ND Men's Basketball 2014-15 Season

[Ndaccountant]

Quick Thoughts:

1 - Nice to win a game by a comfortable margin. Yes, WF cut into the lead at the end, but there wasn't much drama.

2 - Also nice to win with Jackson not playing his best offensive game. For that matter, the team wasn't that superb either, something like 41% from the floor.

3 - Overall effort seemed to be a bit improved with the time off. While the D wasn't anything to write home about, there was more effort it seemed on some steals and rebounding. It was good to see

4 - This game is a perfect example of why teams shouldn't let ND play up tempo. While still not shooting great, the second half spurt where ND nailed a few threes while Wake appeared to be panicking was the difference. ND will have at least one spurt like that a game if teams allow them to run up and down the floor. I will be shocked if we see ND playing at that tempo in the Tourney.

5 - I still don't get why Brey doesn't double the post more. Our defense is Charmin soft in the paint and we will lose in March when we are having an off night and the other team is scoring in the paint.

6 - Grant is dynamic and his year will be nearly impossible to duplicate in the future by any player. That said, the athleticism that Jackson and VJ show is certainly fun to watch and bodes well for the future. I really think VJ is going to be a scoring machine if he gains strength. His shooting is lights out but he is slowly learning to drive more. If he develops a 15ft jumper of a dribble or two, look out.

 

[Henges24]

Quick Thoughts:
6 - Grant is dynamic and his year will be nearly impossible to duplicate in the future by any player. That said, the athleticism that Jackson and VJ show is certainly fun to watch and bodes well for the future. I really think VJ is going to be a scoring machine if he gains strength. His shooting is lights out but he is slowly learning to drive more. If he develops a 15ft jumper of a dribble or two, look out.

I was impressed with VJ last night. Like you said, he is slowly developing into a great player and will be an awesome player in the future. They will be a great duo in the future but ND needs to get some big men. A transfer, IMO, is crucial next year. PC won't be there to steal all the rebounds and I just don't believe the freshman are athletic enough to have a major impact on the rebound game. It's tough watching ND get manhandled every game while giving up offensive rebounds over and over again for 2nd chance points.

 

[ResLife Hero]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Congrats to our captain, Pat Connaughton, on being named a finalist for the Julius Erving Award (top small forward). <a href="http://t.co/IB8WZSADEW">pic.twitter.com/IB8WZSADEW</a></p>— Notre Dame MBB (@NDmbb) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDmbb/status/568070385029255170">February 18, 2015</a></blockquote>
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[ACamp1900]

Can anyone explain how ND is in the top 10 in every poll out there but isn't even ranked in the CBS poll...??

NCAA College Basketball Rankings - CBSSports.com

 

[ResLife Hero]

Can anyone explain how ND is in the top 10 in every poll out there but isn't even ranked in the CBS poll...??

NCAA College Basketball Rankings - CBSSports.com

Apparently we're 27 in however they calculate RPI, and I'm assuming it's a computer formula because there are a couple teams ranked in RPI way out of line with their ranks in the other polls.

Edit: Them having our SOS ranked at 98 probably is a major factor.

 

[irishfan]

Our computer numbers are still solid, but not great. Still worried about us being one of those teams who ends up 1-2 seeds lower than projected.

RPI: 26
SOS: 113 (RPI's SOS rank per ESPN)
KenPom: 20
BPI: 16

Edit: posted this as ACamp brought up the CBS RPI poll. RPI is a little archaic, but I know it's still one the top criteria used by the committee unfortunately. I think due to this we've got to go 3-1 and make the ACC finals, or go 4-0 and lose a close one in the ACC semis to get a #3 seed.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Our computer numbers are still solid, but not great. Still worried about us being one of those teams who ends up 1-2 seeds lower than projected.

RPI: 26
SOS: 113 (RPI's SOS rank per ESPN)
KenPom: 20
BPI: 16

Edit: posted this as ACamp brought up the CBS RPI poll. RPI is a little archaic, but I know it's still one the top criteria used by the committee unfortunately. I think due to this we've got to go 3-1 and make the ACC finals, or go 4-0 and lose a close one in the ACC semis to get a #3 seed.

Yea I think this is going to be interesting as how the other teams play will be critical.

I think KU, Duke, UVA, Gonzaga, Wisc and Nova will be slotted ahead of us for sure. That leaves six spots for the other 2 seeds and four 3 seeds. That means we are competing with the likes of Kansas, Utah, UNC, Ville, Zona, OU, UNI, WSU and maybe Maryland.

To me, I think Duke beats UNC twice and that takes UNC out of it. OU plays at ISU and home against KU still this year before their tourney. I think they lose both. So for them to get a 3 they are going to need to have a monster run in their conference tourney. Possible, but not likely IMO. That leaves Utah, Zona, Lville, UNI, WSU, ND and perhaps Maryland for 6 spots. I think one of UNI/WSU gets 2/3 seed.

There is usually one or two teams that surge the two weekends, so we need to keep that factored in. But if ND gets to the semi's and only has one more reg season loss, just not sure how they get jumped as the other teams play their way out.

 

[lcaps20]

Was reading an article on grantland today, i think it was by mark titus, but he said there was a mock selection committee of 40 or so college basketball writers and they had ND as a 5 seed. He was in complete disbelief, but said it seemed to be a consensus among the committee. Ill try to link the article later if i can find it.

 

[irishfan]

Was reading an article on grantland today, i think it was by mark titus, but he said there was a mock selection committee of 40 or so college basketball writers and they had ND as a 5 seed. He was in complete disbelief, but said it seemed to be a consensus among the committee. Ill try to link the article later if i can find it.

Just came here to post it! Titus is great, definitely one of the more informed and amusing writers out there. Whole article is a must-read as he really goes into detail on the selection process.

Titus’s Top 12 NCAA Rankings: Mock Selection Sunday Edition «

11. Notre Dame

The mock selection committee had Oklahoma ranked as the best 3-seed and had Notre Dame as the worst 4-seed. A small contingent wanted to put Oklahoma State above Notre Dame, which would’ve bumped the Irish down to a 5-seed. This is the same Notre Dame team that holds a 23-4 record. It has sole possession of second place in the toughest conference in America. It beat Duke and won at North Carolina. It has no bad losses. I wouldn’t blame you one bit if reading all of this makes you question the validity of the mock selection process. I had a similar reaction. At one point, I got so upset with Notre Dame’s ranking on our board that I turned to Mandel and asked him if everyone on the committee was shitting me. Mandel confirmed that there was no shitting going on. The committee seriously thought that Oklahoma was seven spots better than Notre Dame. YET SOMEHOW I’M THE CRAZY ONE.

What upset me most about Notre Dame being disrespected is that everyone on the committee seemed to be contradicting his or her own standards. Oklahoma was ranked so high because of quality wins? Notre Dame has two wins better than OU’s best win. Utah got a 3-seed because it has no bad losses? Neither does Notre Dame. I have my doubts about whether the Irish can reach the Final Four, but how can you look at their résumé and almost give them a 5-seed? Is it because the Irish played a weak nonconference schedule? That would be a damning detail only if they had lost some of those early games. Instead, they went 12-1, with the only loss being a one-point defeat to NCAA tournament–bound Providence, in which LaDontae Henton played the game of his life and a questionable no-call affected the outcome. You want to talk schedules? Notre Dame has played 14 games in the ACC and is ahead of Duke, Louisville, and North Carolina in the standings — and the mock selection ranked those three teams higher than the Irish!

A 23-4 ACC TEAM WAS ALMOST GIVEN A 5-SEED AND I WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN A ROOM WITH ABOUT 40 COLLEGE BASKETBALL PEOPLE WHO SEEMED TO CARE.

Another good part:

One of the mock selection committee’s initial tasks was for each member to vote on the top eight teams. This vote was unanimous. Every person in the room agreed that, barring a catastrophic change, the 1- and 2-seeds in this year’s NCAA tournament will be Kentucky, Virginia, Duke, Wisconsin, Gonzaga, Villanova, Kansas, and Arizona, in some order. This was a surprise to the NCAA people, who told us it’s extremely rare for the real committee to reach a unanimous vote on anything. This should tell you how big the gap is between these eight teams and the rest of the field this season.

 

[RDU Irish]

Lots of bias out there and we have a lot of history to overcome to get the respect we deserve. If we want to be a Top 10 team, solid #3 (or sneak into a #2) we need to play in the ACC finals and show well, if not win it. Fast approaching put up or shut up time and I see no reason a Jerian Grant lead team won't put up.

 

[irishfan]

HUGE win by Syracuse beating Louisville tonight. No matter what happens down the stretch with teams, a 3-1 finish for ND guarantees us a Top-3 seed in the ACC Tourney. So big. We can now avoid a brutal 4/5 quarterfinal game against a UNC or Louisville.

 

[NDGOLDEN]

HUGE win by Syracuse beating Louisville tonight. No matter what happens down the stretch with teams, a 3-1 finish for ND guarantees us a Top-3 seed in the ACC Tourney. So big. We can now avoid a brutal 4/5 quarterfinal game against a UNC or Louisville.

Yupppp very huge win. Gonna be nice we can guarantee a double bye if we win the next two right? If I'm not mistaken

 

[NDdomer2]

Quick Thoughts:

5 - I still don't get why Brey doesn't double the post more. Our defense is Charmin soft in the paint and we will lose in March when we are having an off night and the other team is scoring in the paint.

I thought one of the announcers yesterday said NDs 3pt D is worst in ACC. Doubling the post isn't going to help that. But, I guess if you are already giving the long ball up, why not double down?

 

[BobbyMac]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Congrats to our captain, Pat Connaughton, on being named a finalist for the Julius Erving Award (top small forward). <a href="http://t.co/IB8WZSADEW">pic.twitter.com/IB8WZSADEW</a></p>— Notre Dame MBB (@NDmbb) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDmbb/status/568070385029255170">February 18, 2015</a></blockquote>
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How is this award not named the Larry Bird award?

.

 

[heygipper]

Yupppp very huge win. Gonna be nice we can guarantee a double bye if we win the next two right? If I'm not mistaken

We pretty much have a top 3 seed locked up, even with a 2-2 finish, unless Louisville beats Miami and Virginia in addition to us. It's much more likely that we play Louisville first game as the 3-6 matchup than either UNC or Louisville overtaking us for the 3 seed

 

[NDinMich]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Congrats to our captain, Pat Connaughton, on being named a finalist for the Julius Erving Award (top small forward). <a href="http://t.co/IB8WZSADEW">pic.twitter.com/IB8WZSADEW</a></p>— Notre Dame MBB (@NDmbb) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDmbb/status/568070385029255170">February 18, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Sport coat + t shirt > sport coat + mock turtleneck.

 

[ResLife Hero]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Congrats to JG on being named a FINALIST for the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award.

<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IrishTrophyHaul?src=hash">#IrishTrophyHaul</a> <a href="http://t.co/POGQZuEFrK">pic.twitter.com/POGQZuEFrK</a></p>— Notre Dame MBB (@NDmbb) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDmbb/status/568424786415775744">February 19, 2015</a></blockquote>
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[RDU Irish]

Announcers last night were great "how do you stop Okafor?!?!" Pretty simple, FOUL FAST - kid was choking hard on the free throw line. Sure seemed to disappear a lot also. One-on-one he is unstoppable, but he gives up pretty fast against the double teams (not necessarily a bad thing considering options opened up by the double).

Don't get me wrong, I would take him with the #1 pick without hesitation - really can't miss lottery pick that anyone would be insane to skip over.

Watching Duke/UNC and ISU/OKST really helps me appreciate our offensive efficiency and offensive depth. Our ability to spread the ball around and make high percentages outside the paint is very impressive. My eye test has us better than ISU/UNC/OKST and not far behind Duke if all teams played their best game. Duke's problem is they are too damn young and have little bench depth. I don't think they can keep it together enough to make a final four run this year. If they do it will be Tyus Jones making a case for one and done that gets them there. Duke is usually on the receiving end of ref love but it is otherwise easy to see foul trouble putting them in a bind in the NCAAs.

 

[irishfan]

Saw a Lundardi segment on ESPN where he said the #2 seeds this season are stronger than ever, and there is a massive divide between the #8 and #9 team in the country. He went as far as to say that no teams below #8 are getting any serious consideration for a Top-2 seed.

I'd be pumped with a #3 seed, but it's a bit annoying to have been in the Top 10 for the last month and essentially have no chance at a #2 seed.

Gonzaga, Arizona, and Villanova all play in weak conferences. Wisconsin only has one win over a ranked team right now. Kansas has more losses than we do. I'm not saying we could beat those 5 teams easily, but I wouldn't completely hate our chances on a neutral court, whereas we'd have to absolutely bring the A+ game to knockoff Kentucky, Duke, or UVA on a neutral court IMO. I hate how much the Tourney seems to come down to matchups, but we are so overdue for an easy path to the Sweet 16.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Saw a Lundardi segment on ESPN where he said the 2-seeds this season are stronger than ever, and there is a massive divide between the #8 and #9 team in the country. He went as far as to say that no teams below #8 are getting any serious consideration for a Top-2 seed.

I'd be pumped with a #3 seed, but it's a bit annoying to have been in the Top 10 for the last month and essentially have no chance at a #2 seed.

It will be interesting to fill out a bracket this year. Even with the points made in your post, I think everyone is really vulnerable with the exception of UK.

 

[NDGOLDEN]

Saw a Lundardi segment on ESPN where he said the #2 seeds this season are stronger than ever, and there is a massive divide between the #8 and #9 team in the country. He went as far as to say that no teams below #8 are getting any serious consideration for a Top-2 seed.

I'd be pumped with a #3 seed, but it's a bit annoying to have been in the Top 10 for the last month and essentially have no chance at a #2 seed.

Gonzaga, Arizona, and Villanova all play in weak conferences. Wisconsin only has one win over a ranked team right now. Kansas has more losses than we do. I'm not saying we could beat those 5 teams easily, but I wouldn't completely hate our chances on a neutral court, whereas we'd have to absolutely bring the A+ game to knockoff Kentucky, Duke, or UVA on a neutral court IMO. I hate how much the Tourney seems to come down to matchups, but we are so overdue for an easy path to the Sweet 16.

Ya i saw that. It is pretty disappointing that even tho we could end up a top 10 team and we might get a 4 or 5 seed. Seems a little ridiculous. Id be extremely pumped if we ended up a 3 seed. Lunardi said he thinks we are a solid 3 seed right now. That game at Louisville is gonna be extremely huge game

 

[irishfan]

It will be interesting to fill out a bracket this year. Even with the points made in your post, I think everyone is really vulnerable with the exception of UK.

Ya agreed. It never goes as planned haha, I'm sure half of the 1/2 seeds will be out by the Sweet 16. I just don't want to see Kentucky win it. I'd much rather see a team like Wisky or UVA or even Duke take it.

 

[irishfan]

Bracketology - NCAA College Basketball Brackets and Predictions - ESPN

Updated today. Not a bad path, and a good location. I'd be confident that we'd make the Sweet 16 if this were the real bracket.

The OOC schedule still sucks but is improving. Providence isn't a headscratcher of a loss, as they're a #6 seed here. Michigan State is now up to an #8 seed (and climbing). Purdue is the first team out, and UMASS is the 8th team out. Would be sweet for Purdue or UMASS to make it.

 

[woolybug25]

Bracketology - NCAA College Basketball Brackets and Predictions - ESPN

Updated today. Not a bad path, and a good location. I'd be confident that we'd make the Sweet 16 if this were the real bracket.

If there was a magic way to get into the south bracket in this version, a final four would be a real possibility. Duke would be the only team that would probably be favored over ND in that one, and we are capable of beating them.

 

[arrowryan]

I really want out of that Midwest region. There is reason why an 8 loss Oklahoma team should get a higher #3 seed than ND. They might've played a tougher OOC schedule than ND but they lost all of their OOC games against quality opponents besides Butler. So the tough OOC shouldn't be helping OU. Also, Notre Dame's best win (Duke) looks a lot better than OU's best win (Iowa State).

 

[RDU Irish]

Frustrating to think that even if we were to win out we are probably looking at #3 seed at best. Lots of basketball left to play and the only thing I can guarantee is the actual bracket will look nothing like the mock ones being put out.


#4 and #5 seeds are almost interchangeable. #3 seed is a huge step up from a #4 though.

 

[House16]

Frustrating to think that even if we were to win out we are probably looking at #3 seed at best. Lots of basketball left to play and the only thing I can guarantee is the actual bracket will look nothing like the mock ones being put out.

If we win out, we'll be ACC champs, and almost no way we don't rise to a 2 seed then.

 

[Irish#1]

Frustrating to think that even if we were to win out we are probably looking at #3 seed at best. Lots of basketball left to play and the only thing I can guarantee is the actual bracket will look nothing like the mock ones being put out.


#4 and #5 seeds are almost interchangeable. #3 seed is a huge step up from a #4 though.

#5 seed is the dreaded upset seed.

 

[irish4ever]

Yea I think this is going to be interesting as how the other teams play will be critical.

I think KU, Duke, UVA, Gonzaga, Wisc and Nova will be slotted ahead of us for sure. That leaves six spots for the other 2 seeds and four 3 seeds. That means we are competing with the likes of Kansas, Utah, UNC, Ville, Zona, OU, UNI, WSU and maybe Maryland.

To me, I think Duke beats UNC twice and that takes UNC out of it. OU plays at ISU and home against KU still this year before their tourney. I think they lose both. So for them to get a 3 they are going to need to have a monster run in their conference tourney. Possible, but not likely IMO. That leaves Utah, Zona, Lville, UNI, WSU, ND and perhaps Maryland for 6 spots. I think one of UNI/WSU gets 2/3 seed.

There is usually one or two teams that surge the two weekends, so we need to keep that factored in. But if ND gets to the semi's and only has one more reg season loss, just not sure how they get jumped as the other teams play their way out.

Maryland will lucky to be a 5 seed. They are NOT that good! L'ville to me is a 4 seed,. at best the way they are playing.

 

[heygipper]

Frustrating to think that even if we were to win out we are probably looking at #3 seed at best. Lots of basketball left to play and the only thing I can guarantee is the actual bracket will look nothing like the mock ones being put out.


#4 and #5 seeds are almost interchangeable. #3 seed is a huge step up from a #4 though.

If we win out we could be a 1 seed, especially if Purdue or MSU knocks off Wisconsin in the Big Ten finals. We would be 30-4 with a pair of wins over Duke, @ UNC, @ Louisville, @NC State, OOC wins over MSU/Purdue/UMass, a decent quarterfinal win and probably a win over UVa to go with loses against two top 5-10 teams, a top 20 RPI team, and a top 45 RPI team.