Thomas Noie: Welcome back everybody, and welcome to the May chat for Notre Dame men's basketball. There's been no shortage of news with the transfer portal winding down, scheduling stuff coming into focus and recruiting, recruiting, recruiting of the 2025 class, which has to be a big class for Notre Dame, hitting another gear. Plenty to ponder and discuss today. Make sure you leave your name and hometown with your question or comment. With that, you know the rest - let's light this chat candle.
New guys:How did incoming Notre Dame men's basketball freshmen fare their senior seasons?
Brady: Now that the roster is finalized, what do you think the starting 5 will look likeThomas Noie: Brady: If I were a betting man (don't touch that stuff) I would've put up big money that this would be the first question for today. A logical query, and probably one that will be asked a half dozen times today. Will have to couch it by saying it's way early to project what this roster will be with six new faces. But if Notre Dame were to play tonight, the starting lineup might be Markus Burton (point guard), Braeden Shrewsberry (shooting guard), Matt Allocco (wing guard), Tae Davis (small forward) and Kebba Njie (power forward). Love the Allocco addition. It gives that group instant versatility, to a point where there may not be at least 10 different starting lineups like last season.
Noie:Seeing is believing for this former Notre Dame men's basketball standout guard
Brady: How much do you think Nikita will play?Thomas Noie: Brady: What, no attempt at Nikita's last name? That would be Konstantynovskyi, which I can now type (correctly) without looking. Konstantynovskyi is a 6-foot-10 power forward transfer from Monmouth. He previously played at Tulsa and a junior college in Oklahoma. He's a guy that we have to see play. What does he do well? Can he grasp the defensive demands? Can he score? At the least, he'll be a double-digit minute guy by default. Here's more on Konstantynovskyi from last week:https://tinyurl.com/4fkrb3bs
Linas from Aliso Viejo: Hey Tom! Thanks for keeping the fire burning throughout the offseason. Super excited about the 3 grad transfers. Will improve shooting and rebounding. Burton is back so all is good. Nobody knows for sure but perhaps Calvin Booth had something to do with Carey Booth leaving. Do you think that will be a concern with Sir Mohammed and his NBA dad if his progress toward an NBA career doesn't go as planned in 2023-2024? Also, which of the three freshmen will be biggest contributor this season? Thanks!Thomas Noie: Linas: A lot to unpack there....breathe my man, breathe. Let's take them one at a time. The three graduate transfers will help, but not sure to what extent. Matt Allocco is the obvious one to step into a main role right away. The other two may be fit-in guys to start while seeing if they can grow their games to ACC levels. It won't be easy. Burton was never not back. When he wasn't invited to the NBA combine (for reasons that make zero sense), he wasn't going anywhere. As for Carey Booth, let's say that there were differences of opinion between the staff and Calvin Booth on how Carey was utilized last season. Don't think they'll go through anything remotely similar with Sir Mohammed, who should be the first incoming freshman to see the floor.
Brian Bultinck: If Burton has a 1st team All-ACC performance this year do you see him keeping his name in the draft and becoming a late 1st round pick?Thomas Noie: Brian: I get the question, but everyone must understand that for Notre Dame to be better and to continue to be better, it will need Burton to do less - not more - than what he did as the league's rookie of the year in 2023-24. He had to score. He had to find guys. he had to defend. he had to play heavy minutes. He doesn't have to do all of that this year. The talent has been upgraded, so he'll have help. Burton doesn't have to be THE guy, just one of the guys. That will help him. That will help the Irish. As for his future, given where the NBA is in terms of long, athletic guards, Burton would have to have an incredible year at his size and skill level. To make that jump, you have to have that one undeniable skill that sets you apart, especially at that size. What is it for Burton? Do we know? Does he know?Thomas Noie: The next step, after a solid sophom*ore season, would be to declare and actually be invited to the NBA draft combine in May 2025. Get evaluated. Talk with NBA personnel. Learn where his game fits. With what the college game is today, where players of Burton's caliber can make a really nice, comfortable and even lucrative living thanks to NIL, he should be in zero rush to chase the NBA. It will be there. At the end of the day, he might just be a really good college player playing college basketball in his hometown. And making a good (i.e. $$$) living. There's zero wrong with that.
Guest: Where is ND going to be playing this Thanksgiving?Thomas Noie: Is this a trick question??? Contractually, as of 9:38 a.m. Thursday, Notre Dame is obligated to play in the 2024 Rady's Children's Invitational in San Diego with Arkansas (Cal!) BYU and Purdue. That's expected to change. When all the legal jargon is ironed out, Notre Dame will be that not-yet-officially-named eight-team multi-team event (MTE) in Las Vegas that is NIL-driven. All eight teams will make $1 million toward their NIL funds for participating. It's a (bad) look for Notre Dame to bail on San Diego but in the long run, the right one. I'll have more of a say on it when it becomes official, maybe before the end of the month. Stay tuned.
Jim Reagan, Charlottesville, VA: Hello All! Tom, the Irish’s three 5th year recruits, while not All Stars, are experienced and skilled glue guys. All Team Players! They are atop the 🏀 learning curve that Schrews teaches and the returning players must climb. Thoughts?Thomas Noie: Jim: Thoughts? Lunch! Oh, that's next week. Never mind...lol. Seriously, though, I love Matt Allocco and what he can bring, and will reserve judgement on Nikita Konstantynovskyi and Burke Chebuhar until I see what they can do. I am a little surprised/disappointed/confused that Notre Dame didn't get an established big in the portal. Didn't get what they needed - a killer, in basketball terms. Seems as though they went deep down their portal wish list for two of the three guys. Why? That's a concern.
Mike from Rochester, NY: What does it say about recruiting when we land guys from the Ivy, Patriot and CAA who weren't even the best players on their teams, let alone all-conference?Thomas Noie: Mike: You read my column mind. I have a piece coming online Thursday morning and in Thursday's SBT on the very subject. Don't want to repeat what's coming, but what it says is that Notre Dame will not build through the portal. It's not going to go get guys just because it can go get guys. It will do it another way, either because of NIL or admissions or swings and misses or all of the above. I don't want to dump on the three grad transfers, because they may turn out to be pretty good. But in a day and age where teams restock their rosters through the portal, you expected Notre Dame to do more.
Joe Holtzinger: Tom, Thank you for the great job you doing covering NDMBB. When do you expect the entire schedule to be released for 24/25?Thomas Noie: Joe: Used to be the schedule was done in early August. Then mid-August. Then late August. Then around Labor Day. Now, if we get a final schedule before October, that's a win. Last year, the Notre Dame men's basketball schedule was released (checks email) on September 25. Basically, we're still four months out...😄
Zach: Portal haul felt a little underwhelming given the strong young backcourt and potential playing time for a wing/big man, would you agree with that assessment?Thomas Noie: Zach: Yes. I really like the Matt Allocco addition in terms of age and experience and court awareness and shot making. Nikita Konstantynovskyi and Burke Chebuhar are unknowns, and may continue to be through November and December and maybe January. I expected more. That's not being critical, but you're Notre Dame. You play in the ACC and you absolutely had, had, had to get an established big man. That Notre Dame didn't get one may be more of an indictment on college basketball ($$$) than Notre Dame.
Todd Waynesville, NC: Two part: 1– what seems to be the prevailing thought about the portal haul for ND? On paper, looks a bit underwhelming, but I like the pickups. All three seem to fit. 2 — Did we even stand a chance to get Dre Davis? Was disappointed we did not land him, but was left shaking my head as to his choice of Ole Miss. Your thoughts?Thomas Noie: Todd: Good to hear from you. Covered the incoming portal additions earlier in the chat, so scroll back for my take. Dre Davis was never an option coming out of Seton Hall. His NIL deal was said to start at $500,000, which wasn't something Notre Dame was willing to match. Also, had Davis joined his brother, Tae, at Notre Dame, it would've created a minutes logjam for one or the other or maybe both. In another time, it might have worked. Where Notre Dame is now, and maybe where Dre Davis is now, it wasn't going to work. Nice potential story. Not a nice fit.
Eamon: At what level do you thinkBurton and Shrewsberry will have to play for notre dame to make it into March and win a game in the tournament?Thomas Noie: Eamon: You spelled finish 10-10 and/or in the top half of the Atlantic Coast Conference wrong...lol. Make to March and win a game in the tournament? You mean the ACC tournament, right? It's good to shoot high and dream big, but this program went 7-13 in the league and finished 11th. It went 13-20 overall last year. It adds six new faces/players to a returning group that still struggled last year. Dreaming/planning/hoping for the NCAA tournament is nice, but let's start with what do Markus Burton and Braeden Shrewsberry have to do for Notre Dame to finish in the top half/middle of the 18-team ACC next year?Thomas Noie: That's going to be hard, but the way to get there is easy. For both. Burton has to improve his shooting numbers and shoot better than .421 percent from the field and .300 percent from 3. He also has to cut way, way, way back on his turnovers. He finished with 143 assists and 123 turnovers. Shrewsberry has to play the part of a legit/competent/capable shooting guard. He shot .398 percent from the field and .371 percent from 3. Both those percentages have to be over .400. With Matt Allocco and Cole Certa both coming aboard, Shrewsberry will have to either make shots at a better clip or do something he didn't do much of last year (28.3 minutes per game) - sit.
The Jet from Evansville: The two transfer portal big men that we acquired seem to be worse than what we got. Can I possibly be wrong?Thomas Noie: Jet: How can you be wrong? How can I be wrong? How can any of us be wrong about Nikita Konstantynovskyi and Burke Chebuhard? By not trusting the coaching staff. Maybe they know something we don't. Maybe Notre Dame got the best of the rest. Maybe the opportunity of a starting spot, 30 minutes a game, double figures for points and rebounds and a chance to play in the ACC doesn't hit with transfers the way it once did.
Tony: Tom, any thoughts on why Coach Shrews didn’t go after higher ranked transfers in the portal. I remember him saying he wanted to build this team with recruiting and only use the portal if needed. I hope he has a solid 2025 class.Thomas Noie: Tony: You answered your own concern/question. None of us are in those meetings with potential transfer additions when it comes to how they fit with the culture. Do they give off weird vibes? Did admissions limit the potential transfer pool? So many possible explanations.
Matt: Tom, how many do you think Shrews will try and sign for the 2025 class. I think 4 and then you have to see what JR and Markus do?Thomas Noie: Matt: Notre Dame will have at least four scholarships to offer the Class of 2025, where the staff already has done a ton of work to be insome of the top prospects in Indiana. Those four scholarships will come from this year's three graduate transfers and senior-to-be Julian Roper. A fifth scholarship opens if J.R. Konieczny decides it's time to move on or do something else besides basketball. Burton will remains the yearly wild card. Everyone will expect him to have this monster I'll-show-you type of season, but as mentioned earlier, Notre Dame doesn't need that from him the way it needed it last season. So for now, let's go with four and then see how this season shakes out. Odds there, there will be a transfer somewhere within the roster. Why? That's college basketball 2024 and beyond. Somebody always leaves because everybody CAN leave. The portal will touch every roster in every way (those coming, those going).
James C: Who will be the starting 5 for 24-25 seasonThomas Noie: James: A condensed answer to an earlier question about the starters - Markus Burton (point guard), Braeden Shrewsberry (shooting guard), Matt Allocco (wing guard), tae Davis (small forward) and Kebba Njie (power forward).
Dennis Huyvaert Osceola: Hi Tom , I have just one question . Carey Booth follows Coach over here from his Penn State commit . He is in the rotation this past year . Why did he leave ? Do you have any idea ? Thank you for your great work .Thomas Noie: Dennis: Something about Carey Booth and his place in the program forever changed the evening of January 24 in a home loss to Miami. He scored three points in 11 minutes after playing at least 22 minutes in six of the previous eight. After that game, Booth scored in single figures in eight straight and 11 of 13. His blank stare/look during the two games at the ACCT kind of said it all - I'm done. Booth (and likely his family) probably believes he should've done more and played more. He had chances. Booth averaged 19.9 minutes a game but shot 39.1 percent from the field, 29.7 percent from 3 and 63.4 percent from thefoul line, all numbers that scream young guy figuring it out. He (and his family) didn't want to stay and figure it out. This wasn't an NIL issue. This was a Booth/family issue.
Billy Mc: Tom - Do you think that Marcus Burton will spend more time off the ball this year given his ability to get his own shot?Thomas Noie: Billy: For his sanity, he better. He doesn't need to be the main handler all the time. Not with this team with Matt Allocco, who can handle, and Sir Mohammed, who might be the perfect fit as a point guard/distributor. Markus Burton had to beMARKUS BURTON!!!!last year because he didn't have much sustained help. That shouldn't be the case this year. The cast around him is better, which means he doesn't have to do everything. Get him off the ball. Get him to be a point guard first and a shooter second and everyone will benefit.
Dave from Alpha, NJ: Hello Tom. Thanks for always doing these chats.More of a comment/concern that an actual question.Thomas Noie: Dave: Thanks my man! I'll keep chatting if you keep reading....deal?
Joe from Chicago: Now that Notre Dame has 13 players on scholarship, do you see any red shirts for this coming season? I think possibly Logan Imes could red shirt as well as Cole Certaand Garrett, Sundra.Thomas Noie: Joe: Notre Dame needs as many ballhandlers and shotmakers as it can possibly get this season, so it's difficult to see Cole Certa or Logan Imes taking a redshirt. Imes played 545 minutes as a freshman and will/should be better just because of that. If Certa didn't play his senior year at IMG, I'd say he'd be amayyyyybefor the five-year plan, but that yeaer at IMG was basically a freshman year in college given the competition level he faced and the new role he had to play - off the ball, spot-up, defend, figure it out. If there is a five-year plan guy on the roster it's Garrett Sundra. He has to get bigger and stronger. If Micah Shrewsberry has enough pieces, he'll lean hard on four-around-one looks. Kebba Njie's going to play. Nikita Konstantynovskyi's going to play. It will be difficult to get a to a third big if all the puzzle pieces fit.
Frank from Mishawaka: Coach Shrewsbury and his assistants have been busy on the AAU circuit recently checking out 2025 prospects. Which of the following prospects(Cam Ward, Braylon Mullins, Trent Sisley) does Notre Dame really have a chance of getting?Thomas Noie: Frank: First, some housekeeping. Not a criticism and not singling you out, but the year grace period everyone got is over. It's SHREWSBERRY. If knuckleheads like me can get it right, the rest of you can as well. Now, on to the question. Of the top eight high school seniors to be in Indiana, Notre Dame is in good (so THEY say) on six of them. That includes Braylon Mullins, Trent Sisley, Azavier Robinson and Jalen Haralson. Do they have a chance of getting one of them? Two? Any? None? No clue. All depends on fit, but it won't be from a lack of effort from this staff. They've done the work. Now they have to do what the previous staff often didn't - finish.
Steven: With the only contributing players exiting the program being Zona and Booth. Did the Irish improve the roster or just fill spots. At first glance it doesn’t seem they got an athlete of Booths skill, but may have matched or surpassed production gone.Thomas Noie: Steven: You could argue and argue correctly that both holes remain. They needed an experienced big beyond Zona's ability, but didn't get one. They needed an athlete with upside similar to Booth but didn't get one. In a way, though, this team might be better because they main guys don't/won't have to do all the main stuff. Burton will have help. The perimeter will have help. Tae Davis will be better. Kebba Njie has to be better. If Konstantynovskyi hits, that's a big bonus, but I'd rather have added another known as opposed to the unknowns.
PortND: Since it's now been over a year under Coach Shrewsberry what has surprised you in a positive way and what has been something you may be concerned with?Thomas Noie: Port: Great question, and one that, at least in the 10 seconds of consideration, might have the same answer and that would be just how freaking hard Shrewsberry gets after it. In practices (so we've been told) and definitely in games. He's coaching every single second of every single possession. Watch him work a game and you get worn out. Always moving, always talking, always calling out what sets to run and when. For a young team, for last year's team, that was understandable. Needed. As the core gets older, I'd like to see him just stand there on the sideline and be. Let the guys who have been in the system three and four years figure it out. That can be beautiful basketball as well. It doesn't always have to be so structured and regimented. Trust your system. Trust your guys. Let it flow.
Todd, Charlotte, NC: Where does Nikita Konstantynovskyi fit into the post rotation?Thomas Noie: Todd: If Notre Dame played today, as the first backup big off the bench for Kebba Njie. Maybe that changes as everything moves forward. Maybe he stuns everyone and becomes a legit ACC low-post guy. Maybe.
Todd, Charlotte, NC: And Burke Chebuhar?Thomas Noie: A program guy. End of the rotation who preaches the gospel of Shrewsberry and is a connector for guys who may need a pep talk now and then. He'll have the longest of leashes in terms of giving him time to play. He was a D-III guy to start and a walk-on at Lehigh. This isn't a knock on Chebuhar, but this is the ACC. Hard to expect any big leaps from him, though a little leap would be nice. 😄
Toddvb: Are more transfer portal players coming?Thomas Noie: Todd: Notre Dame's roster is maxed out at 13 scholarship players for 2024-25, so there will be no more additions (or subtractions) as spring becomes summer and summer becomes fall and fall becomes basketball season.Thomas Noie: A reminder - a lot of GUESTS in the queue today. If you want a question or comment to be included, please include your name and hometown. Thanks!
Robert from the Bend: In terms of NIL and not being able to get a better known player from the portal, how does Notre Dame solve that? Is there a non affiliated group from the university that can provide funds?Thomas Noie: Robert: I'd pump the brakes on the belief that what Notre Dame did or didn't do in the portal this spring is NIL-related. NIL might be a ticking point, gut no more so than admissions. Look at Notre Dame's transfer history since immediate eligibility became a thing. It's not an accident that graduate transfers have been a popular path to Notre Dame. If you want to come to Notre Dame based solely on what your NIL will be, you're probably not going to go to Notre Dame.
Ryan Mars PA: Tom with Burton coming Back And The transfers coming to Notre Dame i think the Team Will Do Good next year Go Irish what do you think about them maybe making a tournament run next yearThomas Noie: Ryan: Great to hear from you my man. An ACC tournament run, right? Notre Dame finished 11th and went 7-13 in the ACC last year. It went 13-20 overall. It might be too big of a jump to think this team will get to the NCAA tournament next season. That would be a nice surprise, but the next step is 10-10 or 11-9 or 12-8 if everything breaks right. NCAA still is a big ask.
PortND: How is NDMBB with regards to NIL budget? Have to imagine the Paxson cooperative will be a help.Football clearly has embraced and many claiming they have one of the larger NIL budgets.Thomas Noie: Port: NIL numbers is like Fight Club. And what's the first rule of Fight Club? You don't talk about Fight Club. Getting exact NIL numbers is like asking your buddy his annual salary. It's not something readily offered or available. That said, Notre Dame has enough in NIL to be competitive in the basketball arena. Will it ever be at a point like football where it's getting the needed transfer for $$$? Probably not. A clear indication of that is how Shrewsberry has chosen to build back the program. Not through high-priced NIL additions, but the traditional route of recruiting and player development.
Mike from Rochester, NY: Tom- it seems like Indiana remains well stocked with top HS prospects.Do you think it's viable for Shrews to land a couple of top recruits from the state each year (e.g., Sisley, Robinson, Mullins) and then focus elsewhere for the rest of the class, or is it unrealistic to beat IU and Purdue in those battles?Also seems like IU's portal focus could provide an opening there.Thomas Noie: Mike: Knowing Micah Shrewsberry, he's not about to concede a recruiting backseat to anybody, especially in the state of Indiana. Worry about Purdue and Indiana for this prospect or that one? Think Shrewsberry believes you have to worry about Notre Dame getting this kid or that one. Shrewsberry and his staff have done too much work in state not to see it pay off with a top prospect or two.
Robert from the Bend: Notre Dame recently offered Ryder Frost(6'6") who played on the same AAU team that Pat Connaughton once played on. He seems to be a high IQ guy, but does he just clutter the wing position?Thomas Noie: Robert: Did I miss that he's committed? That he's headed for Notre Dame? Don't confuse an offer with a commitment. It's Notre Dame doing its due recruiting diligence. Notre Dame saw Frost play and saw him play well. Extend an offer and add that option to your big board. Nobody has any idea how it eventually all plays out. Better to say, hey, we saw you, we like you, we want you during the May evaluation period than July, when kids wonder, wait, where were you two months ago. As for wings, as we saw last year, you can never have enough of them - and when you don't have enough of them, it's a struggle.
Jim Tal, Valley Center CA.: Tom, a big picture question. In your opinion, how long will it be before ND will be expected to a consistent Big Dance team? Based upon some of the vibe I am picking up, that might not be until Shrewsberry is in his fourth year. What is a realistic timetable for that to actually happen?Thomas Noie: Jim: That's the ultimate moving the goalposts/sliding scale concern, right? When Micah Shrewsberry took over in March 2023 with only three scholarship players, the target return to NCAA relevancy was three years. Then you saw them play, and finish among the worst teams in Division I last year for scoring and shooting and ball security. The logic there was, OK, add another year to the rebuild. It would be something for Notre Dame to get back to NCAA relevancy in four years. Last year was Year One. That means three more years, right? Not necessarily. Let's say we see improvement in scoring and shot-making and ball security this year. Notre Dame wins a few more games it has no business winning. The returning guys are better, the young guys are ready. Notre Dame goes from 7-13 in the ACC last year to 10-10 or 11-9 this year. Recruiting delivers. Then the timetable moves back to maybe three years - with the 2025-26 being the breakthrough/breakout year....Thomas Noie: ...Micah Shrewsberry has been here exactly 14 months to the day (hiring was March 22, 2023), but there's still so much we don't know about him or his program. I'll keep the NCAA target at four years from time of hiring. 😄
John S: I'm struggling to reconcile the notion that "ND has enough NIL to be competitive in basketball" with what played out in the transfer market this offseason. Notre Dame doesn't need to "build through the portal" but it needs to be able to plug holes when guys leave through the portal (which will happen every year). They whiffed in that regard this offseason after Booth left and I worry this approach will leave ND with uneven roster construction moving forward when guys leave and ND is unable/unwilling to go after plug-and-play replacements. It's similar to Clemson's approach in football which has them falling farther and farther behind.Thomas Noie: John: Similar to Clemson? Huh? Clemson categorically refuses to use the portal. Schools like Notre Dame can use it, but only within the guidelines of the institution. I don't know if I'd automatically assume that Notre Dame has an NIL issue as much as it has an admissions issues. It doesn't always come down to money, even though money today is what drives nearly everything in college decisions (how weird is that to say/write/think?). Look at Notre Dame men's basketball as a whole since immediate eligibility became an option. Where do Notre Dame transfers who are not graduate transfers come from? Northwestern (Julian Roper), Seton hall (Tae Davis) and Penn State (Kebba Njie). That's not an accident. It's also not an accident that the only transfers in this cycle are graduate transfers from lesser leagues. Notre Dame has enough NIL to compete, but Notre Dame also is desperately holding to the notion that it's not going to throw its doors open to anyone for basketball.
Bill from South Bend: Tom, ND has done well recruiting these 5th year guys during the COVID era with their extra year of eligibility. It has mostly been a great thing for the Irish. We get mature guys and the admissions process is easier, as they are applying as new grad students (usually B school) instead of traditional undergrads from HS - or worse - as undergrad transfers. This, of course, is the last year ND can take advantage of the COVID bonus year thing. What tools can Shrews use to still recruit similar players after this year?Thomas Noie: Bill: It's more of a Notre Dame question than a Shrewsberry question. No more going and getting the top Ivy League graduate transfer. That's over. It's clear by what Notre Dame did (or didn't do) in the portal this spring that Shrewsberry has been encouraged to build through traditional recruiting. Look at the answer to the previous question...think it says a lot of where Notre Dame stands in the transfer world. It's grad transfers or bust.
Bill from South Bend: Tom: College basketball as a whole seems to be doing a lot more exciting things. Games in special places (ND women in Paris last year comes to mind) and some rather exciting noncon matchups. ND does this type of stuff well with football of course, but it seems athletics doesn't have much imagination when it comes to men's basketball. Sure, they are sending the guys to this new Vegas tournament, but that's an NIL play and it seems like it fell in ND's lap (not something athletics went far out of the way to make happen). You'd think ND would do something special like find a way to play two games (men's and women's) in the United Center in Chicago one Saturday in November and make a splash with alumni and the media. Where is the extra ummmph?Thomas Noie: Bill: Honestly, one of the first orders of business new athletic director Pete Bevacqua needs to do is hit the men's basketball office with a defibrillator. CLEAR!!!! Bang. CLEAR!!! Bang. Everything about the program from a presentation standpoint has grown old and stale and doesn't move the meter at all. Go to an Irish home game and every timeout threatens to break the cringe-o-meter. No creativity. No advancing ahead. No nothing. The whole presentation needs a total teardown. Same goes for finding creative ways to sell the program outside the campus bubble. Micah Shrewsberry has often said that he's not afraid to go play anyone or anywhere. That's license for the administration to take the idea and run with it. Instead, crickets. Where's the life over there? Hello? Anyone alive? Defibrillator, please.
Illinois Fool: What role will Julian Roper II play next seasonThomas Noie: IF: The one he seemingly embraces late in the year as a reserve who brings energy and hustle and the occasional basket. Roper is not a starter. He's not a heavy minutes guy. He can be an effective piece if used the right way for his defense and hustle. Let the others handle the heavy lifting. Stay in his role and he can contribute.
Frank from Mishawaka: I personally like the rebuild through recruiting instead of the quick fix route of hitting the portal. Not that you can compare Notre Dame to Purdue, but Painter seems to recruit and develop his guys. Shrewsbury seems to be a tireless worker on the court, so I can imagine that he and his staff need to be like that off the court to get the right fit for Notre Dame.Thomas Noie: Frank: There's a reason why Micah Shrewsberry looks at programs like Marquette and Purdue and wonders, why can that be us?
John S: How hard did ND have to fight off other suitors (and how much of its NIL budget did it have to deploy) to retain Markus Burton this offseason?Thomas Noie: John: There never was a sense as last season wound down that Notre Dame was in any danger of losing Markus Burton to another school based on NIL. As one person who knows put it, there's an NIL deal for Irish men's basketball, and then there's an NIL deal for Markus Burton. He's got a nice life (comfortable six figures) as a good college basketball player.
Frank from Mishawaka: Piggybacking off Bill's question, Notre Dame needs to put the ummmph back into the Men's home games. Even after last year season ticket prices went UP in certain in some areas of the arena. Maybe they need to have an upper arena area priced to accommodate having noisy grade school kids to bring some life to the place.Thomas Noie: Frank: Cannot agree more. The whole place/presentationneeds a reboot/recharge. Except, of course, the media who cover the team...they're good. 😄
Elliott from South Bend: What are Tony Sanders plans? Moving on from basketball? Didn’t get to see too much of him on the court, but he seemed like a great teammate.Thomas Noie: Elliott: As far as I know, Tony Sanders never officially entered the transfer portal. He has one more year of eligibility remaining if he chooses to use it. He might just decide that it's time to start a new chapter and put that Notre Dame degree to use. No shame in that. It happens. Good dude who never found a spot. It happens.
Robert from the Bend: In terms of recruiting, does Steven Reynolds from nearby SB Washington have a possible chance of landing at Notre Dame?Thomas Noie: Robert: Steven Reynolds is finishing his sophom*ore year at South Bend Washington High School, and he's one to keep an eye on for Notre Dame. He's definitely on their short list for 2026, even though 2026 seems light years away.
Bob from Chicago: Hi, and thanks for the chat. Do you know if Coach Shrewsberry has a preferred rotation size? For example, would he stick with an 8 player rotation even if he has more players that can contribute?Thomas Noie: Bob: Nine different players averaged double figures for minutes last season. The preferred rotation size may be eight, but not the same eight. Guys would rotate in and out of the main core based on various criteria. Shrewsberry has never been someone with a set rotation of these X guys for X minutes. It's sometimes game by game - or half by half.
Phil from Mishawaka: ND is in tie ball game next season to a team that does not have a dominant big man and Burton exits in the last 4 minutes with a foul out or injury, what 5 would you want to see on the floor with respect to talent and experience?Thomas Noie: Phil: Great question. I'm rolling with Sir Mohammed, Braeden Shrewsberry, Matt Allocco, Tae Davis and ... Julian Roper. Let's ride.
Robert from the Bend: Thanks for having these chats and keeping us fans more in touch with the program. Love your straight forward answers to the questions asked, no matter how repetitive they are. Shouting from the back row, "KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK MY MAN"Thomas Noie: Robert: Many thanks...but plenty of seats up front here ... it's Notre Dame men's basketball with a small but spirited core! 😄😄
Ray: Hi Tom. This is Ray from Southern California. Assuming ND has no significant injuries this upcoming season, what's the chances in a percentage that they make the dance?Thomas Noie: Ray: Slim. Too big of a leap with too many unknowns with a roster of too many maybes...don't count 'em out, but don't hold your breath. Not next year.
PortND: Clemson football has refused to take transfers but hoops has used the portal very effectively, Girard was big get for them last year over ND.Thomas Noie: Port: Having PJ Hall and Ira Schiefflein and the Hunter brothers also helped. Girard was the perfect transfer for the perfect team at the perfect time. Sort of like Paul Atkinson. One guy, one year, maxed it out and nearly got to the Sweet 16 (still shoulda beat Texas Tech!)
The Jet from Evansville: Do you know where Van Allen-Luben is heading next year?Thomas Noie: Ven-Allen Lubin is transferring to his third school in three years after one year at Vanderbilt. There were rumblings that he was looking at Mississippi State (not sure that's happening) and North Carolina (he visited Chapel Hill but apparently has not yet been offered). Lubin had a "DO NOT CONTACT" tag to his name when he entered the transfer portal, which usually means he knows where he's going. Might be time to return closer to his home in Florida. He gave Northern Indiana and Tennessee a shot. Third time will be somewhere he knows a little better.
Phil from Mishawaka: ND sniffing the NCAAT next season (in a league with a lot of middling and mediocre teams) depends on the improvement of Davis and the impact of Mohammad, yes or no?Thomas Noie: Phil: Let's go with ... maybe. Does Sir Mohammed have to have an impact? Yep. Does Tae Davis need to improve? Double yep. But there also are so many other factors - can the Irish score it and shoot it and take care of it way better than they did last year? Can they continue to defend and rebound? There was some slippage there toward the end of last year. Can guys we don't see coming (Markus Burton last season) not be bothered by the bright lights of college basketball? Can Micah Shrewsberry be a better coach in Year Two? Can the Irish get lucky? Soooooo many factors factor into a program like Notre Dame getting a bid.
Jeff from Newport News, VA: Hey Tom.Thanks again for doing these chats. No many other places to find information these days on Notre Dame basketball! Do you know any non-conference opponents for this year other than the Vegas tournament and SEC challenge?Thomas Noie: Jeff: Notre Dame has a return game at Georgetown this year to close out its two-year series with the Hoyas. The Marquette home-and-home ended last year (thankfully). The SEC Challenge game is expected to be on the road again, which, as of now, leaves Notre Dame without a "marquee" home non-league game. Haven't heard if there's anything in the works there - Notre Dame doesn't like to comment on anything before it's official. Other than Vegas, it will be the usual low to mid mid-major non-league games in November and December. Notre Dame again will play 20 Atlantic Coast Conference games.
John Phoenix, AZ: If everything goes according to plan, what is your vision of what ND basketball under Coach S. looks like three years from now in year 4?Thomas Noie: John: Great question. One that has taken some thought. Here it goes - Ideally, in Year Four for Micah Shrewsberry, Notre Dame will have a veteran roster with a few Indiana natives who took a leap of faith and declined the overtures of Indiana and Purdue to play in South Bend. It's a team that is among the top three of the Atlantic Coast Conference in scoring and defense and assists. It can attack opponents in different ways, with no set lineup of guards/forwards/etc. It moves the ball and runs endless actions that keeps defenses guessing. It can score 70+ and win. It can score in the 50s and win. It's among the top six teams in the ACC and does enough year in and year out to not have to sweat Selection Sunday. There might be a pro or two in the program, but for the most part, it's a team built the way teams used to be built - through recruiting and player development. It's a program where some wonder if the head coach, who has logged thousands of hours building this all back, might eye the NBA...how's that?
Phil from Mishawaka: Does JR end up playing a 5th season at ND and does Micah's younger son play basketball at ND as a walkon or scholarship player? I could potentially see JR wanting to play his last college season with his younger brother and that will not occur at ND.Thomas Noie: Phil: The Magic 8 ball says ... too early to say. J.R. Konieczny has another year after 2024-25 remaining since he sat out his sophom*ore years (2022-23) after playing a whopping 22 minutes as a true freshman. This past season really was Konieczny's first true season since his senior year at South Bend Saint Joseph. He had his moments, but he also realized he has to learn how to play 40 minutes. He'd be good for a half, and then disappear. Nobody plays harder than JRK, but how does he translate those minutes into meaningful minutes? Is this coming season fulfilling enough for him (and the staff) that he wants to return in 2025-26? There's no answer on if Nick Shrewsberry is a legit D-I prospect. He just finished his sophom*ore season, also at Saint Joe. There's been so many comparisons between JRK and his brother, Chase, that I could see the younger Konieczny wanting to go out on his own and make a name for himself. All of it will sort itself out in the coming years...Thomas Noie: That will do it for our Notre Dame hoops chat in May. Thanks to all who stopped by. We may do something again in June and/or July if vacation doesn't get in the way (it will). Have a great rest of the summer!
Follow South Bend Tribune and NDInsider columnist Tom Noie on X (formerly Twitter): @tnoieNDI. Contact: (574) 235-6153.
