2018-2019 Notre Dame Men's Basketball

[FightingIrishLover7]

IU felt old to me in the early 90s, Now it's just laughable. Love the tradition, and the noise factor, but good Lord, bull doze the thing. Langford has zero support this year, and has started to wear down. Would love it if he stayed another year, but honestly I can't blaming for wanting to get the hell out either.

ND BB has the same challenges the FB team has, but doesn't have the tradition to fall back on. Not sure facilities make that big of difference (at ND), but it sure doesn't hurt. I just enjoy ND BB for what it is, and set the proper expectations lol. I've done the same with IU, although I did get sucked in to early excitement this year.




Even if TJ was doing well, ....... If having an average class rating of 65th over those two years (17 and 18) is OK, then by all means be happy. It's not going to be the typical recipe for a top 10 or even top 25 team though.

I'm just happy to see Brey do more with less, and occasionally make a run in the tournament.

To be fair, it only averages out to 60's because 2017 was in the 100s. And that was not because we didn't have a good average player ranking, it was because we literally only had one player lol...

So, back to the orignal point, if you combine the overall player ratings over the past two classes, it's pretty dang good. Especially by ND standards.

 

[Irish YJ]

To be fair, it only averages out to 60's because 2017 was in the 100s. And that was not because we didn't have a good average player ranking, it was because we literally only had one player lol...

So, back to the orignal point, if you combine the overall player ratings over the past two classes, it's pretty dang good. Especially by ND standards.

Average player ranking is great, but having only 1 guy in the 17 class after 3 years of teams ranked outside of the top 30 in recruits is a bit tough.

ND standards are low (which is the point). Like I said, I have set the correct expectations with myself. If they ever nail a couple top 10-15 classes in a row, and have some decent upper class leadership coming back, then I'll start to up my expectations. Until then, I'm just a fan cheering for his team win or lose.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Average player ranking is great, but having only 1 guy in the 17 class after 3 years of teams ranked outside of the top 30 in recruits is a bit tough.

ND standards are low (which is the point). Like I said, I have set the correct expectations with myself. If they ever nail a couple top 10-15 classes in a row, and have some decent upper class leadership coming back, then I'll start to up my expectations. Until then, I'm just a fan cheering for his team win or lose.

My point (and the previous poster) is that Brey brought in 6 players overall, in a two year stretch, with an average player rating of about 94 composite.

I'm not saying its "ideal" balance, it's certainly not 3 and 3, but the "coupled" recruiting class is the best he's ever had.

 

[Crazy Balki]

Average player ranking is great, but having only 1 guy in the 17 class after 3 years of teams ranked outside of the top 30 in recruits is a bit tough.

ND standards are low (which is the point). Like I said, I have set the correct expectations with myself. If they ever nail a couple top 10-15 classes in a row, and have some decent upper class leadership coming back, then I'll start to up my expectations. Until then, I'm just a fan cheering for his team win or lose.

That's how basketball recruiting works for 4-year programs. You only have 12-13 slots available, and you have to account for transfers, so ND essentially took 7 players in those classes. Harvey and Durham in '17, then Laz, Carmody, Hubb, Doherty and Goodwin in '18.

 

[RDU Irish]

IU felt old to me in the early 90s, Now it's just laughable. Love the tradition, and the noise factor, but good Lord, bull doze the thing. Langford has zero support this year, and has started to wear down. Would love it if he stayed another year, but honestly I can't blaming for wanting to get the hell out either.

ND BB has the same challenges the FB team has, but doesn't have the tradition to fall back on. Not sure facilities make that big of difference (at ND), but it sure doesn't hurt. I just enjoy ND BB for what it is, and set the proper expectations lol. I've done the same with IU, although I did get sucked in to early excitement this year.




Even if TJ was doing well, ....... If having an average class rating of 65th over those two years (17 and 18) is OK, then by all means be happy. It's not going to be the typical recipe for a top 10 or even top 25 team though.

I'm just happy to see Brey do more with less, and occasionally make a run in the tournament.

2017 "class" was rated 108th - we took one guy who was the #49 guy in the country so you kind of have to take that in context. Add in Durham and you have two top 50 recruits in one class - when have we done that before exactly?

2018 ranked #15 - are we now saying five guys ranked #65, 86, 87, 100 and 316 is bad? #15 class in the country - when is the last time we reeled in six top 100 players in a four or five year cycle, let alone TWO.

2016 class was #40 with #88 Gibbs, #146 Mooney and #251 Djogo - Are we really saying two top 50 guys is dramatically worse than 88/146/251?

2015 #43 class of#103 Ryan, #116 Pflueger and #197 Burns
2014 #55 class of #126 Geben, #139 Colson and #422 Farrell
2013 #17 class of #34 DJ, #74 VJ, #106 Vasturia, #365 Torres
2012 #30 with #108 Auguste, #256 Burgett and #40 Biedscheid
2011 #57 with #97 Connaughton and #125 Katenda

Brey has a good track record of retaining his recruits - Biedscheid was it before Ryan and now Burns over six/seven classes - 3/18 if you exclude the freshmen? He has benefited more than he has lost in the transfer market for sure.

Oh - and 2018 at #15 is the highest rated class with only 2013 coming close. Are people expecting a top 20 class year in year out? I'm not. Every 2-3 years with consistent 30-50ish rankings in between and we have a pretty good recipe for Brey I think. Keep everyone in the 150 and up range with a few more top 50 guys and you improve the roster by raising the floor and the ceiling marginally.

As for numbers, we would have 13 on roster if Burns and Ryan were on campus. Rex/Carmody/Durham injured would still leave us 10 players to work with instead of eight now. Reality - taking two in 2017 would have given us four spots in 2018. Still would have had time to bring in Dougherty when Ryan bolted and he would have been a logical and realistic option to slow play with that understanding. Unless Brey is keeping one in the back pocket for potential transfers. Need to sign two for 2019 and feels like we will struggle to get one and are just hoping for a transfer with the other.

 

[RDU Irish]

Average player ranking is great, but having only 1 guy in the 17 class after 3 years of teams ranked outside of the top 30 in recruits is a bit tough.

ND standards are low (which is the point). Like I said, I have set the correct expectations with myself. If they ever nail a couple top 10-15 classes in a row, and have some decent upper class leadership coming back, then I'll start to up my expectations. Until then, I'm just a fan cheering for his team win or lose.

This isn't football with 100 teams (realistically 60ish) vying for top talent. D1 basketball has 300 teams and a much higher draw for early playing time. Smaller classes and more teams competing for talent - outside of ten schools seriously in the market for Top 25 recruits who ain't playin' school, the next 100 players have 100 good options.

 

[Irish YJ]

That's how basketball recruiting works for 4-year programs. You only have 12-13 slots available, and you have to account for transfers, so ND essentially took 7 players in those classes. Harvey and Durham in '17, then Laz, Carmody, Hubb, Doherty and Goodwin in '18.

You have 13 slots (that's 3.25/year). A top team that relies on a lot of one-and-doners should consistently take high numbers per year 4-6. A team that has a mix, 3-5. A team that doesn't get too many one and doners, 2-4. Those are "healthy numbers". ND doesn't get a lot of one and doners, and still has massive swings in numbers. In 17, 1 guy. In 19, we have zero commits thus far. Sorry guys, spin it however you'd like, but the only consistency is inconsistency. Sure we'll have stars align at times, but normalcy is something I just don't see. Some spans are better than others, some years good, some bad... but the last 5 have been inconsistent as hell.

This isn't football with 100 teams (realistically 60ish) vying for top talent. D1 basketball has 300 teams and a much higher draw for early playing time. Smaller classes and more teams competing for talent - outside of ten schools seriously in the market for Top 25 recruits who ain't playin' school, the next 100 players have 100 good options.

I've been following BBall recruiting my entire life (I'm almost 50) across both IU and ND specifically. I'm pretty familiar with how things work. D1 might have 300 teams, but realistically far fewer real programs. And of course there's better odds of early PT. Not sure what your point is.

 

[Woneone]

You have 13 slots (that's 3.25/year). A top team that relies on a lot of one-and-doners should consistently take high numbers per year 4-6. A team that has a mix, 3-5. A team that doesn't get too many one and doners, 2-4. Those are "healthy numbers". ND doesn't get a lot of one and doners, and still has massive swings in numbers. In 17, 1 guy. In 19, we have zero commits thus far. Sorry guys, spin it however you'd like, but the only consistency is inconsistency. Sure we'll have stars align at times, but normalcy is something I just don't see. Some spans are better than others, some years good, some bad... but the last 5 have been inconsistent as hell.



I've been following BBall recruiting my entire life (I'm almost 50) across both IU and ND specifically. I'm pretty familiar with how things work. D1 might have 300 teams, but realistically far fewer real programs. And of course there's better odds of early PT. Not sure what your point is.

In fairness, the 2019 class could "potentially" have what amounts to two member class in Carmody and Doherty if they red shirt him next year (which is an if depending on Laz development and Durham's durability concerns).

5th year guys are a pretty big role in ND's success as well (which is why burning Mooney's freshman year chaps my butt). Djogo would have a 5th year if we offered, so that essentially puts him in DJ's class. Lord help me, but I still hold out hope for him. He's so lanky and pretty athletic (I think he's far and away our best zone defender), rebounds well, and has shot it ok this year. But my word is he a walking turnover.

I won't argue that we've put ourselves in a hole with class distribution, especially pulling a goose-egg in 2019 (sans grad transfers). Some of those "consistency" recruiting issues you see are, I believe, based on who the staff considers basically on the 5-year track and it's impact moving forward. That's why it's imperative we fill 2020 with at least an impact player or two.

 

[Irish YJ]

In fairness, the 2019 class could "potentially" have what amounts to two member class in Carmody and Doherty if they red shirt him next year (which is an if depending on Laz development and Durham's durability concerns).

5th year guys are a pretty big role in ND's success as well (which is why burning Mooney's freshman year chaps my butt). Djogo would have a 5th year if we offered, so that essentially puts him in DJ's class. Lord help me, but I still hold out hope for him. He's so lanky and pretty athletic (I think he's far and away our best zone defender), rebounds well, and has shot it ok this year. But my word is he a walking turnover.

I won't argue that we've put ourselves in a hole with class distribution, especially pulling a goose-egg in 2019 (sans grad transfers). Some of those "consistency" recruiting issues you see are, I believe, based on who the staff considers basically on the 5-year track and it's impact moving forward. That's why it's imperative we fill 2020 with at least an impact player or two.

Even with a school who relies heavily on 5th years, you're average is still 2.6/year, and certainly not all RS. So you're really looking at 3 or more realistically. I just hope they can get back to a healthy average. You're always going to have an outlier every once in a while, but twice in 3 years is a little harsh. The good thing about BB, is that it only takes a few cycles to get back on track, and a few good classes in a row to really make an impact.

 

[NDMIA]

For the 2019 cycle, ND was looking to bring 2-3 guys maximum. That’s moved to 2 guys with Rex Pfleuger surprisingly coming back. In terms of numbers being so small, Brey knew he could go big game hunting in the 2019 class. I think he’s realized that ND is close to getting to the top tier of talent in recruiting and had the opportunity this cycle. He whiffed on Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Cole Anthony, Isaiah Stewart and other 5 star dudes. That’s going to happen and it’s okay. The issue is not having Chris Ledlum in the class. I’m not saying Chris Ledlum specifically needs to be in the class, but those consensus 4* recruits that are top 100 players can help you and need some time and attention to get them on campus. For the 2020 cycle you basically need to find 6-7 guys which isn’t going to be easy at all. It would be best if ND adds 2 guys in the spring. Still plenty of time for ND to add bodies, but also Brey works really well when he has a stuffed roster because their player development is strong and older players tend to get better at ND. Get old and stay old is something I think Brey says. Hopefully they bring in a 2019 dude and maybe a transfer that sits a year to their squad.

 

[RDU Irish]

You have 13 slots (that's 3.25/year). A top team that relies on a lot of one-and-doners should consistently take high numbers per year 4-6. A team that has a mix, 3-5. A team that doesn't get too many one and doners, 2-4. Those are "healthy numbers". ND doesn't get a lot of one and doners, and still has massive swings in numbers. In 17, 1 guy. In 19, we have zero commits thus far. Sorry guys, spin it however you'd like, but the only consistency is inconsistency. Sure we'll have stars align at times, but normalcy is something I just don't see. Some spans are better than others, some years good, some bad... but the last 5 have been inconsistent as hell.



I've been following BBall recruiting my entire life (I'm almost 50) across both IU and ND specifically. I'm pretty familiar with how things work. D1 might have 300 teams, but realistically far fewer real programs. And of course there's better odds of early PT. Not sure what your point is.

My impression is you are expecting us to get consistent top 20 classes but you also acknowledge we will have low average quantities due to one-and-done and fifth year dynamics. The way these rankings work it is heavily skewed to larger classes. Last year the top 5 classes took 14 five star players and 25 total recruits. Then next five took 26 players - four of which were 5 star. That's 51 players off the board, 18 five stars and 3 three stars. The highest rated 3 person classes (13 Vandy and 14 UNC) had two 5 star players each. The next two (18 USC and 19 Florida) had one 5 matched with two 4s.

I have a hard time seeing us hitting those numbers in a 3 person class, which should be our normal high range in 2-3/year plus occasional transfers.

I think the better test for us is average player ranking on the squad, which is on the rise. I'll give Brey a lot of slack to see what he can do with a pile of Top 100 players on the roster.

Shooting for stars is great but 2019 is the year we need to bring in the some future beef to the roster. Hard time seeing Las as a post presence, Doherty looks scrappy and athletic but is a bit undersized. One more year of Mooney and two of Durham - then what? Brey has tremendous history of developing bigs - that is where he finds value. Is this not the perfect spot to pick up the next Harangody/Cooley/Mooney that needs few years of work before they are ready to take on the ACC slate of NBA lottery picks?

Get that big bird in the hand for one spot - shoot for stars with the other and if you miss hit the transfer market hard. But you have to pick up two this year so you "only" have four open spots in 2020. Blanking on 2019 would be gross negligence on a number of levels. Throw in a transfer and you could stare at 7 open spots for 2020? Absurd.

 

[RDU Irish]

So Brey pretty much has all of his hope in the Tre Mitchell basket and not much for Plan B at this point? He has to have some idea on a transfer - how can he have two one person classes in three years otherwise? Most of the kids have signed and we got nuttin?

 

[arrowryan]

So Brey pretty much has all of his hope in the Tre Mitchell basket and not much for Plan B at this point? He has to have some idea on a transfer - how can he have two one person classes in three years otherwise? Most of the kids have signed and we got nuttin?

I don’t think there is a plan b because I think that would’ve been initiated at this point. Even if he does get a transfer or two, I would hate to have to rely on transfers. Notre Dame is a good enough program where they should get kids out high school with ease.

Idk what happened with the 2018 class, that class was so good. Every other class in the last 5 years have been somewhere between mediocre and terrible.

 

[RDU Irish]

I don’t think there is a plan b because I think that would’ve been initiated at this point. Even if he does get a transfer or two, I would hate to have to rely on transfers. Notre Dame is a good enough program where they should get kids out high school with ease.

Idk what happened with the 2018 class, that class was so good. Every other class in the last 5 years have been somewhere between mediocre and terrible.

I agree from a transfer perspective - we have piles of minutes for next year so I am not sure what gun needs to be hired for next year. A transfer sits and shares is essentially same track as the five frosh - only makes the logjam worse. How TF aren't we on a few 100-200 level bigs that fully expect/need to sit for a year or two?

Last eight years - 24 signees, 10 Top 100 guys (42%) of which five were last two years. Six were worse than 150 (25%) - 75% ranked 150 or higher. I guess I don't see that as terrible and the trajectory is pretty good from a quality perspective.

2018 #65, 86, 87, 100 and 316
2017 #49 Harvey
2016 #88 Gibbs, #146 Mooney and #251 Djogo
2015 #103 Ryan, #116 Pflueger and #197 Burns
2014 #126 Geben, #139 Colson and #422 Farrell
2013 #34 DJ, #74 VJ, #106 Vasturia, #365 Torres
2012 #108 Auguste, #256 Burgett and #40 Biedscheid
2011 #97 Connaughton and #125 Katenda

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

I don’t think there is a plan b because I think that would’ve been initiated at this point. Even if he does get a transfer or two, I would hate to have to rely on transfers. Notre Dame is a good enough program where they should get kids out high school with ease.

Idk what happened with the 2018 class, that class was so good. Every other class in the last 5 years have been somewhere between mediocre and terrible.

You're right.

It would be awful to have to rely on a transfer like Scott Martin or Ben Hansbrough coming in to help the program... Oh, wait.

 

[arrowryan]

You're right.

It would be awful to have to rely on a transfer like Scott Martin or Ben Hansbrough coming in to help the program... Oh, wait.

Well yeah, if you go back far enough you’re bound to find a transfer or two that worked out. But I try not to have to back over 10 years ago to find something that worked out.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Well yeah, if you go back far enough you’re bound to find a transfer or two that worked out. But I try not to have to back over 10 years ago to find something that worked out.

Find me some incoming transfers that "didn't work".

 

[arrowryan]

Find me some incoming transfers that "didn't work".

Sherman was alright, I wouldn’t call him a success like Hansborough or even Martin. Durham has a looonnnnggg way to go, but it’s too early to have an opinion about it.

I’m a fan of transfers as long as they’re a fit. But if I had the choice between a high school recruit and a transfer, then I’ll take the recruit probably 8/10.

“Well, we’re failing on the recruiting trail so let’s just hope we can get a transfer or two in the spring” doesn’t sit well with me. And that almost seems like what’s going on at the moment.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Sherman was alright, I wouldn’t call him a success like Hansborough or even Martin. Durham has a looonnnnggg way to go, but it’s too early to have an opinion about it.

I’m a fan of transfers as long as they’re a fit. But if I had the choice between a high school recruit and a transfer, then I’ll take the recruit probably 8/10.

“Well, we’re failing on the recruiting trail so let’s just hope we can get a transfer or two in the spring” doesn’t sit well with me. And that almost seems like what’s going on at the moment.

Garrick averaged (off the top of my head), around 14/8 as a senior. That's pretty darn solid. So, sounds like Brey has never messed up by getting a transfer. Agreed, Durham is obviously way to early to tell.

Long story short, transfers are not how you build a program up. But they can be useful for plug and play / filling in recruiting class gaps / polishing off a young group with a veteran leader (grad transfers).

Obviously getting "your guy" off the bat is ideal, but it would be a mistake to not utilize all your resources. Brey has needed to do it before, and has capitalized on it.

 

[Irish YJ]

My impression is you are expecting us to get consistent top 20 classes but you also acknowledge we will have low average quantities due to one-and-done and fifth year dynamics. The way these rankings work it is heavily skewed to larger classes. Last year the top 5 classes took 14 five star players and 25 total recruits. Then next five took 26 players - four of which were 5 star. That's 51 players off the board, 18 five stars and 3 three stars. The highest rated 3 person classes (13 Vandy and 14 UNC) had two 5 star players each. The next two (18 USC and 19 Florida) had one 5 matched with two 4s.

I have a hard time seeing us hitting those numbers in a 3 person class, which should be our normal high range in 2-3/year plus occasional transfers.

I think the better test for us is average player ranking on the squad, which is on the rise. I'll give Brey a lot of slack to see what he can do with a pile of Top 100 players on the roster.

Shooting for stars is great but 2019 is the year we need to bring in the some future beef to the roster. Hard time seeing Las as a post presence, Doherty looks scrappy and athletic but is a bit undersized. One more year of Mooney and two of Durham - then what? Brey has tremendous history of developing bigs - that is where he finds value. Is this not the perfect spot to pick up the next Harangody/Cooley/Mooney that needs few years of work before they are ready to take on the ACC slate of NBA lottery picks?

Get that big bird in the hand for one spot - shoot for stars with the other and if you miss hit the transfer market hard. But you have to pick up two this year so you "only" have four open spots in 2020. Blanking on 2019 would be gross negligence on a number of levels. Throw in a transfer and you could stare at 7 open spots for 2020? Absurd.

I've actually said that I've got low expectations in terms of class rankings as well as performance, and have accepted the fact that we'll be good when the stars align.

That said, ND doesn't rely at all on one and dones, so remove that element when it comes to class size. 5th years yes to an extent. Regardless, a healthy ND class size on a yearly basis should be 3-4 guys. Every once in a while it should skew to 2 or 5. When you're getting to the extremes (0,1, or 6 or more), someone is shitting the bed.

I am a much bigger fan of average player/star rating than overall. But that's assuming you have a healthy and consistent yearly number of recruits. And there are PLENTY of 3 person classes in the top 25.

ND's track record
Class size / Class Rank / Average
2019 (none thus far)
2018 - 5/15/95
2017 - 1/106/98
2016 - 3/40/90
2015 - 3/43/92
2014 - 3/55/88
2013 - 4/17/92
2012 - 3/30/93
2011 - 2/57/93
2010 - 3/49/90

So per above, for 7 years, from 2010-2016, we had healthy class sizes, but on average 3 star talent. 2017-2018 we had unhealthy class sizes but on average 4 star talent. The 2018 class will benefit ND for the next 3-4 years. The 2017 class size, hurt this year, and combined with the 2019 size (or lack there of), will hurt over the next 4-5 years. Whiffing on 2019 IMO kills the 2018 momentum from many perspectives. 2018 made up for 2017, but 2019 is putting us right back in the unhealthy hole.

My point is, for a school like ND, which is not a one and done school, to be successful consistently (which is what most people bitch about in this thread), we need to 1) maintain a healthy class size, and 2) stay in the 4 star average range (94-98). Those are two things we should be able to do. I'd be happy if healthy and in the 92-95 range on average.

 

[RDU Irish]

My low IQ thinking is Rex, Mooney, Gibbs and Harvey with four talented sophomores + Durham is a pretty deep roster of high quality guys. Where exactly is the huge gaping hole that needs to be filled by a one or two year guy on grad transfer? If they need to sit a year on a regular transfer - I can see the need for a PG or and an athletic big to fill in the 2020 roster. Ideally those guys would be 2019 freshmen so they have eligibility past our 2018 guys instead of soph or junior ending up on the same eligibility schedule. Hard to stay old when everyone is the same age.

Scott and Ben were brought in to teams with a fraction of our current talent. Tyrone Nash, Joey Brooks, Mike Broghammer, Tom Knight, Alex Dragicevich - yeah I'd be happy bringing in Martin and Hansbrough into that roster too.

Durham is a great transfer even if he is made of glass. We had tons of room and he is a super high ceiling guy filling an area of high need.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

My low IQ thinking is Rex, Mooney, Gibbs and Harvey with four talented sophomores + Durham is a pretty deep roster of high quality guys. Where exactly is the huge gaping hole that needs to be filled by a one or two year guy on grad transfer? If they need to sit a year on a regular transfer - I can see the need for a PG or and an athletic big to fill in the 2020 roster. Ideally those guys would be 2019 freshmen so they have eligibility past our 2018 guys instead of soph or junior ending up on the same eligibility schedule. Hard to stay old when everyone is the same age.

Scott and Ben were brought in to teams with a fraction of our current talent. Tyrone Nash, Joey Brooks, Mike Broghammer, Tom Knight, Alex Dragicevich - yeah I'd be happy bringing in Martin and Hansbrough into that roster too.

Durham is a great transfer even if he is made of glass. We had tons of room and he is a super high ceiling guy filling an area of high need.

Agreed with this.

Also, the only reason I mentioned past transfers was to show that Brey 1) knows when to do it 2) knows how to execute it... By no means suggesting we have to transfer. This team is going to be fine. Not worried in the slightest. Just a matter of "when", whether that's next year or the year after.

 

[RDU Irish]

My biggest concern is an athletic big - Tre Mitchell looks like a perfect fit for what we need/want. Work with Mooney/Durham in 2019, pair with Durham in 2020 and take over the paint 2021/22. If we blank on him you almost have to get a similar type out of transfer which is insane given Durham's injury history.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

My biggest concern is an athletic big - Tre Mitchell looks like a perfect fit for what we need/want. Work with Mooney/Durham in 2019, pair with Durham in 2020 and take over the paint 2021/22. If we blank on him you almost have to get a similar type out of transfer which is insane given Durham's injury history.

You also have to factor Nate into this...Yes, he'll be a stretch 4. But he's got the height/length and will be growing into his body.

Chris Doherty is another wildcard player (Brey's next diamond in the rough??)

 

[BabyIrish]

You also have to factor Nate into this...Yes, he'll be a stretch 4. But he's got the height/length and will be growing into his body.

Chris Doherty is another wildcard player (Brey's next diamond in the rough??)

Good point. The way Mooney started his career I never pictured him to be a force inside like he has this year. Nate could certainly develop the same way too

 

[Woneone]

Garrick averaged (off the top of my head), around 14/8 as a senior. That's pretty darn solid. So, sounds like Brey has never messed up by getting a transfer. Agreed, Durham is obviously way to early to tell.

Long story short, transfers are not how you build a program up. But they can be useful for plug and play / filling in recruiting class gaps / polishing off a young group with a veteran leader (grad transfers).

Obviously getting "your guy" off the bat is ideal, but it would be a mistake to not utilize all your resources. Brey has needed to do it before, and has capitalized on it.

Everyone always remembers Grant's heroics in the Louisville game, but after him and Cooley fouled out (and about every other big), Sherman was a stud.

Without him, that 13-14 could have been really rough.

 

[RDU Irish]

Good point. The way Mooney started his career I never pictured him to be a force inside like he has this year. Nate could certainly develop the same way too

Really have a hard time imagining him filling in to that role. Even if he does, you need another quality big on the roster for 2019 since Durham hasn't proven any durability. I think someone also needs to be seasoned for meaningful minutes in 2020 so we aren't relying on Las and Durham only.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Really have a hard time imagining him filling in to that role. Even if he does, you need another quality big on the roster for 2019 since Durham hasn't proven any durability. I think someone also needs to be seasoned for meaningful minutes in 2020 so we aren't relying on Las and Durham only.

Again, Chris Doherty is on the team too. He completely fits the mold for a Brey- junior season surprise - mold.

 

[Woneone]

Is the game working for anyone on watch ESPN?

 

[Woneone]

Brey needs to do what Beilein did and get a defensive guy on staff. The fact that we are playing 2-3 an entire game against Boston freaking College is staggering.

Edit: They went man right after I posted this.