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Chat Transcript: Talk Notre Dame basketball with Tom Noie

3:26 pm, September 14, 2011

Tom Noie answered readers' Notre Dame basketball questions in a live chat. Read the transcript.

 Live Chat: Talk Notre Dame basketball with Tom Noeie(09/14/2011) 
11:56
sbtnoie: 
Hard to beleive but we are less than seven weeks away - OK, 48 days to be exact, but who's counting? - from the first Notre Dame men's basketball exhibition game of the 2011-12 season.

The Big East will be here before you know it as Notre Dame looks to get back to the NCAA tournament, and beyond, after last season's 27-7 showing. What's this year's Irish team look like? Who might surprise? Concerns? Questions?

It's never too early to look ahead and wonder, and never too early to have a Notre Dame hoops chat here at the SBT. Just drop me a note with your name, hometown and comment.

Now who wants to talk hoops? Let's go.....
Wednesday September 14, 2011 11:56 sbtnoie
12:19
[Comment From Sam, BostonSam, Boston: ] 
ESPN's Dan Dakich stated last year that after watching a Notre Dame basketball practice, he was extremely impressed with the game of Jerian Grant. What does Jerian bring to the table for this year's Irish team? Do the strengths of his offensive game favor the inside or the outside? And finally, how accurate is Jerian at the free throw line?
Wednesday September 14, 2011 12:19 Sam, Boston
12:28
sbtnoie: 
Sam:

Thanks for the question. It was down at Walt Disney World when Dan Dakich first noticed Jerian Grant. Prior to that memroable Thanksigiving night game against Georgia in the Old Spice Classic, I asked Dakich his thoughts on Notre Dame and the first player he commented on was Grant - what an athlete, he could move, run, jump, shoot. Dakich was impressed.

Too bad he wasn't going to see him play. That's not going to be the case this season. If Notre Dame opened tonight, there's a good chance Grant is in the starting backcourt alongside his good buddy Eric Atkins. Grant's game is simple - athleticism in the open floor, an ability to defend, use his speed and quickness to get to the basket and knock down the occasional open jumper. He can also handle the ball if needed but we haven't seen him do it under any pressure from other guys who may be just as quick.

Grant is more of a slasher that someone who's going to spot up and shoot jumpers. He's at his best when he's on the move, getting out in the open court and finishing strong at the rim. In watching him play this summer, he did have a tendency to stand around instead of moving without the ball. That will come.

How is he at the free throw line? That's something that will be answered during preseason. He's never really had to shoot a free throw under true game situations. It's one thing to connect on them in practice when you know you're not going to play the next game. It's another to do it on the road in a close game when your team needs points. Still, from what I've seen from him, there's no reason to think he can't connect on at least 70-percent plus from the foul line.
Wednesday September 14, 2011 12:28 sbtnoie
12:32
[Comment From Bill, New YorkBill, New York: ] 
With all the reports about players with injuries on the Notre Dame basketball team, many bloggers on the internet are saying that Notre Dame now most likely has two 2012 basketball scholarships to award during this year's fall signing period. I still believe that ND has only one 2012 basketball scholarship to give this fall. Please give your thoughts on this matter.
Wednesday September 14, 2011 12:32 Bill, New York
12:47
sbtnoie: 
Bill:

Great question. At this point, Notre Dame has one schoalrship to offer the current group of high school seniors, where it has commitments from two players - Cameron Biedscheid (St. Louis) and Austin Burgett (Avon, Ind.).

Notre Dame likely will have another scholarship available pending the determination of Eric Katenda's future. Katenda committed to Notre Dame in the spring and was expected to enroll as a freshman this fall. But he suffered a serious eye injury - a detatched optic nerve - this summer that has left him blind in his left eye.

The chances of Katenda ever playing meaningful minutes are slim, but Katenda has insisted that he wants to at least try it. Until a determination is made whether or not he can play, Notre Dame cannot use his scholarship on a current high school senior.

What might be the timetable? Who knows? Mike Brey talked last month about giving Katenda time to adjust to the injury, let it heal and then see about playing basketball.

I don't think you can automatically use Katenda's scholarship to land another prep senior now, then bring back Katenda to see if he can play when he's ready. He's been adamant that he's going to play again. There are doubts, serious ones, but you have to at least give him that chance before moving ahead.

Notre Dame isn't going to count on Katenda this season. Next year? Nobody really knows his future.

There's also a situation with junior power forward Mike Broghammer, who underwent two surgical procedures on each of hs knees last year to help relieve constant tendonitis. Broghammer has been slow to return to the court in the offseason. His biggest test will be the first two weeks of preseason practice. If he can work through any lingering pain in the knees and offer something, there's a chance he can work his way into the rotation.

If the knees cause him more problems and he's off to the side with bags of ice on his legs, his career likely is over. There is nothing more Notre Dame can do for Broghammer in terms of surgery to help him. If the pain persists this fall, it's never going to get any better.

Should Broghammer be deemed medically unable to play, the Irish can use his scholarship to sign another current prep senior or college transfer.

It really is one big wait and see situation.



Wednesday September 14, 2011 12:47 sbtnoie
12:49
[Comment From Melvin, New JerseyMelvin, New Jersey: ] 
Tom, last week during this chat, you said that Alex Dragicevich had improved his handle during the summer's practice games, and he would most likely have an increased role with this year's team. Could you now speculate about Alex's chances to serve as the backup point guard this year?
Wednesday September 14, 2011 12:49 Melvin, New Jersey
12:55
sbtnoie: 
Melvin:

One of the concerns this season is backup point guard - what happens should Eric Atkins go down with foul trouble or injury or ineffectiveness? Granted, Atkins is on track this year to follow in the footsteps of Martin Ingelsby, Chris Thomas, Chris Quinn and Tory Jackson - guys that Mike Brey had as point guards who seldom left the floor. In Quinn's case, he never left the floor and averaged over 40 minutes a game in league play his senior season.

Atkins is going to play major minutes, but who's next? Late last year, it became apparent that Alex Dragicevich was the team's second-best handler. Even at 6-foot-6 then (and maybe close to 6-7 or 6-8 now) Dragicevich knows how to handle the ball. He played point in high school and is big enough to see over smaller defenders and smart enough to know when and where to move it.

He also has the trust of the team's veterans. I mentioned earlier that it wouldn't be a surprise to see Jerian Grant in the starting lineup should the season commence tonight. It also wouldn't be a surprise to see Dragicevich start instead of Grant alongside Atkins. He's been that good in the offseason. He does have limitations (footspeed, experience) but if he can take care of the ball, make the occasional shot and defend, he's gong to play.
Wednesday September 14, 2011 12:55 sbtnoie
1:08
sbtnoie: 
A quick aside to the question about Alex Dragicevich - at one point this summer, Mike Brey met one-on-one with captains Tim Abromaitis and Scott Martin to get their feelings on this year's team, how the offseason was going, etc.

Brey asked each of his fifth-year guys - say we're playing a Big East game tomorrow, who do you feel most comfortable with in the starting lineup?

Abromaitis and Martin both said Alex Dragicevich.

Their views may have changed since then - maybe they would say Joey Brooks or Jerian Grant - but the fact that they each individually selected Dragicevich at one point this summer leads you to believe he's going to have a chance to show what he can do.
Wednesday September 14, 2011 1:08 sbtnoie
1:10
[Comment From Tom, Albany NYTom, Albany NY: ] 
Mike Brey mentioned in the recently published Lindy's college basketball yearbook, that the momentum of Notre Dame's college basketball recruiting is right where it needs to be. With Connaughton, Biedsheid, and Burgett already in the fold, and Jerami Grant, Tyler Cavanaugh, V. J. Beachem, and Demetrius Jackson ready to jump on board, doesn't it look like Mike Brey is finally starting to put together back to back years of elite recruiting? Doesn't the caliber of athlete in all the above mentioned players speak for itself?
Wednesday September 14, 2011 1:10 Tom, Albany NY
1:18
sbtnoie: 
Tom:

Absolutely it does. And this is a perfect time for me to take off on a little recruiting rant, if you will.

Mike Brey and his assistant coaches didn't suddenly wake up one morning after a Big East game and say, man, we need to recruit better athletes. Higher-quality guys. Recruiting has stayed pretty consistent during Brey's tenure. They have been able to recognize what type of kid best fits the campus environment, the program, etc.

What has changed is that more guys are finally giving Notre Dame a longer look. They realize, wow, I've got a chance to get a first-class education, play in the best league in the land and under a coach who's going to give me a heck of a lot of freedom to showcase my skills. Who wouldn't want that?

Stil, Notre Dame is not for everyone, and it's not always the fault of the coaching staff. Take James Robinson, for instance, the DeMatha point guard who committed last month to Pittsburgh.

Mike Brey had recruited James Robinson hard since the kid was a sophomore. Robinson liked Notre Dame, but he liked going to school that's closer to home - where he'll still play big minutes in the Big East - better.

Notre Dame fans don't always want to believe it, but going to school in South Bend - weatherm, facilities, the football program - still is a tough sell for kids who believe they can play anywhere. For this staff to get the caliber of athlete needed to survive in the Big East - and then have success - is pretty impressive.

OK, rant over. Thanks. And now, back to the chat.

Wednesday September 14, 2011 1:18 sbtnoie
1:19
[Comment From Andy-Glendale Heights, ILAndy-Glendale Heights, IL: ] 
Hey Tom, missed last week. I was wondering what your thoughts were on whether this team would be more balanced in terms of inside and outside scoring. Obviously, outside shooting is always important in coach Brey's system, and he always has good shooter, but consistent inside scoring will help open up the shooters. Also, so you think that Grant can be the slasher type player that can get to the basket and create his own shot. This would also help open up the shooters I think.
Wednesday September 14, 2011 1:19 Andy-Glendale Heights, IL
1:29
sbtnoie: 
Andy:

I was wondering where you had been. Good you found your way back. We'll be here every Wednesday right through the season and, hopefully, deep into March, Tell your friends. Call your neighbors. Sorry, it's been a little slow today. I digress.

Notre Dame was able to lean on Ty Nash for a nice inside-outside game last year. The Irish finished second in the league in scoring, but third in 3-point field goals atttempted. It wasn't always a live-by-the-3, die by it mentality and won't be this year.

Abromaitis and Martin will continue to be guys who can get shots from various spots. Martin could stick his nose in there a little more and Jack Cooley will have a chance to show what he could do more around the bucket. His game doesn't always look fluid, but he makes shots.

What is interesting about the Atkins-Grant pairing in the backcourt is theri ability to get to the basket. You'll see more of that from Atkins as he settles into his leadership role. He just didn't to do it as much as a freshman. Grant is at his best challenging the defense. There were times this summer when he hovered too much on the perimeter. He's not a knock-down shooter like a Ben Hansbrough just yet, so when the shot's not falling, it's time to get aggressive.

It's going to be an interesting group to watch, especially how they figure out what they can do offensively. Some nights, it will be to get out in transition. Others, they have to use their basketball IQ.

Brey's teams have always been able to score. This one should too with two fifth-year seniors, a sophomore point guard on the verge of being something special and a group of guys who want to prove that last year was no fluke.
Wednesday September 14, 2011 1:29 sbtnoie
1:30
[Comment From Tom, Albany NYTom, Albany NY: ] 
Tom, a follow up question. In that same Lindy's basketball yearbook, it mentioned that Tom Knight had broken his ankle during the off season. I did not realize that the injury was that severe. Could you mention how the ankle injury occurred, the extent of the injury, and is Tom Knight still favoring that ankle during summer scrimmages? Although he gets little to no ink, I believe that a healthy Tom Knight in the rotation is one of the keys for Notre Dame to have a successful upcoming season.
Wednesday September 14, 2011 1:30 Tom, Albany NY
1:39
sbtnoie: 
Tom:

I've been a big Tom Knight guy since last year, telling those who thought I was full of it (no comment) that Knight has a chance if he could get a chance.

As for no ink, that's been a running joke between me and Tom Knight - he (jokingly) grants one interview per season. I did a story last March on the relationship between him and his dad (who at the time was serving in Iraq). After that, Knight joked, he was done talking to the media.

Seriously, though, Knight would be the first to admit he hasn't done much to deseve any extra ink.

Nobody faced a more important offseason than Knight. But he was playing pickup one day last spring and rolled his ankle so severly that surgery was required. The ankle was in such bad shape that doctors needed to use wire to help it heal. Knight was thought to be restricted from any basketball activities until Aug. 1 at the earliest, but he was back playing pickup, and moving pretty well, in late July.

Knight's still bothered by the occasional soreness but he could be a key guy this year in backing up Jack Cooley. With the status of Mike Broghammer in question and Garrick Sherman waiting in the wings, Tom Knight knows this is the year for him to get really serious about basketball. He's always been an easy-going guy, but he's got to want it on the court this year. If not now, when? Ever?

His game is pretty fluid and seemingly comes pretty easily, but consistency has been a struggle - one step forward, two steps back. If he can go two steps forward and one step back this season, you might hear more from No. 25.
Wednesday September 14, 2011 1:39 sbtnoie
1:45
[Comment From JTJT: ] 
What is the latest on Jackson from Marian? How good do you really think he is? I heard Xavier is in the lead and Michigan is out.
Wednesday September 14, 2011 1:45 JT
1:52
sbtnoie: 
JT:

I've heard various reports as far as the potential of point guard Demetrius Jackson, who's a junior at Marian High School in Mishawaka. Some have said he can play in the Big East; others have said maybe he's better off in the A-10.

I don't know. I've never seen him play a true game other than a handful of pickup games on campus during the summer.

If Jackson believes he can start and play major minutes as a freshman, he's probably not going to wind up at Notre Dame, where Eric Atkins still will have two years of eligibility. If Jackson chooses to go elsewhere, it won't be because Notre Dame didn't put the effort in.

Irish assistant coach Anthony Solomon was the first college coach to scout Jackson when the kid was a freshman. It was eivdent to Jackson early in the process where Notre Dame stood.

He's traveled a rocky road and could be one of those kids who feels it's time for a fresh start somewhere other than in South Bend for four more years.
Wednesday September 14, 2011 1:52 sbtnoie
2:02
[Comment From Frank, Long Island NYFrank, Long Island NY: ] 
Could the potential signing of Jerami Grant to a ND scholarship finally open up the Washington DC to South Bend basketball pipeline which made the Irish hoops program thrive during the 1960's and 1970's? Also doesn't the potential frontcourt pairing of Cameron Biedsheid and Jerami Grant make Irish eyes smile?
Wednesday September 14, 2011 2:02 Frank, Long Island NY
2:07
sbtnoie: 
Frank:

Thanks for the note. The DeMatha pipeline was opened when Notre Dame signed Jerian Grant two years ago. Getting Jerami would keep it flowing. It's been far too long since Notre Dame landed a D.C. guy - but again, it's about getting the right kind of guy instead of signing someone just to sign them.

Cameron Biedscheid's going to be good. Really good. It will be interesting to see how the frontcourt shapes up in the coming years - don't forget about Patrick Connaughton and Garrick Sherman and Austin Burgett as well.

There are plenty of options without Jerami Grant. With him, it becomes really interesting.
Wednesday September 14, 2011 2:07 sbtnoie
2:54
sbtnoie: 
Thanks for everyone in taking time out to join our chat this week. We'll be here again next week, same time, same place. Mark it down and join in the fun. You won't be disappointed.

For those who cannot wait with a question or comment, you can drop me a note at tnoie@sbtinfo.com" target="_blank" >tnoie@sbtinfo.com. Thanks. Take care.

Tom
Wednesday September 14, 2011 2:54 sbtnoie
2:54
 

 
 
 



Tom Noie answered readers' Notre Dame basketball questions in a live chat. Read the transcript.


Tom Noie answered readers' Notre Dame basketball questions in a live chat. Read the transcript.

 Live Chat: Talk Notre Dame basketball with Tom Noeie(09/14/2011) 
11:56
sbtnoie: 
Hard to beleive but we are less than seven weeks away - OK, 48 days to be exact, but who's counting? - from the first Notre Dame men's basketball exhibition game of the 2011-12 season.

The Big East will be here before you know it as Notre Dame looks to get back to the NCAA tournament, and beyond, after last season's 27-7 showing. What's this year's Irish team look like? Who might surprise? Concerns? Questions?

It's never too early to look ahead and wonder, and never too early to have a Notre Dame hoops chat here at the SBT. Just drop me a note with your name, hometown and comment.

Now who wants to talk hoops? Let's go.....
Wednesday September 14, 2011 11:56 sbtnoie
12:19
[Comment From Sam, BostonSam, Boston: ] 
ESPN's Dan Dakich stated last year that after watching a Notre Dame basketball practice, he was extremely impressed with the game of Jerian Grant. What does Jerian bring to the table for this year's Irish team? Do the strengths of his offensive game favor the inside or the outside? And finally, how accurate is Jerian at the free throw line?
Wednesday September 14, 2011 12:19 Sam, Boston
12:28
sbtnoie: 
Sam:

Thanks for the question. It was down at Walt Disney World when Dan Dakich first noticed Jerian Grant. Prior to that memroable Thanksigiving night game against Georgia in the Old Spice Classic, I asked Dakich his thoughts on Notre Dame and the first player he commented on was Grant - what an athlete, he could move, run, jump, shoot. Dakich was impressed.

Too bad he wasn't going to see him play. That's not going to be the case this season. If Notre Dame opened tonight, there's a good chance Grant is in the starting backcourt alongside his good buddy Eric Atkins. Grant's game is simple - athleticism in the open floor, an ability to defend, use his speed and quickness to get to the basket and knock down the occasional open jumper. He can also handle the ball if needed but we haven't seen him do it under any pressure from other guys who may be just as quick.

Grant is more of a slasher that someone who's going to spot up and shoot jumpers. He's at his best when he's on the move, getting out in the open court and finishing strong at the rim. In watching him play this summer, he did have a tendency to stand around instead of moving without the ball. That will come.

How is he at the free throw line? That's something that will be answered during preseason. He's never really had to shoot a free throw under true game situations. It's one thing to connect on them in practice when you know you're not going to play the next game. It's another to do it on the road in a close game when your team needs points. Still, from what I've seen from him, there's no reason to think he can't connect on at least 70-percent plus from the foul line.
Wednesday September 14, 2011 12:28 sbtnoie
12:32
[Comment From Bill, New YorkBill, New York: ] 
With all the reports about players with injuries on the Notre Dame basketball team, many bloggers on the internet are saying that Notre Dame now most likely has two 2012 basketball scholarships to award during this year's fall signing period. I still believe that ND has only one 2012 basketball scholarship to give this fall. Please give your thoughts on this matter.
Wednesday September 14, 2011 12:32 Bill, New York
12:47
sbtnoie: 
Bill:

Great question. At this point, Notre Dame has one schoalrship to offer the current group of high school seniors, where it has commitments from two players - Cameron Biedscheid (St. Louis) and Austin Burgett (Avon, Ind.).

Notre Dame likely will have another scholarship available pending the determination of Eric Katenda's future. Katenda committed to Notre Dame in the spring and was expected to enroll as a freshman this fall. But he suffered a serious eye injury - a detatched optic nerve - this summer that has left him blind in his left eye.

The chances of Katenda ever playing meaningful minutes are slim, but Katenda has insisted that he wants to at least try it. Until a determination is made whether or not he can play, Notre Dame cannot use his scholarship on a current high school senior.

What might be the timetable? Who knows? Mike Brey talked last month about giving Katenda time to adjust to the injury, let it heal and then see about playing basketball.

I don't think you can automatically use Katenda's scholarship to land another prep senior now, then bring back Katenda to see if he can play when he's ready. He's been adamant that he's going to play again. There are doubts, serious ones, but you have to at least give him that chance before moving ahead.

Notre Dame isn't going to count on Katenda this season. Next year? Nobody really knows his future.

There's also a situation with junior power forward Mike Broghammer, who underwent two surgical procedures on each of hs knees last year to help relieve constant tendonitis. Broghammer has been slow to return to the court in the offseason. His biggest test will be the first two weeks of preseason practice. If he can work through any lingering pain in the knees and offer something, there's a chance he can work his way into the rotation.

If the knees cause him more problems and he's off to the side with bags of ice on his legs, his career likely is over. There is nothing more Notre Dame can do for Broghammer in terms of surgery to help him. If the pain persists this fall, it's never going to get any better.

Should Broghammer be deemed medically unable to play, the Irish can use his scholarship to sign another current prep senior or college transfer.

It really is one big wait and see situation.



Wednesday September 14, 2011 12:47 sbtnoie
12:49
[Comment From Melvin, New JerseyMelvin, New Jersey: ] 
Tom, last week during this chat, you said that Alex Dragicevich had improved his handle during the summer's practice games, and he would most likely have an increased role with this year's team. Could you now speculate about Alex's chances to serve as the backup point guard this year?
Wednesday September 14, 2011 12:49 Melvin, New Jersey
12:55
sbtnoie: 
Melvin:

One of the concerns this season is backup point guard - what happens should Eric Atkins go down with foul trouble or injury or ineffectiveness? Granted, Atkins is on track this year to follow in the footsteps of Martin Ingelsby, Chris Thomas, Chris Quinn and Tory Jackson - guys that Mike Brey had as point guards who seldom left the floor. In Quinn's case, he never left the floor and averaged over 40 minutes a game in league play his senior season.

Atkins is going to play major minutes, but who's next? Late last year, it became apparent that Alex Dragicevich was the team's second-best handler. Even at 6-foot-6 then (and maybe close to 6-7 or 6-8 now) Dragicevich knows how to handle the ball. He played point in high school and is big enough to see over smaller defenders and smart enough to know when and where to move it.

He also has the trust of the team's veterans. I mentioned earlier that it wouldn't be a surprise to see Jerian Grant in the starting lineup should the season commence tonight. It also wouldn't be a surprise to see Dragicevich start instead of Grant alongside Atkins. He's been that good in the offseason. He does have limitations (footspeed, experience) but if he can take care of the ball, make the occasional shot and defend, he's gong to play.
Wednesday September 14, 2011 12:55 sbtnoie
1:08
sbtnoie: 
A quick aside to the question about Alex Dragicevich - at one point this summer, Mike Brey met one-on-one with captains Tim Abromaitis and Scott Martin to get their feelings on this year's team, how the offseason was going, etc.

Brey asked each of his fifth-year guys - say we're playing a Big East game tomorrow, who do you feel most comfortable with in the starting lineup?

Abromaitis and Martin both said Alex Dragicevich.

Their views may have changed since then - maybe they would say Joey Brooks or Jerian Grant - but the fact that they each individually selected Dragicevich at one point this summer leads you to believe he's going to have a chance to show what he can do.
Wednesday September 14, 2011 1:08 sbtnoie
1:10
[Comment From Tom, Albany NYTom, Albany NY: ] 
Mike Brey mentioned in the recently published Lindy's college basketball yearbook, that the momentum of Notre Dame's college basketball recruiting is right where it needs to be. With Connaughton, Biedsheid, and Burgett already in the fold, and Jerami Grant, Tyler Cavanaugh, V. J. Beachem, and Demetrius Jackson ready to jump on board, doesn't it look like Mike Brey is finally starting to put together back to back years of elite recruiting? Doesn't the caliber of athlete in all the above mentioned players speak for itself?
Wednesday September 14, 2011 1:10 Tom, Albany NY
1:18
sbtnoie: 
Tom:

Absolutely it does. And this is a perfect time for me to take off on a little recruiting rant, if you will.

Mike Brey and his assistant coaches didn't suddenly wake up one morning after a Big East game and say, man, we need to recruit better athletes. Higher-quality guys. Recruiting has stayed pretty consistent during Brey's tenure. They have been able to recognize what type of kid best fits the campus environment, the program, etc.

What has changed is that more guys are finally giving Notre Dame a longer look. They realize, wow, I've got a chance to get a first-class education, play in the best league in the land and under a coach who's going to give me a heck of a lot of freedom to showcase my skills. Who wouldn't want that?

Stil, Notre Dame is not for everyone, and it's not always the fault of the coaching staff. Take James Robinson, for instance, the DeMatha point guard who committed last month to Pittsburgh.

Mike Brey had recruited James Robinson hard since the kid was a sophomore. Robinson liked Notre Dame, but he liked going to school that's closer to home - where he'll still play big minutes in the Big East - better.

Notre Dame fans don't always want to believe it, but going to school in South Bend - weatherm, facilities, the football program - still is a tough sell for kids who believe they can play anywhere. For this staff to get the caliber of athlete needed to survive in the Big East - and then have success - is pretty impressive.

OK, rant over. Thanks. And now, back to the chat.

Wednesday September 14, 2011 1:18 sbtnoie
1:19
[Comment From Andy-Glendale Heights, ILAndy-Glendale Heights, IL: ] 
Hey Tom, missed last week. I was wondering what your thoughts were on whether this team would be more balanced in terms of inside and outside scoring. Obviously, outside shooting is always important in coach Brey's system, and he always has good shooter, but consistent inside scoring will help open up the shooters. Also, so you think that Grant can be the slasher type player that can get to the basket and create his own shot. This would also help open up the shooters I think.
Wednesday September 14, 2011 1:19 Andy-Glendale Heights, IL
1:29
sbtnoie: 
Andy:

I was wondering where you had been. Good you found your way back. We'll be here every Wednesday right through the season and, hopefully, deep into March, Tell your friends. Call your neighbors. Sorry, it's been a little slow today. I digress.

Notre Dame was able to lean on Ty Nash for a nice inside-outside game last year. The Irish finished second in the league in scoring, but third in 3-point field goals atttempted. It wasn't always a live-by-the-3, die by it mentality and won't be this year.

Abromaitis and Martin will continue to be guys who can get shots from various spots. Martin could stick his nose in there a little more and Jack Cooley will have a chance to show what he could do more around the bucket. His game doesn't always look fluid, but he makes shots.

What is interesting about the Atkins-Grant pairing in the backcourt is theri ability to get to the basket. You'll see more of that from Atkins as he settles into his leadership role. He just didn't to do it as much as a freshman. Grant is at his best challenging the defense. There were times this summer when he hovered too much on the perimeter. He's not a knock-down shooter like a Ben Hansbrough just yet, so when the shot's not falling, it's time to get aggressive.

It's going to be an interesting group to watch, especially how they figure out what they can do offensively. Some nights, it will be to get out in transition. Others, they have to use their basketball IQ.

Brey's teams have always been able to score. This one should too with two fifth-year seniors, a sophomore point guard on the verge of being something special and a group of guys who want to prove that last year was no fluke.
Wednesday September 14, 2011 1:29 sbtnoie
1:30
[Comment From Tom, Albany NYTom, Albany NY: ] 
Tom, a follow up question. In that same Lindy's basketball yearbook, it mentioned that Tom Knight had broken his ankle during the off season. I did not realize that the injury was that severe. Could you mention how the ankle injury occurred, the extent of the injury, and is Tom Knight still favoring that ankle during summer scrimmages? Although he gets little to no ink, I believe that a healthy Tom Knight in the rotation is one of the keys for Notre Dame to have a successful upcoming season.
Wednesday September 14, 2011 1:30 Tom, Albany NY
1:39
sbtnoie: 
Tom:

I've been a big Tom Knight guy since last year, telling those who thought I was full of it (no comment) that Knight has a chance if he could get a chance.

As for no ink, that's been a running joke between me and Tom Knight - he (jokingly) grants one interview per season. I did a story last March on the relationship between him and his dad (who at the time was serving in Iraq). After that, Knight joked, he was done talking to the media.

Seriously, though, Knight would be the first to admit he hasn't done much to deseve any extra ink.

Nobody faced a more important offseason than Knight. But he was playing pickup one day last spring and rolled his ankle so severly that surgery was required. The ankle was in such bad shape that doctors needed to use wire to help it heal. Knight was thought to be restricted from any basketball activities until Aug. 1 at the earliest, but he was back playing pickup, and moving pretty well, in late July.

Knight's still bothered by the occasional soreness but he could be a key guy this year in backing up Jack Cooley. With the status of Mike Broghammer in question and Garrick Sherman waiting in the wings, Tom Knight knows this is the year for him to get really serious about basketball. He's always been an easy-going guy, but he's got to want it on the court this year. If not now, when? Ever?

His game is pretty fluid and seemingly comes pretty easily, but consistency has been a struggle - one step forward, two steps back. If he can go two steps forward and one step back this season, you might hear more from No. 25.
Wednesday September 14, 2011 1:39 sbtnoie
1:45
[Comment From JTJT: ] 
What is the latest on Jackson from Marian? How good do you really think he is? I heard Xavier is in the lead and Michigan is out.
Wednesday September 14, 2011 1:45 JT
1:52
sbtnoie: 
JT:

I've heard various reports as far as the potential of point guard Demetrius Jackson, who's a junior at Marian High School in Mishawaka. Some have said he can play in the Big East; others have said maybe he's better off in the A-10.

I don't know. I've never seen him play a true game other than a handful of pickup games on campus during the summer.

If Jackson believes he can start and play major minutes as a freshman, he's probably not going to wind up at Notre Dame, where Eric Atkins still will have two years of eligibility. If Jackson chooses to go elsewhere, it won't be because Notre Dame didn't put the effort in.

Irish assistant coach Anthony Solomon was the first college coach to scout Jackson when the kid was a freshman. It was eivdent to Jackson early in the process where Notre Dame stood.

He's traveled a rocky road and could be one of those kids who feels it's time for a fresh start somewhere other than in South Bend for four more years.
Wednesday September 14, 2011 1:52 sbtnoie
2:02
[Comment From Frank, Long Island NYFrank, Long Island NY: ] 
Could the potential signing of Jerami Grant to a ND scholarship finally open up the Washington DC to South Bend basketball pipeline which made the Irish hoops program thrive during the 1960's and 1970's? Also doesn't the potential frontcourt pairing of Cameron Biedsheid and Jerami Grant make Irish eyes smile?
Wednesday September 14, 2011 2:02 Frank, Long Island NY
2:07
sbtnoie: 
Frank:

Thanks for the note. The DeMatha pipeline was opened when Notre Dame signed Jerian Grant two years ago. Getting Jerami would keep it flowing. It's been far too long since Notre Dame landed a D.C. guy - but again, it's about getting the right kind of guy instead of signing someone just to sign them.

Cameron Biedscheid's going to be good. Really good. It will be interesting to see how the frontcourt shapes up in the coming years - don't forget about Patrick Connaughton and Garrick Sherman and Austin Burgett as well.

There are plenty of options without Jerami Grant. With him, it becomes really interesting.
Wednesday September 14, 2011 2:07 sbtnoie
2:54
sbtnoie: 
Thanks for everyone in taking time out to join our chat this week. We'll be here again next week, same time, same place. Mark it down and join in the fun. You won't be disappointed.

For those who cannot wait with a question or comment, you can drop me a note at tnoie@sbtinfo.com" target="_blank" >tnoie@sbtinfo.com. Thanks. Take care.

Tom
Wednesday September 14, 2011 2:54 sbtnoie
2:54
 

 
 
 





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