ND for sure will have elite skill talent to checks notes beat OSU in Columbus, USC in LA, and Clemson at home before even thinking about the playoffs LFG
Lugg is gonna replace madden I bet. Line of alt Krist Patterson lugg fisher with Rocco pushing for a splot
He could at a minimum back up a couple spots. There are going to be guys we lose to the portal so nothing is guaranteed as far as depth
They were worried about Foskey in camp because he was getting erased by Fisher. Foskey was like second in the country in sacks before the GT game
Anyone staying up to watch the game tonight? Even for the best sports time zone, mountain, this is a late one. Will be the first opportunity for the senior squad to show if they actually figured out how to play defense against a well coached team. Hopefully Brey got Hubb something to clear his head down in Vegas because he has looked like someone who is totally off to start the season. Laz should show up big in a game like this and if Brey doesn’t come out in shorts for an 11:30 EST game in Vegas, there’s no way they’re making the tournament. Preview from the Blue and Gold writer who imo does a nice job on basketball coverage: Spoiler Why Irish’s game vs. like-minded Saint Mary’s is key in Maui Invitational Patrick Engel • BlueAndGold Beat Writer @PatrickEngel_ Despite their longevity in their respective jobs, Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey didn’t meet his West Coast equivalent until two years ago while on a trip to the Bahamas. In 2019, Under Armour took all the men’s basketball head coaches from the Division I schools it sponsors to the islands. At dinner one night, Brey found himself next to Saint Mary’s head coach Randy Bennett, another successful Catholic school coach who built a sustained program with a similar style of play. They started sharing philosophies and talking shop. Before they knew it, three hours passed. “I always have respected him from afar,” Brey said Friday. “We’ve been on that same track. But I never really got to know him on the road. It was interesting to share and talk basketball with him, because we kind of do it the same way. He has found a spot. He has been true to what they do.” Mike Brey and Notre Dame are in the Maui Invitational for the first time since 2017. (Nell Redmond/USA Today Sports) The 62-year-old Brey and 59-year-old Bennett have spent 43 combined seasons in their current jobs – with 902 total wins, 20 NCAA tournament appearances and six conference coach of the year awards. Monday, they’ll oppose each other for the first time in the Maui Invitational (11:30 p.m., ESPN2), which was relocated to Las Vegas due to Hawaii’s COVID-19 travel advisory. Notre Dame (2-0) under Brey and Saint Mary’s (4-0) under Bennett are two programs that know themselves and have established identities. Scan the top 25 of KenPom’s offensive efficiency rankings in any of the last 21 years, and chances are you’ll see both teams show up. The same goes for turnover rate. These are two teams that value the ball, generate quality shots and spread the wealth. They’re often strong three-point shooting outfits. “It’s a real challenge for our defense,” Brey said. “They’re a gifted, smart team.” In many ways, scouting Saint Mary’s is like scouting Notre Dame. Each team plays four out on offense. They have shooters. They have a post presence who’s the leading scorer – Notre Dame with Paul Atkinson Jr. (17.5 points, 8.5 rebounds per game) and Saint Mary’s with Dan Fotu (13.3 points, 5.5 rebounds). They’re veteran teams with 12 combined academic seniors and graduate students. If Brey knows how to beat his own team, he ought to know how to beat Bennett’s. “They throw it in to the big guy and move off the post like we throw it in to Paul,” Brey said. “That’s like playing us. They’re steady, they’re solid with it. I really respect groups like that who just don’t beat themselves. “I think they’re a little further ahead than us right now, just with the experience as we’re plugging in some new faces.” At the same time, though, this is a game Notre Dame needs to win. Full stop. And not just to show it’s better than last year and offer some evidence it’s on an NCAA tournament track. A victory likely sets up a second-round matchup with Oregon, one of just two teams in the Maui field viewed as a consensus tournament contender. (Reigning Final Four participant Houston is the other). The Ducks would present the Irish with a healthy early challenge for the second straight night. Playing them would provide a chance for Notre Dame to write strong opening lines on a tournament résumé. A loss to Saint Mary’s, though, does quite the opposite. Not only does it hand Notre Dame a loss in a winnable game, but it would presumably set up a Tuesday meeting with Division II Chaminade, which does nothing for a résumé. Notre Dame’s chances to maximize its Maui appearance hinge on this Monday night meeting with the Gaels. “You have to get that first one,” Brey said. “Then, you can start to feel like you can move on. It’s no different than an ACC tournament or NCAA tournament feel. If you can somehow survive the first one, it can jump-start you.” Notre Dame players see a chance to make a statement and put last year’s 11-15 record further in the rear-view mirror. Point guard Prentiss Hubb put it in the simplest terms when asked what he’s most looking forward to about the week ahead: Doing something he and his teammates haven’t done frequently enough the last three years. It’s past time. “Shoot, I can’t wait to see us win,” Hubb said. “It’s going to be a big challenge playing three days in a row, regardless of if we win or lose. We’re coming in from not a good season last year. We need to come out of the gate jumping. If we can do that, I think we’ll have some success in this tournament.” Notre Dame (2-0) vs. Saint Mary’s (4-0) When: Monday, Nov. 22, 11:30 p.m. ET Where: Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Las Vegas TV: ESPN2 KenPom prediction: Notre Dame 68, Saint Mary’s 67 Series history: Notre Dame leads 1-0 Last meeting: Notre Dame won 94-63 on Feb. 2, 1981
Prentiss Hubb is so hard to watch. He is the worst type of player — a terrible shooter who thinks he is a good shooter
I will be watching. These are the type of games they need to show they can win with regularity again. Will be interesting to see how they do.
Looks like the same team from the last 2 years The guards can’t feed the post to save their lives so far. Atkinson has had his guy sealed every possession and he’s gotten 1 post touch
His ability to just get into the lane with space is something no one else on this roster can do. He’s been laboring that left thumb which would be a very fitting start to lose him. Happy Brey is giving him some leash and not yanking him after mistakes. Need him to get his feel before conference. They are killing us at the glass.
Nice run to end the half. When we actually attack the rim we can be dangerous. More of that and less of the spot shooting after passing it around the key approach.
Hubb takes some of the most ill advised shots. It’s maddening. He’s a good player but has to make better decisions at the point.
Atkinson can play. He’s going to be a real asset for this team. Has a great post presence and works his ass off. Guards need to feed him more.
This team without him and Wesley would be hot garbage, slow, and boring. Still we are struggling to have anyone go to the basket with a sense of urgency. Goodwin (while appreciated) wasn’t supposed to be the best of that group and that’s the problem with this team.
What a terrible possession there, especially for an experienced team. Looked like no one wanted to take control late which unfortunately has been the identity of this team from the beginning of their time in South Bend.
so did anyone see an angle where they actually stepped OOB after that 3 from SMC cuz from the angles ive seen it looked like a whiffed call
Didn't look like Wertz stepped out there (his heel seemed lifted above the floor) and we got hosed on back-to-back calls right before that too. That being said, this team absolutely doesn't know how to win. Zero winning instinct and takeover ability. How do we leave their only good player open for the winning 3? How does Wertz even get close to stepping on the line? How does Ryan miss a FT there? How does Ryan then look like he doesn't want to take the tying 3, fade into double coverage and airball the game-tying shot? I was thinking with COVID free year of eligibility, let's try to make the tournament this year, and then really make noise with getting another year from Goodwin and Hubb. But I'm not sure about that. Just kinda need to clear the decks of this class.
so the projected score for this saturday is 36-16, that feels like a lot of points for stanford given how theyve looked recently
ND offered Devin Brown. I like the idea of putting their staff in defense having to keep players since they are making a push for committed players. Plus he’s an actual upgrade in the class
I spent time Saturday texting family members that I was excited it was Josh Lugg’s last home game, so the news of him potentially coming back has taken some time to process. His willingness to move to G (where he should have been all season, and no doubt he probably realizes it’s his only shot to latch onto an NFL team) has me somewhat intrigued however. Imagine we’ll see 2-3 deflections along the line via portal. Have to imagine those conversations have happened and that’s playing into their willingness to evaluate another year. LT Fisher LG Rocco C Kristofic RG Lugg RT Alt Thats a big boy line.
So its listening to some of the podcast Patterson might also be back, but yeah, either way the line will be good
If they can bring back Patterson, Foskey, and Austin, then we got a stew going Add in Avery Davis, as well
We need a big return to have a shot at this shit next year: Griffith, Lenzy, Wilkins, Lugg, the Ademiolias, Bauer- get em all back we need the depth
I get what your saying, but if Fisher really is what we think he is you play him there and enjoy the awesomeness
The only TE I’d pause and think about wanting instead of Mayer is Bowers from UGA, so it’s fitting neither are a finalist lol
There is something about this year and some great players at ND not getting recognition, foskey is ranked low enough he might actually come back, Kyren not on the top rb list, Mayer being shafted, feels weird. Usually ND guys are on lists they shouldnt be on
Losing that game to Cincy and looking average to start the season has really hurt our players, from this point of view. The national media didn’t focus on us for about 6 straight weeks. Could work out to our benefit though.
i agree with all of them except Wilkins. Nothing against Wilkins but I don’t trust the offensive staff to not force feed him bc he can block and knows his assignments in and out at the detriment of styles, colzie and the incoming freshmen(man) coming in. If l’enzyme and Austin go then ok.
On the flip side Kyle Hamilton is on a list without playing a few games. Not saying he shouldn’t be from a talent standpoint but from a body of work it’s hard to include someone with a half a season.
Further goes to show these things are more based on hype than actual on-field performance. No offense to Kyle, but I’d leave him off the Bednarik list simply due to lack of resume this year.
CJ Williams taking an official each to UCLA and USC. Would suck to lose him but I’m just not sure what they can tell him that hasn’t already been said before
My first thought was “he just wants to have fun” when I read those two schools. I’d be much more concerned if it was Bama, etc.