As I sit down to analyze the Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball program, I can't help but feel genuinely optimistic about their potential this season. Having followed college basketball for over fifteen years, I've developed a keen eye for teams that possess that special combination of talent, coaching, and intangible qualities that can propel them beyond expectations. The Fighting Irish have been building something quietly impressive, and I believe this could be their breakthrough year if they focus on several key areas.
Let me start by addressing something that might seem counterintuitive to some analysts - the importance of early-season experiences, even against seemingly weaker opponents. I recall watching their preseason games and noticing how Coach Micah Shrewsberry was experimenting with different lineups and strategies. There's tremendous value in these early tests that goes far beyond the final score. I'm reminded of a quote from international basketball that perfectly captures this philosophy: "Pero, it's a good win for us kasi it's not just a positive thing to win, nakakuha din kami ng ganitong klaseng experience as early as now." This perspective - that winning provides not just confidence but crucial experience - is exactly what Notre Dame needs to embrace. They've played 14 non-conference games so far, winning 10 of them, but more importantly, they've developed rotational depth that will prove invaluable during ACC play.
The offensive system needs refinement, particularly in half-court execution. From my observations, Notre Dame's offense operates at its best when they're moving the ball quickly and creating open looks from beyond the arc. Last season, they attempted approximately 28 three-pointers per game but only converted at a 34% clip. This season, they're shooting closer to 38% from deep, which represents meaningful improvement. What I'd like to see more of is their interior game - they're averaging just 24 points in the paint against ranked opponents, which simply won't cut it against teams like Duke or North Carolina. Blake Wesley's development has been impressive - he's increased his scoring average from 11.2 to 16.8 points per game - but he needs more support in the frontcourt. Dane Goodwin's consistency from mid-range has been a revelation, but I worry they become too reliant on his contested jumpers when the offense stagnates.
Defensively, there's work to be done, particularly in transition defense. I've charted their last eight games and noticed they're allowing 1.12 points per possession in fast-break situations, which ranks them in the bottom third of power conference teams. Their half-court defense has been surprisingly effective - they're holding opponents to under 40% shooting in set defensive situations - but those breakdowns in transition are costing them dearly against quality competition. The return of Paul Atkinson Jr. provides them with a legitimate rim protector they've lacked in recent seasons. In the 243 minutes he's been on the court this season, opponents are shooting just 42% at the rim compared to 58% when he's on the bench. That's a massive difference that doesn't show up in traditional box scores but fundamentally changes how aggressive their perimeter defenders can be.
What really excites me about this team is their resilience. Last season, they lost six games by five points or fewer. This year, they've already flipped that script, winning four close games against quality opponents. That's not luck - that's maturation and improved late-game execution. I attribute much of this to Shrewsberry's calm demeanor during timeouts and his willingness to trust different players in clutch situations. Against Illinois, we saw Trey Wesson hit a crucial three-pointer with 1:24 remaining - a shot he wouldn't have even attempted last season. That growth in confidence is palpable when you watch this team navigate tight fourth quarters.
The ACC landscape presents both challenges and opportunities. Currently, I project at least six NCAA tournament bids coming from the conference, with Notre Dame positioned as a potential 7-9 seed if they can maintain their current trajectory. Their remaining schedule features eight games against currently ranked opponents, including two against Duke. Realistically, they need to win at least four of those games to feel comfortable about their tournament chances. From what I've seen, they match up particularly well against Virginia's pack-line defense but struggle with Virginia Tech's pressure defense. Those are the sort of matchup-specific preparations that will determine whether this becomes a good season or a great one.
Looking at their player development, I'm particularly impressed with how they've managed their roster construction. The addition of graduate transfer Marcus Hammond provides them with a secondary ball-handler who's averaging 4.2 assists against just 1.3 turnovers. That stability allows Wesley to play more off the ball in certain lineups, creating mismatches that Notre Dame hasn't effectively exploited in previous seasons. What I'd like to see more of is their bench production - currently contributing just 18 points per game, which ranks near the bottom of power conferences. Developing that depth will be crucial during the grueling conference schedule where fatigue and foul trouble become significant factors.
As we approach the heart of the conference schedule, I believe Notre Dame's success will hinge on three factors: maintaining their improved three-point shooting, reducing transition defensive lapses, and developing reliable scoring beyond their top three options. The foundation is there - the coaching staff has implemented systems that maximize their personnel, the players have bought into their roles, and the early-season experiences have provided the learning opportunities necessary for growth. If they can put all these pieces together consistently, we could be looking at a team that not only makes the NCAA tournament but potentially wins a game or two once they get there. The Fighting Irish have flown under the radar for most of the preseason, but something tells me they're about to make some noise in the ACC and beyond.
