Still a chance for the basketball team?

[irishfan]

Besides me, does anyone feel as if there is a chance for the basketball team to sneak their way into the NCAA Tournament? Assuming we can beat St. Johns and get our record to 17-13 (8-10) and earn the #10 seed in the Big East Tournament, I feel as if we could do some damage. With the new tournament format, the first 8 teams get a 1st Round Bye, so we would play the 15th seed (Rutgers) in the first round. In the 2nd round, we would play the 7th seed (either Syracuse, Providence, or West Virginia). If we were to win this game (pretty managable), this would give us a quality win and set us up to, in my opinion, secure an NCAA Bid in the Quarterfinals against one of the top 3 seeds (UCONN, PITT, Louisville). A win there would give us a win against a top 5 team, and I believe an NCAA Bid regardless of how we finished the rest of the tournament. A loss in the next round would give us a 20-14 record and a 3-1 record in the tournament would basically mean a conference record of 11-11. Our RPI now is pretty weak (73) and our strength of schedule only average (31) but both would be sure to go up with a good showing in the tournament. Just curious to hear what everyone else thinks, and if you think 3 wins in the Big East Tournament will be enough for the Irish to sneak into the NCAA Tournament.

 

[ACamp1900]

for a team with such high expectations this year........ I stopped caring

but seeing us sneak in on a hot streak would be nice... I don't see it happening even if we win some games in the BE tourney

 

[Clausen2Kamara]

If we get to the final in the BE tourney we have a sliiim chance...We basically have to win it...Hoping the better teams get upset or take it easy with their players...to get ready for they tourney...

 

[JeremyND07]

It is hard to tell which team will show up for the big east tournament. Just wondering why more people have not been calling for Brey's head. We WAY underachieved this year!

 

[PADOMERNUT]

I am the most optimistic fan out there, but they had their chance on monday, and blew it. Its NIT this year....

 

[NDOM]

seasons over. We arent going to win the big east tourney. Not even close. What makes you think we could when we went almost 8 minutes without scoring against villanova. Pitiful. I dont even think they deserve to be in the Not Important Tournament (NIT)

 

[NDinL.A.]

I'm with NDOM here (except for the NIT part; they've earned that). At this point in the season, you are what you are. Your record says how good you are, and ND is a pretty good team and that's all. And pretty good just doesn't get you to the Big East finals. If you don't defend, and you can't depend on your bench AT ALL, and you live and die by the 3, then folks, you just aren't going to be an elite team. Period. They play great in spurts, but consistency has killed them. I simply don't see them getting to the Big East finals.

In the offseason, Brey needs to concentrate on the defensive end of the court, and they need to somehow get more athletic in the recruits they bring in...

 

[irish4ever]

Besides me, does anyone feel as if there is a chance for the basketball team to sneak their way into the NCAA Tournament?

Ha, ha, ha .... good one! There's a CHANCE, but anything short of winning the Big East tournament it's NIT time (and rightly so this year)!

 

[NDOM]

I'm with NDOM here (except for the NIT part; they've earned that). At this point in the season, you are what you are. Your record says how good you are, and ND is a pretty good team and that's all. And pretty good just doesn't get you to the Big East finals. If you don't defend, and you can't depend on your bench AT ALL, and you live and die by the 3, then folks, you just aren't going to be an elite team. Period. They play great in spurts, but consistency has killed them. I simply don't see them getting to the Big East finals.

In the offseason, Brey needs to concentrate on the defensive end of the court, and they need to somehow get more athletic in the recruits they bring in...

Thats actually what I wanted to say but you know me....I just start pooping at the mouth and it just came out the wrong way. lol Good call NDinL.A.

 

[PADOMERNUT]

I guess there is a chance, b/c unlike football, basketball is decided on the court. so there is always a chance, but its highly unlikely.

 

[PADOMERNUT]

in fact its NIT this year, unfortunately

 

[notredomer23]

the only way they get in is if they make it to atleast the championship for the big east. then they would with out winning the tourny. but otherwise, NIT bound

 

[NDOM]

the only way they get in is if they make it to atleast the championship for the big east. then they would with out winning the tourny. but otherwise, NIT bound

I STRONGLY disagree. We dont have enough "Quality" wins this year. Texas is really the only one I can think of off the top of my head. Right now we're 16-13 (7-10) with St. Johns left (And we all know what happened last time we played them). If we do beat them then we are 17-13. Then if (AND THATS A BIG FUCKING IF) we get to the championship game we will be 20-14 ( I factored in the loss in the championship game). NOT GOOD ENOUGH. There are far more better and qualified teams out there that deserve it way more than we do. Sorry.

 

[PADOMERNUT]

I STRONGLY disagree. We dont have enough "Quality" wins this year. Texas is really the only one I can think of off the top of my head. Right now we're 16-13 (7-10) with St. Johns left (And we all know what happened last time we played them). If we do beat them then we are 17-13. Then if (AND THATS A BIG FUCKING IF) we get to the championship game we will be 20-14 ( I factored in the loss in the championship game). NOT GOOD ENOUGH. There are far more better and qualified teams out there that deserve it way more than we do. Sorry.

They will get in if they make it to the title game. because along with texas, you forgot to mention louisville, and yes even georgetown (top 50 RPI) if we get to the BET title game than that would be 3 more quality wins (at this point probably providence and louisville again, along with uconn or pitt) that would be 6 quality wins, which would be more than enough.


Here is the problem though. Starting with their 2nd game, they will start playing teams that have yet to play in NYC. So even if they somehow manage to win 2 or 3, they will be completely out of gas because they arent deep enough to keep rotating in fresh legs.

They have ABSOLUTELY proven that they can play with anyone in this conference. They can also lose to just about anyone. Winning 5 in 5 days is too much to ask a team like UCONN to do, let alone ND.

 

[sportallyr]

It is hard to tell which team will show up for the big east tournament. Just wondering why more people have not been calling for Brey's head. We WAY underachieved this year!

Well, maybe it's because he is the two time defending Big East Coach of the year. I think that buys him a little breathing room. This team certainly disappointed me...but I attribute that to the fact that there were a lot of teams in the Big East that flat out had way more talent than we did this year. Next year will be an important year though, both on the court and in regards to recruiting. The Big East probably won't be any easier with a lot of the top teams having a lot of good young players that will probably return. Our team will be different next year, not relying on the 3 as much...which means we will probably be a bit more consistent. In regards to recruiting, we absolutely have to get a great class. We need to get another class like we had a few years ago when we signed McAlarney, Zellar, Ayers and Hillesland...all of which were 4 star players and I think 3 of them were in the ESPN 150. I understand that it's not all about the amount of stars you get (with guys like Harangody and Jackson playing much better than expected), but getting top talent will draw interest from the elite players and we need an elite player every few years.

I'm writing off this year since I agree with the other posters who said that we won't get into the big dance unless we get to the Big East Championship...which ain't happening since we haven't been able to string together more than 2 decent games in a row this whole year.

 

[nd1988]

Well, maybe it's because he is the two time defending Big East Coach of the year. I think that buys him a little breathing room. This team certainly disappointed me...but I attribute that to the fact that there were a lot of teams in the Big East that flat out had way more talent than we did this year. Next year will be an important year though, both on the court and in regards to recruiting. The Big East probably won't be any easier with a lot of the top teams having a lot of good young players that will probably return. Our team will be different next year, not relying on the 3 as much...which means we will probably be a bit more consistent. In regards to recruiting, we absolutely have to get a great class. We need to get another class like we had a few years ago when we signed McAlarney, Zellar, Ayers and Hillesland...all of which were 4 star players and I think 3 of them were in the ESPN 150. I understand that it's not all about the amount of stars you get (with guys like Harangody and Jackson playing much better than expected), but getting top talent will draw interest from the elite players and we need an elite player every few years.

I'm writing off this year since I agree with the other posters who said that we won't get into the big dance unless we get to the Big East Championship...which ain't happening since we haven't been able to string together more than 2 decent games in a row this whole year.

Whatever tourney they make it to, I'll support them. Starting the seaon in the top 10 really had my hopes set high for this team. As the year went on, consistent play by the Irish was nowhere in sight. Teams found ways to stop KMAC...Ayers came along here at the end..but Zellers and Hillesland come on people...AWEFUL!!!!!! Brey did somethng right by taking Zellers out of the line up and then when Hillesland was hurt he started Nash...."I was at the Nova game and when Nash's name was annouced the Joyce went WILD!!!!!" Nash will be a solid defensive player and rebounder. Out of the seniors going.....KMAC will be missed dearly...The others...Thank you baby jesus!!!!! Who here thinks Gody will stay another year?

 

[irishfan]

I hope Gody will stay. I'm thinking he knows that this year was a dissappointment and that he doesnt want to end his career with the NIT.

 

[IrishAlum1997]

Um, has any one watched us in the Big East tourney? We don't do squat there. I love pipedreamin' (13-0 in 2009), but NIT it be.

 

[nd1988]

I hope Gody will stay. I'm thinking he knows that this year was a dissappointment and that he doesnt want to end his career with the NIT.

I hope so too... The only thing I see that would make him want to leave is the lack of upperclassmen. I would have to put Brey at fault because of the way he rotates his players. 3 starters are leaving...I know Nash will replace one but what about the others? Next year will be very interesting...

 

[irishfan]

Don't forget about our two transfers we have for next year...

 

[NDOM]

Don't forget about our two transfers we have for next year...

Who are they?

 

[nd1988]

Don't forget about our two transfers we have for next year...

Thats right!!...Martin and Hansbrough

 

[irishfan]

Who are they?

Ben Hansbrough-younger brother of you know who. Played at Mississippi State for two years. Is a 6'4" shooting guard who averaged 7.3 points ppg his freshman year and 10.5 his sophomore year. Is a great outside shooter and surprisingly good rebounder. Led them to the 2nd round of the NCAA Tournament last year where they lost a close game to Memphis.

Scott Martin- Played at Purdue for one year before transferring. Played in 32 games for them, averaging 8.5 ppg and 3.8 rpg. Averaged over 20 minutes per game as well. Is a 6'8" small forward who is a good outside shooter. Seems to be fairly similar to Zach Hillesland, yet can shoot well outside. Was a 4-star out of high school with offers from Notre Dame, Purdue, Indiana, USC, Arizona State, Oklahoma State, and Northwestern. Led Purdue to the 2nd round of the NCAA Tournament.

 

[irishfan]

Mike Brey like to have an 8-man rotation. For next year, returning players Tory Jackson, Jonathan Peoples, Luke Harangody, Tyrone Nash, and Carleton Scott figure to see significant playing time along with our two new transfers. Joey Brooks (6'5" guard) and Jack Cooley (6'8" forward) should be competing for the 8th spot.

 

[irishfan]

Would make a predicted lineup of:

Starters

PG: Tory Jackson
SG: Ben Hansbrough
SF: Scott Martin/Tyrone Nash
PF: Carleton Scott
C: Luke Harangody

Bench

Scott Martin/Tyrone Nash
Jonathan Peoples
Jack Cooley/Joey Brooks

 

[notredomer23]

NDOM!!!!! you serious man? Louisiville by 33 isnt a quality win? a team in the top 7? plus if making it to the big east championship, that would mean we beat atleast 2 quality teams in a 3 day span. 20 wins is all this team needs IMO. But it aint gonna happen

 

[NDOM]

NDOM!!!!! you serious man? Louisiville by 33 isnt a quality win? a team in the top 7? plus if making it to the big east championship, that would mean we beat atleast 2 quality teams in a 3 day span. 20 wins is all this team needs IMO. But it aint gonna happen

Yeah I forgot about that game. la la la la laaaaaaaaaa. he he

 

[irishfan]

NDOM!!!!! you serious man? Louisiville by 33 isnt a quality win? a team in the top 7? plus if making it to the big east championship, that would mean we beat atleast 2 quality teams in a 3 day span. 20 wins is all this team needs IMO. But it aint gonna happen

I agree, Louisville is a potential #1 seed, and if the Irish somehow do manage to get to 20 wins (by beating Rutgers, West Virginia, PITT) then that would give us two wins over two of the top 5 teams in the country, and in my opinion would put us in a position to earn an 11/12 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Except I seem to be in the minority in thinking that we can put on a good performance in the conference tourney.

 

[PADOMERNUT]

I agree, Louisville is a potential #1 seed, and if the Irish somehow do manage to get to 20 wins (by beating Rutgers, West Virginia) then that would give us two wins over two of the top 5 teams in the country, and in my opinion would put us in a position to earn an 11/12 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Except I seem to be in the minority in thinking that we can put on a good performance in the conference tourney.

they would have to beat pitt as well to get to 20 wins, you forgot to mention them.

 

[irishfan]

UConn, Louisville, UNC, Pitt to get top seeds in the NCAA tourney - Andy Glockner - SI.com

Sports Illustrated's version of Bracketology. ND didn't make the field of 65 but is listed in the teams also considered. Going by this writer's rankings, ND was the 12th team left out.