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Notre Dame hoops preseason chat

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joe from the south side

12:29

Tom: Voting is in. All-time Dayton Flyer Basketball greats: 1. Rosey Chapman, 2. Jim Paxson, 3. Obi Toppin, 4. Tom Noie, 5. Scoochie Smith (just for the name)

Thomas Noie

12:29

Michael: I'd contend that Gibbs and Pflueger never really got any better. We never saw, and the staff never saw, what they needed to offer to get this team back to the NCAA tournament. Look at Gibbs. A lot of numbers, yeah, but not even a single postseason all-league spot. Or even a vote. That says a lot. And Notre Dame's best lineup this year may well be going four perimeter players around one big and just moving and cutting and running. Just open the floor and go with Hubb and Ryan tag-teaming as handlers and other guys running to spots.

Michael from Chicago

12:27

Hi Tom, great to be back. Thanks for spending time with these. Found your answer about the departures of Gibbs and Rex and introduction of Ryan possibly increasing the ceiling for this team incredibly interesting, as that is a (perhaps pie in the sky) thought I’ve had about this year’s roster, especially if Wertz is available too. Though Mooney was productive, I also can’t help but be excited that ND will be using less lineups with 2 traditional bigs and have 2 stretch four types in Laszewski and Zona soaking up more minutes. What are the chances we see a return to the more free flowing and better shooting 14-16 offenses?

Thomas Noie

12:26

Oh, I'm selling it my man. Hard. You not buying? lol Honestly, it's church-league hoops. Not a D-II game somewhere, so there's that.

Wadelite

12:26

FWIW with the perimeter players nd will have next season it would be pointless for Djogo to pursue a 6th year at nd. The big man roster situation in 20-21 is much different. Fyi I have no doubts you are a very good hoop player, but dont sell it like dan Patrick did with his stint on the eastern Kentucky jv team. You'd think from his comments dan Patrick was the ohio version of kyle macy.

Thomas Noie

12:25

And more....Thomas Kurowski plays at Sturgis because that's where Keith teaches and coaches. Word is Thomas is going Division III and playing at the University of Chicago. Only other school he visited was Princeton. And he's about 6-6 now. Kid can really play, especially when he's around guys twice his age.

Wadelite

12:24

Fyi on keith kurkowski. His son plays for sturgis high school. Averaged 28 ppg as a junior. Ranked #11 in Michigan 2021 class. 6'4 combo guard with ivy league interest.

Thomas Noie

12:24

Justin: Tick, tick, tick....clock's ticking, right? Think the Notre Dame plan for Michigan State was to go up and back with no overnight stay - pre-game meal on campus, bus up, step off the bus and go warm up and play, which leads me to think that's a 7 p.m. tip. Same with the Tennessee game, which is a Friday night (Dec. 4). Believe that Tennessee is playing two nights earlier in Indianapolis against Gonzaga, so it'd be a tough sell (though great for us) if it was an afternoon tip. And the Kentucky game is trending toward either a noon or 2:30 tip at Rupp Arena. The others? Let's get on it already!

Justin, Ft Wayne

12:22

Any word on when maybe the tip times will be announced or first couple games like Michigan St. and Tennessee? Also would have to think ND will heavily be on national TV this year, you think?

Thomas Noie

12:22

Dan: He's currently on the six-year clock, but probably not going to be a six-year guy.

Dan - Chicago

12:21

With Carmody having missed the majority of his first two years and with no one losing any eligibility this year, will he still have four years to play after this year? Can he surpass Martin for years in college?

Thomas Noie

12:02

Roy: Keith had a little of everything during his time here. Knee, back, heart. Still is out there running around with us other clowns on a routine basis. His son's a senior in high school and has a lot of his dad's pure skills. Good dude. Good family.

Roy Mabrey

11:58

Hi Tom . First timer . Keith Kurowski there’s a name a haven’t heard of in ages . Tremendous talent out of CBA , Jersey Shore . I think he ultimately had a heart problem. His sister was a player too .

Thomas Noie

11:53

Joe: Amen my man, knocking on wood but at 52, I've never had so much as a tweaked hamstring. No surgeries. No breakdowns. No injuries. Run about 25 miles a week, and usually play pickup (outdoor blacktop courts) twice a week in the summer, twice a week indoors when it's not a pandemic. Once hung 27 on Keith Kurowski in a church-league game. Could dunk with relative ease during my college days. And tight (double rims) don't matter to shooters!

joe from the south side

11:50

Tom: I am jealous of you (for many reasons) but at 60+ with multiple back and shoulder surgeries (too many curveballs as a young guy) my BBL playing days are over. My love for the game, however, will never be diminished. That said, I preferred creaky old gyms that had bad lighting, dead spots on the floor and tight rims. It's all about character man!

Thomas Noie

11:50

Quick side not - keep the questions and comments coming. I'll get to them, but I have to break away for about 10-15 minutes at noon for a Brian Kelly Zoom call. Then it's all hoops the rest of the afternoon. Who's with me????

11:49

Possible, but not probable. See above, or below however the questions/answers roll through. I can't seen Durham or Djogo sticking around for 2021-22. Sometimes, it's time for the next chapter in life. Would be surprised if either of them decided that next chapter included another year of college.

Wadelite

11:48

If the ncaa rule is accurate about everyone gaining an extra season, is it possible Durham playing at ND for a 4th season? He would essentially be on a college path similar to Scott Martin, except he has a lot less minutes played in the 4 years he was eligible to play.

Thomas Noie

11:41

Wait, you can have TWO walk-ons? Seriously? lol

Wadelite

11:41

One of the Brey roster issues is he often does not have enough to have a 5 on 5 practice. It ends up an assistant such as Martin or Ayers having to play. How about having 11 SS players every season who could play. You can hold one or two out unless absolutely needed later. Perhaps a sit out transfer for practice and wait for it...two walkons.

Thomas Noie

11:41

Tim: There's one guy and it's not even close for second or third or fourth. It's Anthony Solomon, who was able to squeeze everything out of guys in terms of talent and toughness. This program's not been the same without him. And this program hasn't gone to a Sweet 16 without him. He was able to reach guys that other assistants haven't. Slo's the man.

Tim from Chicago

11:39

In your opinion, who has been the most impactful assistant coach during your tenure covering the team?

Thomas Noie

11:39

Wade: When it comes to the NCAA and red tape involving transfers, anything's possible. Notre Dame originally chose not to pursue immediately eligibility for Wertz, who was set on sitting out and then playing two years. Then Carmody happened. Then Taylor happened and Brey started thinking, man, we're one more injury away from having to rely heavily on walk-on Elijah Morgan. Thus, the proposal sent through the NABC to have all transfers eligible for roster management. As for the odds Notre Dame brings in an immediate transfer? I've been wrong (and a lot) about bringing in immediate help right away. I said all options had to be on the table after this team went 3-15 in the league couple years ago and they did....nothing. True, that us media dopes really don't know much.

Wadelite

11:36

Tom, I thought it was a done deal that every 20-21 college will receive an extra year to play if they want it. Since the NCAA is giving waivers to essentially everyone, should it not be a deal that Wertz plays this season and two more? It seems this supercedes Brey's hands on deck proposal. Curious is it possible ND may be hosed on the Wertz immediate eligibility request because they opted not to pursue it before this extra season was approved? Also, what are the odds ND brings in an immediate eligible big man transfer for 21-22. They need to more than ever before.

Thomas Noie

11:25

Joe: I'd ALWAYS be available for a run....and would stay until the last game of the night. It's one of the aspects of this pandemic that's hit me in the gut. My wife's in the high-risk category which means no pickup for me for the last eight months and counting. God, do I miss it. Even if we had too many guys. I subscribe the Brey philosophy for pickup - less is more. Give me 10 core guys instead of another 10 waiting to play. Throw the ball up on a high humidity, no wind summer night and let's go! Sorry, I digress.

joe from the south side

11:23

Tom: Point taken. However, what we have seen over the last few years is a bit embarrassing. Injuries, defections and now a pandemic, all the more reason to get at least close to 13. Reminds me of some of the leagues I've played in. Sam had to work late. Bill is at his daughter's soccer game. Tom hurt his back cutting grass. Joe does not feel like playing.......Maybe it's time to rethink running that lean.

Thomas Noie

11:23

Tim: Still to be determined. They have to start winning and beating ranked teams and getting to the NCAA tournament before they're in any conversations.

Tim from Chicago

11:22

Can the current Junior class which was supposed to be a breakthrough recruiting class (Hubb, Laz, Carmody, Goodwin) still go down in ND history as one of the best?

Thomas Noie

11:22

In a season set up for strangeness all around, I can see it happening. The Irish suddenly go from maybe not having enough guys to almost having too many. It would be a good problem to have if Zona is as good as we've heard and Wertz gets eligible and Carmody stay healthy and offers something. This program's overdue for a season like that, right?

Jake

11:21

So, with what you mentioned about there being more room for less rotation with inevitable cancellations, And with what we’ve heard about zona, if wertz gets eligibility, could the bench end up being a strength this season? I could see 2020 wertz and zona being better than 2019 goodwin and laszewksi. And then add in any bonus we get from Carmody (the thought of 6th man not too long ago), djogo (brey’s 6th man pick at one point) and even sanders, (maybe even Morgan, though I’ll see it when I believe it with a walk on playing, even him) and I think the bench, what many have thought would be our biggest weakness could end up a strength.

Thomas Noie

11:21

Tim: Great question, and really, so many to choose from. I follow/track/keep in touch with a lot of the guys after they leave Notre Dame. Few stories come to mind - Torin Francis willing himself to play professionally for like 13 years after some thought he might not ever play again when he had back surgery. Pat Connaughton just flat-out believing he had a place in the NBA and then proving it. Dennis Latimore becoming a teacher/educator/coach in Los Angeles area. Talked with principal of high school where he worked couple years ago and she just raved about what a role model he was. Here, he was kind of aloof. Different. Thoughtful. Introspective. In my job, you don't root for guys when they're here, but I root for a lot of them after they leave. I'll hit send on this response and think of five more guys that should be included. That's the kind of person you get to know on this beat. It's about more than just basketball for them.

Tim from Chicago

11:17

Hi Tom - thank you for the chats...one more Q if you are able to squeeze it in this morning....I love that ND guys usually stay four years, feel like you get to know them a bit more than one and dones. Is there a particular player or two from the past whose storyline you continued to follow after graduation from ND that impresses you the most, either on or off the court?

Thomas Noie

11:14

Justin: Here's your chance, JD....go do it. He wasn't always happy having to take a backseat to John Mooney last season and felt he should play/do more. Now he gets his chance. Be a difference-maker other than blocking shots. Grab some rebounds. Score in the post, not just on that baseline jumper. He had a tendency to slip into the shadows at times last season. Can't do that now. Deliver.

Justin, Ft Wayne

11:11

Hey tom, i feel like Juwan isn’t talked about enough. Mike Brey continuously brought him up during the zoom. What do you see from him this season?

Thomas Noie

11:11

Joe: Does Ryan Mabrey have a certain McDonald's All-American guard that he brings with him like Torres did? Hey, just being honest there my man....no Demetrius Jackson, no Austin Torres. As for the get to 13 scholarships shot, understood, but maybe unfair. Brey hates, hates, hates, the 13 scholarship thing. Max out at 13 and those are too many guys to try and keep happy, and a lot more phone calls from disgruntled moms and dads about why their son is at the end of the bench. Give me 10 guys who can play (and most importantly, stay healthy) over the 13-man option.

joe from the south side

11:09

Tom: On Ryan Mabrey, he is not going to contribute so much on the floor as he will in the classroom. I just think he fits the description of "Brey recruits a certain type of player." Look Austin Torres had to know he was a 4 year role player. Sometimes you take a good kid because he is a good kid. Besides, Brey can't get to 13 scholarships if his life depended on it.

Thomas Noie

11:09

Jake: Very little. He was on the list of working/running/growing questions I had for Mike Brey during our Monday Zoom media call, but we ran out of time and opportunity to ask. Typically, Sanders would be a lock as a fifth-year guy, especially because Brey recruited him having never seen him play or meet him in person. This year, though, think he's in the minutes mix. He has to be.

Jake

11:07

What have you heard about tony sanders jr so far, what do you think his role could look like this season?

Thomas Noie

11:07

Joe: Still remains to be seen. Notre Dame hasn't committed to what Purcell Pavilion will look like in terms of fan attendance, but the Irish hockey team opens the season Friday (tomorrow) and will not have anyone outside player families in the Compton Ice Arena stands. We (the media) have been told that we'll be able to cover games as close to normal as possible. We'll be wearing masks and be spaced out around the inner concourse of Purcell Pavilion. I'm planning on same situation on the road, which is one reason I traded the football trip to North Carolina on Black Friday so as to cover the season opener the next day (likely night) at Breslin Center.

joe from the south side

11:05

Tom: How are you guys covering the games this year? What restrictions are in place?

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