ND Men's Basketball 2015-2016 season

[AgentJ]

Yup! It's all about the results.

Ridiculous

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Is it me, or do you feel we have a better chance to make the final four then we did last year with a better team. I could argue our draw was harder last year as a 2 seed. If we beat Wisc, I think we can beat NC if we play the type of game we did against them in the regular season...

I would love to see this team make a final four but I will be over the moon if they make back to back elite 8's

I think we match up very well against Wisconsin (their defense doesn't intimidate me like SFA).

But, I think we match up super, super poorly against UNC. They're exactly the type of team we match up worst against. They have dominant paint play, amazing defensive and offensive rebounding, and can knock shots down (once the inside game has been established).

UNC was playing awful during our first matchup. They're a whole different team now. And this game won't be in South Bend.

Either way, I'll love the opportunity to have a rubber match with UNC (or a 2nd shot at IU, which I doubt happens).

 

[bkess8]

God please let it be ND vs IU on Sunday!

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

God please let it be ND vs IU on Sunday!

But, who would the fans support? All the ND football fans will be rooting for IU, and all the IU basketball fans will be too busy slobbering over the ND football team.

 

[gkIrish]

North Carolina Tar Heels overtake Kansas Jayhawks after reseeding NCAA tournament Sweet 16 field

I would not put us behind Syracuse but otherwise hard to argue considering we struggled in both games.

 

[ACamp1900]

I'll say this, the majority of a BBall game is unwatchably boring to me... but when the game is on the line in the final minute... it's super exciting, I about jumped through the roof when that tip in fell.

 

[RDU Irish]

If I was in Philly I would scalp at the game with a target of $80 - $100. Probably find a fan with an extra and if not hit the bars with the goal of buying Sunday's ticket from a Friday loser for $50. Put a Craigslist ad out for Thursday asking to buy from fans only. Or hit Stubhub right at game time, prices tend to drop like a rock in the last hour and anymore I think Stubhub has locations near venues to facilitate transaction.

Sweet Sixteen feels great, somewhat frustrating to see this team with a good path to Elite Eight when last year's team got hosed into Kentucky's bracket. I could make a case for ND being on opposite sides of the bracket from the last team they play in conference tourney. Other than that I have liked our region for us even before Wisconsin won. Worrying about Elite Eight matchups is a bit cart in front of the horse.

 

[Buster Bluth]

I think this team's ceiling is the elite 8, and back to back trips to that are a really good look for the team and recruiting, so cannot be mad with that. I really hope they beat Wisconsin and I think they can.

If they made it to the Elite Eight they'd play one of North Carolina or Indiana. They've already beaten North Carolina and they choked a lead against Indiana away in OOC play. I'm not sure why you think their ceiling is Elite Eight.

 

[koonja]

If they made it to the Elite Eight they'd play one of North Carolina or Indiana. They've already beaten North Carolina and they choked a lead against Indiana away in OOC play. I'm not sure why you think their ceiling is Elite Eight.

They more recently got stomped by UNC in the ACC tourney (14 point loss, but it was never close). I think big time teams show up more when it matters, and that game was more indicative of what will happen if we play them in the NCAA tourney.

I'm hoping for IU because I think we have a better chance with them. But right now we're an Auguste show, with Jackson showing up in spurts, and Veachem keeping us alive with huge shots... I don't think our rebounding and perimeter defense are good enough to get us past either, but hopefully I'm wrong.

 

[NDgradstudent]

They more recently got stomped by UNC in the ACC tourney (14 point loss, but it was never close). I think big time teams show up more when it matters, and that game was more indicative of what will happen if we play them in the NCAA tourney.

I'm hoping for IU because I think we have a better chance with them. But right now we're an Auguste show, with Jackson showing up in spurts, and Veachem keeping us alive with huge shots... I don't think our rebounding and perimeter defense are good enough to get us past either, but hopefully I'm wrong.

It was closer to a 30 point loss. I doubt we would beat UNC (we aren't getting twice as many FTs as them again). IU, maybe.

 

[aubeirish]

I'll say this, the majority of a BBall game is unwatchably boring to me... but when the game is on the line in the final minute... it's super exciting, I about jumped through the roof when that tip in fell.

At least the track suit squad always gives us fantastic material throughout the game...

Haha.

 

[GrangerIrish24]

At least the track suit squad always gives us fantastic material throughout the game...

Haha.

Rex has the two most watched clips of the game

 

[ab2cmiller]

I love Swanagan looking down at them. Looks like he's thinking WTF are you doing?

 

[IrishLion]

Haha Rex Pfluger looks like the hated antagonist in every high school sports movie.

But man I love that guy.

 

[irishfan]

Rex did a complete smirk and stare after his tip-in yesterday. Was really hoping a pic or gif of it would have popped up by now...

 

[RDU Irish]

Haha Rex Pfluger looks like the hated antagonist in every high school sports movie.

But man I love that guy.

If he becomes our Bobby Hurley I will love others hating him.

The way he stalked the reporter for the final interview was classic.

 

[irishfan]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The most Notre Dame bench celly possible <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StopBracketSadness?src=hash">#StopBracketSadness</a> <a href="https://t.co/VuxrGeKr1G">https://t.co/VuxrGeKr1G</a></p>— Barstool Sports (@barstooltweets) <a href="https://twitter.com/barstooltweets/status/711634489294917633">March 20, 2016</a></blockquote>
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another good Rex bench reaction

 

[NDGOLDEN]

If he becomes our Bobby Hurley I will love others hating him.

The way he stalked the reporter for the final interview was classic.

It was Matt Farrell who was doing the creepin

 

[NorthDakota]

Haha Rex Pfluger looks like the hated antagonist in every high school sports movie.

But man I love that guy.

His name sounds like a douchey guy from a late 80's/early 90's movie too. Rex....good Lord....right up there with Wolf "The Dentist" Stansson, the Iceland coach from D2: The Mighty Ducks.

Side discussion: Why did they make Iceland, a peaceful island nation of around 300,000 people, the villains in the Mighty Ducks? To me it is really impressive a nation so small could overcome the odds and become a powerhouse in international youth hockey.

 

[Irish#1]

The problem with UNC, assuming we beat Wisky and we get to play them, is that IF they play to their potential (and this is a big IF), there is probably only two or three teams left in the tourney that can beat them. We are not one of them. Thankfully, they have really only played one or two games at that level all year. But make no mistake, much of that UNC game was them finally playing to their potential.

I think some people are underestimating UNC. I think they are playing better now then when we met earlier. They would be a tough out. Would have to play a near perfect game.

 

[RDU Irish]

It was Matt Farrell who was doing the creepin

Farrell's beard wreaks of kiddie porn junkie.

They were busting on Rex that they didn't have to track him down for the interview. Two cups of water on the head were a nice touch though. Team was having some fun for sure.

 

[RDU Irish]

I think some people are underestimating UNC. I think they are playing better now then when we met earlier. They would be a tough out. Would have to play a near perfect game.

UNC can get cold and ugly. Paige in particular can get in a funk that drags the whole team down. You don't want to bank on the other team playing poorly but I don't think we can beat a UNC hitting on all cylinders and at least one or two of their guys to crap the bed in order for us to make a run at them.

 

[ACamp1900]

At least the track suit squad always gives us fantastic material throughout the game...

Haha.

I love the assistant trying/struggling to deal with it all....

 

[IrishLion]

Team was having some fun for sure.

They are enjoying the ride as a team:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Don’t see a lot of post-game interviews like this... <a href="https://t.co/8qxIMpZyaB">pic.twitter.com/8qxIMpZyaB</a></p>— Mike Monaco (@MikeMonaco_) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeMonaco_/status/711656491128848384">March 20, 2016</a></blockquote>
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[bkess8]

I think some people are underestimating UNC. I think they are playing better now then when we met earlier. They would be a tough out. Would have to play a near perfect game.

This is how I feel as IU goes into the game on Friday. Have to play perfect and get a couple of breaks to pull this one out. Also need to shoot lights out from 3 and not have Williams driving like an out of control madman for half the game. Would love for it to be IU and ND on Sunday but I believe its going to be tough for both but more possible for ND to make it to Sunday.

 

[BeauBenken]

This is how I feel as IU goes into the game on Friday. Have to play perfect and get a couple of breaks to pull this one out. Also need to shoot lights out from 3 and not have Williams driving like an out of control madman for half the game. Would love for it to be IU and ND on Sunday but I believe its going to be tough for both but more possible for ND to make it to Sunday.

Last time two Indiana teams faced each other in the Elite Eight?

 

[BeauBenken]

Last time two Indiana teams faced each other in the Elite Eight?

I just did the research. At least since the introduction of a 64 team field, it has never happened. Only two or three states have accomplished this.

 

[bkess8]

I just did the research. At least since the introduction of a 64 team field, it has never happened. Only two or three states have accomplished this.

Would be awesome if they can make it happen!

 

[aubeirish]

I love Swanagan looking down at them. Looks like he's thinking WTF are you doing?

I love the assistant trying/struggling to deal with it all....

Haha yea. "How the heck did I end up in the middle of all this?". I'm interested to see where he will be sitting next game haha.

 

[Woneone]

UNC can get cold and ugly. Paige in particular can get in a funk that drags the whole team down. You don't want to bank on the other team playing poorly but I don't think we can beat a UNC hitting on all cylinders and at least one or two of their guys to crap the bed in order for us to make a run at them.

Let's not forget that the UNC game was the capper on the horrendous play both of our guards were providing for about a 4 to 5 game stretch. Even in the NC State win, Jackson didn't hit squat until a few late in the second half.

If we want to have any chance (this goes for Wiscy too), Vasturia has to snap out of the funk he's in. And, DJ has to play like the All-American we think he is.

Over the last 7 games, the FG shooting for our guards is as follows:

Steve DJ
3/11 6/8 SFA
3/11 4/8 Mich
0/6 1/10 UNC
4/11 3/10 Duke
5/9 6/15 NC State
0/9 3/13 Miami
2/8 4/8 FSU

17/65 = 26% Steve
27/72 = 37% DJ

Yea, there is more to the game than points, but if it wasn't for VJ, we would have been beat in the first round. He and Auguste need help. I almost think that's part of the reason Farrell is getting more minutes. Even as outmatched as he is against elite talent, he's at least creating some stuff on offense (and hitting open shots). I think Brey realizes, even though we have some good moments on D, we're never going to beat a team in a defensive struggle, we need to make shots. If Farrell is giving up a few more points than Steve or DJ, for short stretches, so be it.