2016-2017 Notre Dame Men's Basketball

[irishfan]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It seems impossible that Rick Pitino, one of the best coaches in college basketball history, has never won at Notre Dame. 0-7 (0-1 with UK)</p>— Tim O'Malley (@timomalleyND) <a href="https://twitter.com/timomalleyND/status/816857105101705216">January 5, 2017</a></blockquote>
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[BobbyMac]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hey <a href="https://twitter.com/rexpflueger_1">@rexpflueger_1</a> who is 2-0 in the <a href="https://twitter.com/accmbb">@accmbb</a> ?<br>Irish beat Louisville 77-70! <a href="https://t.co/dTcNEgngAd">pic.twitter.com/dTcNEgngAd</a></p>— Notre Dame MBB (@NDmbb) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDmbb/status/816857558963068933">January 5, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[NDgradstudent]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It seems impossible that Rick Pitino, one of the best coaches in college basketball history, has never won at Notre Dame. 0-7 (0-1 with UK)</p>— Tim O'Malley (@timomalleyND) <a href="https://twitter.com/timomalleyND/status/816857105101705216">January 5, 2017</a></blockquote>
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It may be possible but I'm pretty sure it is wrong. ND was 1-6 vs. Pitino coached UK teams from 1990-97; and at least three of those games were at ND.

This is easy to find on the internet, Tim...

 

[BobbyMac]

Feb 12, '95 @ Notre Dame ..... UK 97 - ND 58 ...... Was at the game. My HS teammate was on Pitino's staff

Feb 13, '93 @ Notre Dame ..... UK 81 - ND 62

Dec 1, '90 @ RCA Dome ..... UK 98 - ND 90




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[Rack Em]

Mike Brey is the best

Just for Men: Touch of BREY

 

[RDU Irish]

Vasturia is just the silent, baby faced assassin. Straight up brass balls on that kid. Have to pick up the replay to see second half but shot chart and first half play had me surprised to see us so active in the paint. Tons of shots in the paint - we shot 12 three pointers (to L-ville's 27)... excellent game plan by Brey and execution by our seasoned group of ballers. Six assists on the night? How uncharacteristic!

 

[RDU Irish]

Also think people are game planning on VJ - he can be shut down (and has). I'm looking for someone to go to sleep on him and get lit up for a big game. Unfortunately proving me correct as a less than pro prospect but props to him for being completely unselfish and not forcing the "my time" type of sheet I think cratered us in some seasons past. Love the chemistry on this team - can't remember a time Brey used his bench this extensively. And he is doing it masterfully.

 

[ShawneeIrish]

Also think people are game planning on VJ - he can be shut down (and has). I'm looking for someone to go to sleep on him and get lit up for a big game. Unfortunately proving me correct as a less than pro prospect but props to him for being completely unselfish and not forcing the "my time" type of sheet I think cratered us in some seasons past. Love the chemistry on this team - can't remember a time Brey used his bench this extensively. And he is doing it masterfully.

I agree with you regarding bench play. I cannot remember Brey using his bench so well or extensively in big games. Gibbs logged a lot of big minutes last night, Rex continues to be veey valuable as a defender, and even Austin Torres made some big plays last night. Torres has done a good job carving out a role as a hustle man, happy for him I remember when he was considered just a throw in to help recruit DJ. As to VJ, I hate seeing him struggle but expect he will improve as the season progresses. It was a positive sign last night that he helped make the key defensive stop on a night when he was totally nonexistent offensively.

 

[Blaise]

I would like to see Matt Ryan start getting a more active role.. I feel like he will be huge come tournament time and we will need his size and shooting

 

[Ndaccountant]

Also think people are game planning on VJ - he can be shut down (and has). I'm looking for someone to go to sleep on him and get lit up for a big game. Unfortunately proving me correct as a less than pro prospect but props to him for being completely unselfish and not forcing the "my time" type of sheet I think cratered us in some seasons past. Love the chemistry on this team - can't remember a time Brey used his bench this extensively. And he is doing it masterfully.

I don't think it is game planning, I think VJ has lost his confidence. The last few games he has been incredibly passive and you can tell he does not "want" to shoot 3's like he did late last year or even earlier this year. Truth is, he cannot play 30 minutes a game and have the paltry stat line he had yesterday. He isn't a good enough defender and if guys like Rex or Gibbs can produce offensively as much as he is, we cannot afford to playing him that much. I wonder if he would be better off coming off the bench.

That said, SV really came though yesterday. His performance was a major improvement from the Purdue game and a much needed boost. MF was also fantastic. He continues to surprise me and to be able to put up a game like that against one a defense like L'ville is special.

The other breath of fresh air last night was the play of Gibbs and Torres. Torres enabled some breather time for BC, which I think is something we need going forward. A very positive sign.

Big win last night and now we need to follow through against Clemson, who is a tough team in the loaded ACC.

 

[irishfan]

#23 in RPI with SOS of 64.

Pretty good computer numbers early considering our non-conference schedule was pretty much all cupcakes outside of 4-5 games.

 

[irishfan]

Bracketology - NCAA College Basketball Brackets and Predictions - ESPN

#5 seed in newest Bracketology out today.

 

[gkIrish]

If we go 5-4 over the next 9 we are in great shape.

 

[texbender]

Missed the game last night. Didn't realize it was a late game, so figured I had the wrong night. They always seem to play well vs UL. Good conference win that should pay dividends come tournament time. Brey seems to get a lot from lesser talent.

 

[RDU Irish]

I agree with you regarding bench play. I cannot remember Brey using his bench so well or extensively in big games. Gibbs logged a lot of big minutes last night, Rex continues to be veey valuable as a defender, and even Austin Torres made some big plays last night. Torres has done a good job carving out a role as a hustle man, happy for him I remember when he was considered just a throw in to help recruit DJ. As to VJ, I hate seeing him struggle but expect he will improve as the season progresses. It was a positive sign last night that he helped make the key defensive stop on a night when he was totally nonexistent offensively.

Torres even seeing the floor was the kicker for me. Years past a player like that would only see time if we were up by 50 against a cupcake. Instead he was plugged in perfectly to add some energy and contributed very positively. Running all of those bodies allows the defense to be so much better since we are not constantly afraid of fouling out one of our five starters that we can't live without. Much more fearless play on the defensive end all around as a result. So even though Torres has a small stat line, I feel like collateral benefits are off the charts.

 

[arrowryan]

Someone on another board posted brought this up and it is weird because I had actually thought about in the past. Do you guys think Brey would leave for a job like Duke, North Carolina, or Syracuse? All 3 are obviously huge names in the college basketball world. He might be on Duke's short list because, quite frankly, he has pretty much owned Coach K since we have joined the ACC.

Nick Ironside doesn't think he would jump ship because in the past 2-3 years, he has really started to build a great roster and it has really shown in the last 2 NCAA tournaments. He runs the show at Notre Dame, he is finally reaping the benefits of building a program from the ground up, and I think he is player or two away from being a true top 5 team.

Jack Swarbrick really needs to quit being an asshole and build Mike and Muffet a new facility. If he can do that, the men's basketball team is going to be at an entire new level and I don't think Mike Brey could walk away from that.

 

[Irish#1]

Someone on another board posted brought this up and it is weird because I had actually thought about in the past. Do you guys think Brey would leave for a job like Duke, North Carolina, or Syracuse? All 3 are obviously huge names in the college basketball world. He might be on Duke's short list because, quite frankly, he has pretty much owned Coach K since we have joined the ACC.

Nick Ironside doesn't think he would jump ship because in the past 2-3 years, he has really started to build a great roster and it has really shown in the last 2 NCAA tournaments. He runs the show at Notre Dame, he is finally reaping the benefits of building a program from the ground up, and I think he is player or two away from being a true top 5 team.

Jack Swarbrick really needs to quit being an asshole and build Mike and Muffet a new facility. If he can do that, the men's basketball team is going to be at an entire new level and I don't think Mike Brey could walk away from that.

It wouldn't surprise me if he left for Duke or UNC. Those are both basketball schools and can get most any kid they want. Even with an upgrade in facilities I don't see that happening here. I attribute NDBB more closely to Butler. Both can get some decent talent, but rarely the top kids. Their success is built upon these kids sticking around for at least 3 if not 4 years, where they learn to play as a cohesive team.

 

[CTIDANDREW]

Someone on another board posted brought this up and it is weird because I had actually thought about in the past. Do you guys think Brey would leave for a job like Duke, North Carolina, or Syracuse? All 3 are obviously huge names in the college basketball world. He might be on Duke's short list because, quite frankly, he has pretty much owned Coach K since we have joined the ACC.

Nick Ironside doesn't think he would jump ship because in the past 2-3 years, he has really started to build a great roster and it has really shown in the last 2 NCAA tournaments. He runs the show at Notre Dame, he is finally reaping the benefits of building a program from the ground up, and I think he is player or two away from being a true top 5 team.

Jack Swarbrick really needs to quit being an asshole and build Mike and Muffet a new facility. If he can do that, the men's basketball team is going to be at an entire new level and I don't think Mike Brey could walk away from that.

I've been following Notre Dame Basketball since the Troy Murphy days, and I wish what I was about to say wasn't true...but if Duke or UNC come calling for Brey he would be an idiot to say No. I mean it's common sense. You don't turn down a job like that, no matter how great you have it at a place like ND.

 

[gkIrish]

I've been following Notre Dame Basketball since the Troy Murphy days, and I wish what I was about to say wasn't true...but if Duke or UNC come calling for Brey he would be an idiot to say No. I mean it's common sense. You don't turn down a job like that, no matter how great you have it at a place like ND.

I agree. He would be stupid to turn that down. I think Duke may actually come calling soon depending on coach K's back and other health issues.

 

[irishfan]

ND vs Clemson at 3:00 on ESPNU

ND -4.5

 

[IrishLax]

ND vs Clemson at 3:00 on ESPNU

ND -4.5

I but some scratch down on Clemson +4.5... think this is a tough one for ND on the quick turn around.

 

[irishandy]

What impresses me the most about this years basketball team is how Matt Farrell has stepped into his role. He has played like a 2 year starter and in my opinion I am glad to see him bringing up the ball rather than DeMEtrius Jackson. DJ was good...but a bit overrated to me.

 

[NDgradstudent]

Are we planning to play defense today? Clemson shooting 53% from the field (season average = 45%) and 50% from 3 (season average = 35%). They are also murdering us on the boards, like we might have expected Louisville to do.

 

[Woneone]

What impresses me the most about this years basketball team is how Matt Farrell has stepped into his role. He has played like a 2 year starter and in my opinion I am glad to see him bringing up the ball rather than DeMEtrius Jackson. DJ was good...but a bit overrated to me.

Think you jinxed him :0)

He was awful in the first half.

That was one of the worst offensive half's I've seen us play in a while. We just stood around most of the time, and got bailed out hitting some jumpers.

 

[IrishLax]

I but some scratch down on Clemson +4.5... think this is a tough one for ND on the quick turn around.

Oh man Vegas is cruel.... what a ballsy 3 by Farrell...

 

[NDGOLDEN]

OMG Farrell what a clutch shot. For playing so bad thats a huge huge win

 

[Woneone]

Oh man Vegas is cruel....

Haha. They are scary good.

I'm not sure my heart is going to get through this season. Every game in the ACC is going to be like this.

 

[clashmore_mike]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Checking in on Matty Farrell <a href="https://t.co/JpGIGSyvX5">pic.twitter.com/JpGIGSyvX5</a></p>— Brent (@bhaydon5) <a href="https://twitter.com/bhaydon5/status/817851914893357056">January 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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[Redbar]

Coach is doing a great job with these guys, I love the chemistry of this team. They can put a lot of game pressure on teams with their ability to score from all over the court. Over the course of this one I felt like if Clemson didn't extend the lead (double digits) we would be too much for them down the wire. Over the past couple of seasons we have learned how to win close ones.

 

[NDGOLDEN]

Moved up to #20