - Chris Quinn going for 37 but the Irish losing at Pittsburgh in double overtime in 2006. The NIT loss to Holy Cross in front of select dozens that closed out the college career of Chris Thomas. The buzzer-beater loss to a Central Michigan team that would finish like 5-23. Kyle McAlarney hitting a school record 10 3s in the Maui Invitational but Notre Dame still not having any chance against North Carolina. nearly getting arrested one night trying to do post-game duties in Providence. So many memories. All good.

12:42

Walter: No, that 2012 game felt like Syracuse was there for the taking. Undefeated. The Orange weren't that good and Fab Melo, their starting center, was ruled academically ineligible that morning. Felt everything lined up for an Irish upset. There was some magic back in that building that night. Weird games/outcomes? Reaching for media guide as I type....give me a second.

Walter from Indy

12:40

I bet Bonkers also expects Tommy Terrific to tell us who killed Kennedy...smh rookie. Thom - is the 2012 upset of #1 Syracuse the weirdest game you ever covered? Noted stand-up comedian Alex Drago even played a big part in that game. What are some of the weirdest games/outcomes you've covered on the ND beat

Thomas Noie

12:40

John: See previous answer....thanks!

John

12:40

Tom, how many years do you think Brey still has in him? I love Brey and want the best for him, and I think he’s a phenomenal coach. But it’s really hard to see him coaching that many more years. Thoughts?

Thomas Noie

12:40

Jim: Depends on what happens the next two years. If this program is still treading water and flirting with 10-10 finishes in the Atlantic Coast Conference, then yeah, it's time to go a different direction.

Jim Reagan, Baton Rouge LA

12:39

Hi Tom. Ryan Ayers’ departure is probably troublesome, and this season suffers a pandemic curse. Afterward, in a new normal of some kind, do you think ‘24–‘25 is too long, for both Mike Brey and Notre Dame, to search for the next Coach?

Thomas Noie

12:39

Part II: Can't see fans (regardless of percentage of arena) being allowed in this season until we see what happens when the weather turns. The ONLY way sports has worked without much hiccup is keeping all fans away. Open up the arenas and you're opening yourself up to a potential super-spreader event. And sadly, hoops, even outdoor, has has to be shelved for me the last six months. Too big a risk to go play and may be bring the virus home to an at-risk household. Maybe one day....

12:36

Mark: Whew, there's a lot to unpack there. Pull up a chair. This might take some time. Teddy Valentine is too much the showman, but he's actually a pretty fair official. Like, if you get Teddy in a road game, a league road game, you knew you were going to get a fair shake. Mike Eades, Pat Driscoll, Michael Stephens, Roger Ayers, Ed Corbett. There have been some good ones in the Big East and ACC. If you got one of those guys, you knew it was a big game. Tim Higgins? One time he was good, but felt he lost a lot of his game late in his career.

Mark Kruz from Mishawaka

12:32

Tom I read this spring that long time official Mike Eades is hanging up the whistle to become supervisor of the SEC officials. In all the years you've covered the Irish who are the best and worst officials you've seen? I'm sure TV Teddy will be mentioned! With Indiana going to Stage 5 any chance fans allowed back? Hopefully its not students only since most of the games they bothered to barely show up!! Hope you're back to playing hoops.

Thomas Noie

12:31

Bonkers: Where you been? Been too long, but not long enough in regard to learning the true details behind why assistant coach Ryan Ayers is now former assistant coach Ryan Ayers.

Bonkers in Yonkers

12:30

Tom Terrific, it’s been awhile! I’m sure you’ve answered but I just joined so for those in the back: when do you think we will know why Coach Ayers left?

Thomas Noie

12:30

The pandemic was a massive factor in Brey's professional life. While it allowed Muffet McGraw to see life after hoops (and like that life), it had the opposite effect on Brey. It allowed him to recharge, take better care of himself and find a second or third or fourth wind that told him, yeah, I don't want to stop doing this just yet. Getting to 10-10 allowed him to believe they're a lot closer than some might think.

12:28

Steve: I thought he was at the end of the line in 2020 and that there may well be a coaching change/search had last season not just ended. Why think that? The previous year took so much out of him in going 3-15. Like everything he tried, nothing worked. The freshman didn't get any better and weren't ready. D.J. Harvey wasn't going to work out. Brey himself looked worn out, like part of him was thinking, heck, why bother. Then last year when they're 2-6 in the league and he gets banged the $20,000 for the Florida State post-game. Then the Florida State post-game here where Notre Dame just can't beat a ranked team. He had the look of someone who was like, why bother.....

Steve

12:26

Since the back-to-back Elite 8 years ND has been in a tailspin. We were all led to believe that high-ranking recruits would want to play at ND and that doesn't seem to be happening. Do you think that if ND missed the 2020 tournament, Brey may have considered retiring?

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