Expectations in Notre Dame Basketball (Are they too low?)

[Granger Irish]

Do you think Notre Dame can get back to being a Top Ten program as it was in the 1970s through the early 1980s?

I think the problem that is causing us to not be as "up there" as I believe we can IS expectations. I think, not only the administration, but, also, the fans have low expectations for Notre Dame basketball. We need to raise them to be able to reach the next level.

We were once a Top Ten program in the 1970s. Why can't we be again? In order to do it, I think we need two main things:

1.We need to verbally (both the administration, the coach and the fans) state that we need to get back to where we should be. Thus far, this is not happening. Every one of the three groups mentioned is satisfied with just winning. Things will not change as far as having a "ceiling" on how much we can win unless we say we want to go farther.

2.We need a coach who is dynamic enough to recruit the top players. Is Brey that guy? Has he shown it, so far? Look at what Charlie Weis has done in recruiting when the two previous coaches could not do it. The same thing can happen in basketball. After 2009, the renovation should help. I believe we can have a spurt of recruiting excellence during the few years' after renovation.

What I need to hear as a fan is a coach saying, out loud, the goal is to reach a Final Four. I have not heard Coach Brey state it. You can't do it unless you want to get there. We fans need to stop accepting merely winning in basketball. We should all want more. Notre Dame can do it. We are not some mid-major basketball school. We should be upper echelon.

 

[notredomer23]

Do you think Notre Dame can get back to being a Top Ten program as it was in the 1970s through the early 1980s?

I think the problem that is causing us to not be as "up there" as I believe we can IS expectations. I think, not only the administration, but, also, the fans have low expectations for Notre Dame basketball. We need to raise them to be able to reach the next level.

We were once a Top Ten program in the 1970s. Why can't we be again? In order to do it, I think we need two main things:

1.We need to verbally (both the administration, the coach and the fans) state that we need to get back to where we should be. Thus far, this is not happening. Every one of the three groups mentioned is satisfied with just winning. Things will not change as far as having a "ceiling" on how much we can win unless we say we want to go farther.

2.We need a coach who is dynamic enough to recruit the top players. Is Brey that guy? Has he shown it, so far? Look at what Charlie Weis has done in recruiting when the two previous coaches could not do it. The same thing can happen in basketball. After 2009, the rennovation should help. I believe we can have a spurt of recruiting excellence during the few years' after rennovation.

What I need to hear as a fan is a coach saying, out loud, the goal is to reach a Final Four. I have not heard Coach Brey state it. You can't do it unless you want to get there. We fans need to stop accepting merely winning in basketball. We should all want more. Notre Dame can do it. We are not some mid-major basketball school. We should be upper echelon.

I agree a 100% with you. I think once we make it to the elite 8 this year and win it all next this will really help recruiting. After that it will give our program stability for years to come.

 

[NDOM]

What are these "rennovations" you speak of and what do they involve? My personal opinion is that they need to add alot more seating. It's too small of a stadium. Other than that I agree with you.

 

[Granger Irish]

What are these "rennovations" you speak of and what do they involve? My personal opinion is that they need to add alot more seating. It's too small of a stadium. Other than that I agree with you.

The renovations are going to take place at the Joyce Center. It will be gutted inside and all chairback seats will be put in. All seats will be cushioned and navy blue. There will be about 1,000 less seats. I am also hoping they will take the students and line the court instead of having them behind a backboard. That will be done in time for the 2009 season. The outside of the Joyce will receive a makeover before that.

 

[NDOM]

The rennovations are going to take place at the Joyce Center. It will be gutted inside and all chairback seats will be put in. All seats will be cushioned and navy blue. There will be about 1,000 less seats. I am also hoping they will take the students and line the court instead of having them behind a backboard. That will be done in time for the 2009 season. The outside of the Joyce will receive a makeover before that.

Sounds retarted to me. I know its not your idea but theres going to be 1,000 less seats? Thats ridiculous. Take the money its going to cost to rennovate it add some (They have the money) and build a new basketball stadium with more seats instead of less seats. The more seats they have the more money they will bring in. I dont like the idea personally but oh well.

 

[notredomer23]

I agree with NDOM, I knew there was going to be renovations, and i expected the new cushioned seats and all, but I actually thought they were going to expand the arena. Oh well. As long as its quality i guess

 

[Granger Irish]

I just want the arena to be intimidating. I think if we place the students, strategically, we can be another Cameron Indoor Stadium (Duke). In addition, I am hoping the Gold seat owners will lose ticket privileges. That section notoriously holds back the atmospehere os the Joyce Center.

 

[Granger Irish]

Here is a link to an article with a sketch of the renovation:

Joyce Center Renovation :: Plans for nearly million renovation will give home to Irish men's and women's basketball and volleyball programs a new look

 

[notredomer23]

It would also help if more than half the undergrads went to the game. Idk maybe they already are, but from what i can see maybe 1/3 are.

 

[mbooch]

I just want the arena to be intimidating. I think if we place the students, strategically, we can be another Cameron Indoor Stadium (Duke). In addition, I am hoping the Gold seat owners will lose ticket privileges. That section notoriously holds back the atmospehere os the Joyce Center.

#1 I TOTALLY agree that the expectations for ND basketball hav been allowed to slip WAY too low. I was a student when they beat UCLA in 1974, and, for a week of so, ND was #1 in BOTH football and basketball. As far as I am concerned, there is only ONE acceptable goal for any ND team, that number just a little better than 2. Of course we won't get there easily, or often, but if you don;t set the goal high enough, mediocrity results. Like they say in Alaska, if you're not the lead dog in the team.. the view's pretty much the same.

#2 I respect Duke. I don't want to imitate them, with all those chest=painted geeks, jumping up and down. Let the kids sit wherever. In a gym that size, they can be heard wherever they are.

 

[goirish#1]

They are definately to low! I don't see why they can't win the Big East this season! Even though we could use another stud rebounder like big Luke.

 

[JeremyND07]

I think they get to the sweet 16 but that is it...they are still pretty young and have a lot coming back next year. I agree ND basketball standards are too low and need raised!!!

 

[notredomer23]

NC next year. Im setting the bar high cuz i know what they are capable of.

 

[NDOM]

I think they get to the sweet 16 but that is it...they are still pretty young and have a lot coming back next year. I agree ND basketball standards are too low and need raised!!!

In the Big Tourney or the Big East Tourney? I dont think they go to the sweet 16 in the big tourney. I hope thats what you meant.

 

[KamaraPolice]

I expect them to get past the sweet 16 this year if they are going to be a team to be reckoned with next year. The great thing about college basketball is if they get hot coming out of the big east tournament, this year can be the year; they have the talent.

 

[NDOM]

I expect them to get past the sweet 16 this year if they are going to be a team to be reckoned with next year. The great thing about college basketball is if they get hot coming out of the big east tournament, this year can be the year; they have the talent.

Hmmm. I just have to disagree with that predicion. Thats what this place is all about. lol. I cant see Notre Dame going past the sweet 16. They are going to get beat up these next 4 or 5 games then they will get beat up in the Big East tournement (I'm not talking about losses) just beat up in general. Its going to take alot out of them because really they dont have a ton of depth like these other teams we will be facing. Depending on what seed we get in the Big Dance I dont see us getting past the 2nd round. Next year is going to be the year when we have enough to get further. Not this year.

 

[JeremyND07]

Hmmm. I just have to disagree with that predicion. Thats what this place is all about. lol. I cant see Notre Dame going past the sweet 16. They are going to get beat up these next 4 or 5 games then they will get beat up in the Big East tournement (I'm not talking about losses) just beat up in general. Its going to take alot out of them because really they dont have a ton of depth like these other teams we will be facing. Depending on what seed we get in the Big Dance I dont see us getting past the 2nd round. Next year is going to be the year when we have enough to get further. Not this year.

I think they do well in the Big East Tourney get a 3-4 seed and make it into the sweet 16 of the NCAA. There is no way they get any further then that...depending on the seed they may not get past the second round...they have to make it to the championship game of the BE Tournament and be competitive in that game!

 

[mbooch]

I very much agree with the observation that this is not a deep team. Peoples being young and under-developed, I understand. What I CAN'T understand is Luke Zeller. A 6'11" Junior, and he's playing 12 minutes a game, hasn't had a half dozen rebounds in as long as I can remember, and he shoots 90% of his shots from outside the arc! And, after two and half years of college, he's STILL barely 240 pounds. Next year, Kunz is gone. If he doesn't step up...Gody CAN'T fight off every other team's front line single-handed. I predict that, unless Luke Zeller gets it together, next year will be a loong year for ND, and Luke Harangody!