JotCast | Notre Dame men's basketball season opening chat

Notre Dame men's basketball season opening chat

Thomas Noie

1:37

That will do it for today's chat. Many thanks for all who dropped in for a few minutes. We'll circle back and have another one in a few weeks. Maybe the week after Notre Dame opens Atlantic Coast Conference play Dec. 3 at Boston College. Stay tuned!

1:02

Maggie: Thanks, which is why I have to couch everything when people ask about the excitement level of the season and the potential of this team. It would be one thing if this core had previously won 11, 12, 13 games in the ACC one year or played in the NIT. That's stuff you can build on. But to not have ever done it (NCAA) and then to HAVE to do it this year, that's a really big step. Do they realize it? Do they know how hard it really is? There's no margin for error with this group, or this season. They have to go and do something that they've never done. Do they have it in them? I don't know, because, well, they've never shown it. Ever.

Maggie, Oak Park

12:59

Not a question. Just wanted to say that I couldn't agree with you more that this core group really has not stepped up to show something in any way.

Thomas Noie

12:46

Matt: You're new around here, right? I've had a weird relationship with the student body and with the fan base in general. For so many years, this fan base seemingly was stuck in the 1970s and 1980s of college basketball independence. Where were the Adrian Dantleys and Davis Rivers of the Irish hoops world? Different time there, people. The student section? Fair weather on a good day. Yeah, they'll show up and show out for Duke and Carolina, but you can't just be there for the big games. The student body gonna student body like they always have. Even during the Elite Eight years, the fan experience at Purcell Pavilion was middle of the ACC road on a good day. The student body/local fans and I aren't just going to get along very well.....lol

Matt from Campus

12:43

Very bummed that the Duke and UNC games are over the school's Christmas break. Seems like those big name games are the only time we get better draws in the student section, not to mention it will be Coach K's last visit. Could a positive year rejuvenate the student body's interest in the team? I've been frustrated by the lack of attendance the last three years, but understand it some because we are a football school and some because the team has not been very good. What was the student section like in the back to back elite 8 years? Much better, somewhat better?

Thomas Noie

12:43

Tom: If not now, then when? Seems like I've typed that sentence in chats or emails now for the last few years. Honestly, I'm tired of waiting to see something - to see anything - from this core. Like, let's go already, right? They haven't gone to the NCAA tournament, but believe they can go to the NCAA tournament. OK, so how do they handle that? Wilt under pressure? Embrace it and thrive? Can't wait to find out.

Tom

12:41

I want to see focus and consistency from this season's team. Think ND can play with some urgency this year and get off to a good start?

Thomas Noie

12:41

Tyler: Good points. Fair points. I did a live Zoom on Wednesday and compared Matt Zona to a combination of Jack Cooley and John Mooney in terms of where he is in the early stages of his career. When Cooley and to an extent Mooney were young, there was zero indication that they would go on to have the college careers that they had. Nobody saw them coming, especially when they were underclassmen. I'd put Zona in that category. Give him time to grow his game and see what happens. Maybe nothing. Maybe something, but he's a long way off to being a rotational piece to this basketball puzzle. I'd look hard at the transfer portal in the offseason for a big with experience who could help.

Tyler from Michiana

12:38

Thank you for your time in answering all these questions. I say this with all respect to the young man. I think he’s a great kid & I think despite what happens with his progression in the program, he’ll spend his four/five years here & get his degree like your typical “Notre Dame man.” I believe he’s of that character as a student athlete. Great fit. But basketball wise, his game to me is just meh. I’m just not impressed. I think if he gets it figured out, it’ll be in year three or four like a Cooley or a Geben but even his ceiling feels lower than those guys. Zona is a low floor, low ceiling kinda guy IMO. Maybe he was recruited that way as depth as a “project” but I’d prefer to take a transfer reserve big with a higher floor & years of college experience. What’s your closest comp for Matt Zona?

Thomas Noie

12:21

Matt: Good stuff, and good to hear from you. I'll go with Meatloaf - two out of three, ain't bad - to address your question. Right on with winning all the non-league games you're supposed to win. No slip-ups allowed. Same with going 2-1 in Vegas, no matter who you play. I'd say getting two of the three out of Illinois, Kentucky and Indiana might be too much to ask - at least right now. The Illinois game will be the first time that this core will be in that type of road atmosphere against a really good team. How are they going to respond? Yeah, you want to win, but it's more important to play well. Not fall into early double-digit hole and then you spend the rest of the night trying to dig out of it. Kentucky? Win a big game at home. That's a must. But then we get to Indiana, which really is a road game. It's not a neutral site....it's all cream and crimson down there. But you get the experience in the Illinois and Indiana games to prepare for what's coming in the ACC. Let's see how it plays out.

Matt from Campus

12:17

You've discussed the schedule a bit already, but what would you say is successful outcome in the non-conference portion for this team? My thoughts of "successful" are win all the games you are supposed to, go 2-1 in Vegas, and take 2 of 3 of IU, Illinois, and Kentucky. Is that too high of a bar?

Thomas Noie

11:50

Greg: Good to hear from you. This should help you with what to watch for - https://tinyurl.com/3ex93b68. Wrote about that topic last week. They'll be better. Can't be any worse than last year, right?

Greg from New Jersey

11:49

Thanks for doing these chats Tom! Anything specific we should watch for relating to the improved defense? Of course, effort and technique need to improve, but have you seen or heard anything regarding specific strategies/philosophy? Pack-line principles or more aggressive ball-pressure/deny? Ice, switch or hedge ball screens? Anxious to see the new focus on defense so curious to see what Coach Slo has planned and what to look for to see if the players are executing....Go Irish!

Thomas Noie

11:48

Mike: It's easy to say now, I know, but I never looked at Juwan Durham and thought, whoa, he's going to be an issue for teams during his career. He was tall. He blocked a few shots. But he was who he was, and what he was. Limited athlete, limited scorer. Limited guy. Good guy, but not someone that was going to influence games. Atkinson's a different cat, in so many good ways. That he's 23 shouldn't be ignored. He just plays basketball. Doesn't look like he's out there sorting through his options as Durham seemed to do. Just play. Let it flow.

Mike from Rochester, NY

11:46

Tom, Juwan Durham never evolved into the inside force I think we all expected. Why was that and what does Paul Atkinson bring that should give us hope for a stronger inside game?

Thomas Noie

11:46

Justin: Honestly, all of them, because it's a journey to see how this team is going to do what it needs to do to get to the end, which is the NCAA tournament. I'm not one of those guys who's like, yeah, wake me in February when everything matters. The joy is in the journey. Who are these Irish going to be? Let's find out.

Justin, Ft Wayne

11:45

Tom, you have any games your really looking forward too?

Thomas Noie

11:44

He's fine....except when he gets on his Duke-colored soap box. But he's better than the alternative, and honestly, ESPN took a step back when Bill Raftery jumped to FOX.

Joey from Highland

11:44

I am a Jay Bilas fan but he’s a Duke alum. Not sure he should be doing their games. Thoughts?

Thomas Noie

11:43

Joey: I could watch that one possession during Notre Dame's second half run where all five guys touched the ball from five different areas of the floor before Steve Vasturia sticks the 3. The look on the face of Roy Williams that night in Greensboro Coliseum was like, how do I stop THAT????

Joey from Highland

11:42

I watched the ACC Championship game on YouTube. That team was soooo good. Take me back!

Thomas Noie

11:34

Chris: Laszewski first has to stop dribbling his way into issues that have no way out. There have been times in the exhibition where he has an open 3 on the wing or the corner, gives a pump fake, then dribbles toward the basket. He's shut off and now the good look he had is no look and it's a scramble. Laszewski has to keep it simple - see ball, shoot ball. I loved his game in the second exhibition where scoring points wasn't there, so he just went out and grabbed 15 rebounds. That's a big step when guys realize, OK, the offense might not be there tonight, so how can I impact games in other ways?

Chris , DC

11:32

Tom, How big of a year can Laszewski have with the addition of Atkinson? Thanks

Thomas Noie

11:32

Sigh....hard pass.

Dick from Detroit

11:32

Is Mike Brey really Ted Lasso in disguise?

Thomas Noie

11:32

Joey: Always miss a chance to talk hoops with you man. The ball does move better, in part because the Irish had a chance to practice and play together for the summer. That wasn't an option the previous offseason because of the pandemic, and it showed last year. Think Zona and Taylor are both back-end-of-the-rotation guys until they get a little more seasoning. Zona HAD to play at times last year. That won't be the case this year. Not with this group.

Joey from Highland

11:30

Hey Tom, miss me? I was at both exhibitions and I noticed the ball movement seems way more crisp this year. Hubb seems to be more confident in the other guys too. I was surprised Taylor was ahead of Zona, Zona seems to crash the boards like a mad man. Your thoughts?

Thomas Noie

11:30

Clint: Looking at last season's results and off the top of my melon, I can remember five games where if Notre Dame just defended even a little, it would've won - home against Ohio State, at North Carolina (one-point loss), at Georgia Tech (one-point loss), at Syracuse (Irish were up 20 in second half) and at Boston College (defense was optional). That flips an 11-15 record to 16-10. Those games now have to go Notre Dame's way.

Clint from Winnipeg

11:28

How many wins over last season do you think upgrading the defense to an "average" level can bring?

Thomas Noie

11:15

Jerrick: Can college basketball handle Maui Mike? Shirtless and running down the Strip with the tournament championship? Just beat Saint Mary's and worry about the next game. For now.

Jerrick

11:14

we winning maui??? i wanna see a shirtless brey!!

Thomas Noie

11:14

Robert: An edge. A hunger. A drive. An accountability level that former Irish coach Ryan Ayers never really secured with the guys. And he can recruit. Antoni Wyche was the lead assistant in getting Ven-Allen Lubin. He's been the ultimate grinder assistant at Siena and Lehigh. Expect more of the same - in the best of ways - now that he's back at his alma mater.

Robert from Michiana

11:13

We have seen what coach Solomon brings back to the program. What in your opinion will coach Wyche bring?

Thomas Noie

11:13

Robert: At 6-foot-8, 242, he certainly looks the part of a guy that's usually on the other teams in the ACC. He had seven rebounds in 12 minutes the first time out, then tallied one of the strangest stat lines I've ever seen with four fouls in seven minutes. Baby steps with Taylor. Remember, he didn't play at all last year after offseason ankle surgery. There's a lot there, though we might not see much of it this season. And that's OK. It will be a process with him.

Robert from Michiana

11:10

What have been your impressions of Taylor in practice and the two exhibitions?

Thomas Noie

11:10

Rick....I'll go 7.5 with good undercarriage and sauce....oooops....thought we were doing pizza. Nah, I'll still go 7.5 with ability to bump to an 8 between now and the first of the year.

Rick, Iowa City, IA

11:09

That time of year baby!!! Let's just get a few wins in "Maui" and take it from there! On a scale from 1-10, what's your confidence meter at in terms of this group reaching the NCAA Tournament? I'm at a 7!

Thomas Noie

11:09

Ryan: A lot to like, but a lot to be determined. There's so much age and experience back and new guys added to the mix, but this group never has done it over the long haul. That has to change to keep from being the same old Irish.

Ryan mars pa

11:08

Tom what do you think about this year’s team i think it will be good with hubb nate Atkinson wertz Goodwin Zona and everyone else I’m hoping they make the tournament go Irish

Thomas Noie

11:08

Rick: If the first six weeks are any indication, defense will take on a whole new priority with this group. Everything they do in practice starts with defense. That's a step in the right direction. Now build on it. This won't be a lockdown outfit, but they shouldn't be anywhere near the sieve-like team they were last year when they didn't stop anybody.

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