Chat Transcript: Talk Notre Dame basketball with Tom Noie

1:36 pm, March 28, 2012

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

Live Chat: Talk Notre Dame basketball with Tom Noie

(03/28/2012)

11:52

sbtnoie:

Never a dull moment - or seemingly an offseason - around the Notre Dame men's basketball program.

We're less than two weeks removed from the second-round loss to Xavier in the NCAA tournament and one player (Alex Dragicevich) has decided to seek more playing time elsewhere. Another (Mike Broghammer) has seen his collegiate career come to an end because of injury.

Two others (Tim Abromaitis and Scott Martin) are still awaiting word from the NCAA on possible sixth seasons.

One of Notre Dame's prime junior recruits (Marin guard Demetrius Jackson) seems open to hearing from a whole lot more schools in addition to Notre Dame and Michigan State.

And there is the little bit of business regarding a contract extension for Mike Brey, something that likely will be finalized before the end of the month and will keep the coach in South Bend for many more years.

What do you have to say about the recent Irish hoops news? Just offer a question or comment and be sure to include your name and hometown. And no novel-like editorials on the state of Irish hoops. Many thanks.

Wednesday March 28, 2012 11:52 sbtnoie

12:00

[Comment From Sean, Washington, ILSean, Washington, IL: ]

Who are the big recruits this year?

Wednesday March 28, 2012 12:00 Sean, Washington, IL

12:02

sbtnoie:

Sean:

Notre Dame has signed three high school seniors who will enroll in summer school beginning in June - Zach Auguste (Marlborough, Mass.), Cameron Biedscheid (St. Louis) and Austin Burgettt (Avon, Ind.).

Auguste and Biedscheid are ranked among the nation's Top 100 prospects. Burgett is more of a Tim Abromaitis type of kid. Biedscheid is the class of the class. He is the Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year who averaged 32 points and 10 rebounds a game his senior season.

Biedscheid has the best chance to earn big minutes right away.

Wednesday March 28, 2012 12:02 sbtnoie

12:02

[Comment From Jon - South BendJon - South Bend: ]

Could you elaborate on your comment about Demetrius Jackson?

Wednesday March 28, 2012 12:02 Jon - South Bend

12:03

sbtnoie:

Jon:

Demetrius Jackson played in a Michiana-area high school boys basketball all-star game on Monday, and was clearly the best player on the floor. I talked with Jackson afterward about his recruiting. He said that he hopes to "hear from other schools" during the spring and summer.

Draw your own conclusion, but if the likes of Kansas or Duke or North Carolina or Kentucky come calling, he would listen.

Everyone has long assumed it's between Michigan State and Notre Dame. I'm not so sure, and, honestly, I don't think Jackson is either.

Wednesday March 28, 2012 12:03 sbtnoie

12:04

[Comment From Dan, ChicagoDan, Chicago: ]

Is there any optimism regarding Abro's chances at a 6th year given the fact that Trevor Mbakwe was granted a sixth year by the NCAA despite the fact that one of his missed seasons was actually the result of a suspension?

Wednesday March 28, 2012 12:04 Dan, Chicago

12:08

sbtnoie:

Dan:

There's always the chance that the NCAA would rule in favor of Abromaitis, maybe do so with the explanation that Tim Abromaitis is everything that's right about college basketball. He owns two degrees from Notre Dame. He's the three-time Big East scholar-athlete winner. Maybe reward him for his hard work.

But it's the NCAA, so you never know. It would be hard to swallow Abromaitis being declined a sixth year when you have a player in Trevor Mbakwe getting a sixth season after he missed one year with a knee injury and another because of some poor off-court choices.

Perhaps the longer the NCAA takes to rule one way or another on Abromaitis the better his chances are in returning. Everyone seems to think, as do I, that it's a long shot for Abromaitis to get a sixth year, but if that's the case, then the ruling should be quick and relatively painless.

Notre Dame hopes to hear something about Scott Martin by the end of this week, and then expects to wait longer on Abromaitis.

Stay tuned.

Wednesday March 28, 2012 12:08 sbtnoie

12:08

[Comment From haroldharold: ]

any chance the irish will change leagues when west va etc leave the big east?

Wednesday March 28, 2012 12:08 harold

12:10

sbtnoie:

Harold:

Never say never when it comes to conference realignment. West VIrginia is headed to the Big 12 this summer. Pittsburgh and Syracuse likely have only one more year in the Big East. Who knows when or if all the realignment will end.

This much is known - Notre Dame leaving the Big East means Notre Dame football would have to join a conference - Big Ten or ACC - and Notre Dame football is nowhere near ready to join a conference.

So it's time to make the best of the Big East, which soon will include Memphis and SMU and Central Florida and Temple.....Ugh.

Wednesday March 28, 2012 12:10 sbtnoie

12:12

[Comment From wadelitewadelite: ]

Tom- Dan beat me to the punch on Mbakwe. It is ironiic that 2 situatiions to ND parallel Minnesota. Adam Boone played 4 seasons at UNC and MN and in between he had a transfer and a rs injury year. THe NCAA is so screwed up in that they will probably allow more favor to Mbakwe because one of his missed seasons was not voluntary. Yup Abro needed to miss a season with a bogus injury or criminal charges of violating a restraining order. Nope why do a solid to one of the top student athletes of recent times. I can see them denying Martin and Abro, all the while granting Mbakwe and doing a 180 on U Con's sanctions next season.

Wednesday March 28, 2012 12:12 wadelite

12:14

sbtnoie:

Wade:

Sadly, it seems Tim Abromaitis may be too good of a guy for his own good. Had he been forced to miss his sophomore year for some campus transgression, his odds of returning might be better. But there is no specific reason for him to have missed his second season, which puts his return in the long shot arena.

Wednesday March 28, 2012 12:14 sbtnoie

12:17

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

The one other 2013 recruit besides Demetrius Jackson who ND appears to have offered/have interest in is Kyle Washington, PF from Minnesota. Is ND in play at all for him and have you heard anything?

Wednesday March 28, 2012 12:17 Guest

12:21

sbtnoie:

Guest:

Haven't heard anything about Kyle Washington or any other guys Notre Dame might be looking at in the junior class. That may change now that Broghammer has retired because of bad knees and Dragicevich will transfer.

If Abromaitis doesn't return, that would give Notre Dame more roster flexibility to maybe add a transfer (combo guard??).

It may reach a point where Notre Dame helps make the decision for Demetrius Jackson - the Irish have been clear with what Jackson means to them. If he decides to continue to wait, Notre Dame may use one of the scholarships for a guard or a forward or a combo guy to where if Jackson commits to Notre Dame, great. But if he doesn't, the Irish aren't left wondering what to do next.

Wednesday March 28, 2012 12:21 sbtnoie

12:21

[Comment From haroldharold: ]

would you agree that part of nd tournament problems stem from fatigue...because brey doesnt play a lot of people during the season these guys are worn out from all the minutes. the last few games this year they looked flat and tired....

Wednesday March 28, 2012 12:21 harold

12:25

sbtnoie:

Harold:

Too easy an excuse, just as it's too easy to say that Mike Brey stinks as a post-season coach.

Look, these are 18-, 19-, 20-year-old kids who would hoop all day if given the chance. Irish players are no more tired than Xavier players or Duke players or Lehigh players or anyone.

At the end of a long year, everyone's tired. But you have to fight through it and keep playing if you want to keep playing.

If anything, the main guys for Notre Dame didn't play tired in the closing minutes against Xavier. They played young. The trick now will be can Brey get those guys who played young to play as old and as savvy and as experienced as the Xavier guys did when the game was there for the taking?

Wednesday March 28, 2012 12:25 sbtnoie

12:25

[Comment From wadelitewadelite: ]

well the weekly demetrious jackson comment- sure looks like that ship is sailing away. Give you credit, you called it before, but it looks like he wants to go to a big time program where he can start right away and not wait behind an incumbent. I see IL has 2 senior starting guards next season, though one could declare in error. I am sure he is curious who the new coach will be there. I am not sold on MSU being the choice, because there will be more of a numbers game than at ND. Have to wonder if the Jerian to the point for a 5th year option had him concerned, because he could be on the bench for 2 seasons. I have read he is a terrific athlete, but I am not even sure he is really a PG. It seems obvious Brey needs to look at other 2013 options. There is a big time PG in Flint who I believe is a good student. He plays in the same class that Tory Jackson did and for some reason Izzo has not been interested. Monte Morris was the class c player of the year. Obviously if there is a ss open after the 6 year decisions, brey could look at a transfer pg- but that would point to a PG transfer with 3 years left. A soph transfer would be in a similar situation as Jackson, though it is far from a given that Jerian stays a fifth and does the Ben Hans swittch in his last season. The post about Kyle Washington is old news, I have read little recent about his interest. Brey seems to be more interested in DeLasalle team mantes Foster and Schilling and it seem nows he has room for both big men.

Wednesday March 28, 2012 12:25 wadelite

12:27

sbtnoie:

Wade:

Man, take a breath. We're in borderline novel territory there.

People can speculate all they want about Demetrius Jackson and what he wants, what he doesn't want, but it may just come down to this - Demetrius wants to be wanted, doesn't want to disappoint anybody and, at the end of every day, maybe isn't sure about what it is HE wants from a college.

Schools have worked him pretty hard. That can be pretty confusing for kids who aren't ready to handle the white-hot spotlight that comes with big-time recruiting.

Wednesday March 28, 2012 12:27 sbtnoie

12:28

[Comment From wadelitewadelite: ]

I know you will disagree with Harold's comments and note match ups and the truly limited talent on the team. If you contain cooley and the treys are not falling then nd is so very beatable. Consistent trey shooting is why nd could really use abro next season- but they need other ways to score- full court pressure, players who can get their own shot, 4 men who do not need 3 shot fakes to make a 3 footer. Barring some unepected attrition next season, the excuses for Brey should be gone- as this could be one of his most talented and versatile rosters in the last 8 seasons regardless if martin or abro return.

Wednesday March 28, 2012 12:28 wadelite

12:30

sbtnoie:

Wade:

All true, but let's not hang our collective confidence hats on just talent. It takes more than skills to succeed in the Big East. How will this team work together? Who besides Grant will want to take the big shot at the big moment? Who starts? What's the rotation like?

Who will fall into the Dragicevich category of wanting more, more more?

It's going to be a tricky test of balancing a whole lot of stuff next season, something Mike Brey rarely has had to do.

Wednesday March 28, 2012 12:30 sbtnoie

12:34

[Comment From Dwight from ArkansasDwight from Arkansas: ]

Kentucky is good, very good. As long as they have Calipari and his rent-a-player for a year before they head to the NBA they will continue to be. ND will never equal them in talent, because the Irish don't go after that kind of player. Top seeds usually get through to the final 4, this year no exception. Do you ever see a way a team like ND could win a title against talent-laden top seeds like Kentucky has annually? (I abhor the way KU wins, but admit they are very good)

Wednesday March 28, 2012 12:34 Dwight from Arkansas

12:37

sbtnoie:

Dwight:

Honestly? No. Notre Dame men's basketball isn't any closer to winning a national championship than Notre Dame football. In basketball, you look at Kentucky and Kansas and Ohio State - it's like comparing Notre Dame football to the SEC schools in terms of talent. No comparison.

Now, can Notre Dame basketball get to a Final Four like a VCU or a Butler or a Louisville? I don't think that's an unrealistic expectation.

Wednesday March 28, 2012 12:37 sbtnoie

12:39

[Comment From IrishWay96IrishWay96: ]

I appreciate the weekly chat and have been a huge ND Hoops fan for years. This past season far exceeded my expectations despite the Xaiver loss. I'm excited about the future and hope the NCAA does the right thing by granting Martin and Abro 6th years. How important is it for the University to capitalize on the program's success and come out with a concrete plan on a practice facility upagrade? Will ND have a new practice faclility within 5 years?

Wednesday March 28, 2012 12:39 IrishWay96

12:42

sbtnoie:

Irish Way:

Critically important that the university adds a practice facility. Why is that important? It tells potential recruits that you CARE about the program. If a big-time college baksetball recruit steps on campus and is truly interested in what Notre Dame has to offer academically and athletically, they are given a tour of campus.

Eventually, they see the Gug Complex and wonder, what's that? Football facility with weight room, indoor practice fields, meeting rooms, locker rooms, lounges, coaches offices, etc.

Where is the basketball version of the Gug, they will ask. Don't have one.

Visit over. Notre Dame crossed off the list.

That said, the university is at least five years away from having a practice facility. Remember, Mike Brey was promised upon his hiring that he would have a renovated Joyce Center arena within two years.

It took nine. Adding building over there on campus do not happen overnight. Or within a year or two. It's a long, drawn-out often pain-staking process.

Wednesday March 28, 2012 12:42 sbtnoie

12:49

sbtnoie:

Had a couple e-mails late last night after my story on southbendtribune.com regarding the transfer of Alex Dragicevich and the retirement of Mike Broghammer.

Several fans wanted to know about an early depth chart. Here's what it might look like when Notre Dame begins practice in October. Like this season, it's probably going to change. Maybe a lot.

This is assuming Scott Martin returns for a sixth season and Tim Abromaitis does not.

PG - Eric Atkins
SG - Jerian Grant
WF - Pat Connaughton, Cameron Biedscheid, Joey Brooks
WF - Scott Martin, Eric Katenda, Austin Burgett
PF - Jack Cooley, Garrick Sherman, Tom Knight, Zach Auguste

There are many interchangeable parts. Mike Brey is intrigued with playing Cooley and Sherman together at times. There may be times when Jerian Grant is the primary handler around a group of four that could include Connaughton, Biedscheid, Cooley and Sherman. Eric Katenda may be in the mix. Same with Auguste.

A whole lot of possibilities.......

Wednesday March 28, 2012 12:49 sbtnoie

12:50

[Comment From Smitty, TempeSmitty, Tempe: ]

Tom - can you expand on Drago's decision to transfer. was it purely for more minutes? Brey mentioned it was "mutual"... but i can't imagine Brey would have approached Drago to transfer. where do you think he'll end up? major conference of mid-major?

Wednesday March 28, 2012 12:50 Smitty, Tempe

1:09

sbtnoie:

Smitty:

The decision for Alex Dragicevich really came down to a matter of minutes. Dragicevich barely played as a freshman and made a huge leap in terms of minutes and shots and scoring this season. Problem was, as big of a jump as he made between his freshman and sophomore seasons, he wasn't going to make in either of the next two years. There's a logjam of guys in his spot - Pat Connaughton, Cameron Biedscheid, Scott Martin if he comes back, maybe Eric Katenda.

Alex Dragicevich believes he can be a starter and can play 34 minutes a game. Mike Brey couldn't promise him that at Notre Dame. Not next year, not the following year.

Sometimes, it happens that guys are better off elsewhere. Brey drew the comparison between Dragicevich and former Irish guards Ty Proffitt and Chris Markwood as well as forwards Omari Isreal and Omari Peterkin.

All believed they should be getting more minutes at Notre Dame than they were, and all decided to go elsewhere - to other programs not in the Big East, and all played.

Dragicevich's transfer wasn't a shock but it was a surprise - he played in all 34 games last season, averaged 7.0 ppg, played 20 minutes a game and was told no matter what, keeping shooting, keep shooting and keep shooting.

And he wanted more.

I'd say Dragicevich ends up in the Missouri Valley or the MAC. Like those other guys, he needs to move down a level to really maximize what he wants out of college basketball.

Wednesday March 28, 2012 1:09 sbtnoie

1:10

[Comment From KevinKevin: ]

Tom, It was nice to see Adrian Dantley honored this year, but there are so many players from the 70's and more recently (Dwight Clay, John Shumate, Bruce Flowers, Tom Sluby...) that don't seem to have any involvement with the program. Any thoughts on whether tying in the current program with players from the "glory years" under Digger might help boost the profile around here?

Wednesday March 28, 2012 1:10 Kevin

1:11

sbtnoie:

Kevin:

Disagree on the former players not having any involvement. That was the case maybe late in the John MacLeod days and under Matt Doherty, but Mike Brey's staff has worked a whole bunch trying to bring back former players. They hold a hoops reunion every other year. David Rivers has been to games on the road. Same with Bruce Flowers. Tom Hawkins.

Didn't know the Irish hoops program needed a "boost" around here.

Wednesday March 28, 2012 1:11 sbtnoie

1:11

[Comment From Mike, OhioMike, Ohio: ]

Tom- Do you think Drago will look to move down a level to DII? If so does he want to go closer to home or is he willing to move? I have a few school in mind that would be good for him at the DII level.

Wednesday March 28, 2012 1:11 Mike, Ohio

1:13

sbtnoie:

Mike:

Division II is too big of a drop for Alex Dragicevich. He may believe he could play in the Big Ten, but I'd say a MAC school or something in the Missouri Valley or even Horizon League is ideal for what he wants - 34 minutes a night and the chance to start.

Anything less, and it's a lateral move and a situation where he may wish he stayed at Notre Dame.

Wednesday March 28, 2012 1:13 sbtnoie

1:13

[Comment From wadelitewadelite: ]

been awhile since i have seen any thing, portillo's lunch?

Wednesday March 28, 2012 1:13 wadelite

1:13

sbtnoie:

Big Beef with extra hot peppers and a hot dog with everything.......thanks for brightening my day.

Wednesday March 28, 2012 1:13 sbtnoie

1:14

[Comment From andy-glendale heights, ilandy-glendale heights, il: ]

I've been on record as not being the biggest fan of Drago the player. I hope he finds a situation that works for him, but in all honesty, this was best for the program. I think that he has a chance to be a standout in a league like the MAC or Horizon league. I think it's a tribute to him and Coach Brey to part amicably and allow some more scholarship flexability.

Wednesday March 28, 2012 1:14 andy-glendale heights, il

1:16

sbtnoie:

Andy:

Amen. Alex Dragicevich went to Mike Brey with one wish - to play more as a starter. Brey couldn't guarantee that for the next two years, but he has said he will help Dragicevich find a new home.

Brey respects guys who just want to play and hit the reset button on their careers by transferring. He did the same from Northwestern (La.) State to George Washington, so he can relate when a player says he wants more minutes.

We'll see how it works out. Still, a tough bucket to walk away from a Notre Dame degree two years into the process.

Wednesday March 28, 2012 1:16 sbtnoie

1:16

[Comment From wadelitewadelite: ]

Have seen northwestern mentioned as a option for drago- would seem to be a good spot with their system and his skill set. Also their sf drew crawford is a senior next season.

Wednesday March 28, 2012 1:16 wadelite

1:18

sbtnoie:

Wade:

Northwestern might be a reach. He's got to get this one right - go to a place where he absolutely knows he's going to play heavy minutes and start. What happens if he plays big minutes one year and not as many the next? He'll regret leaving.

Gotta go for the sure thing in this situation - find a school where you're going to play and start and play a lot for two years.

Wednesday March 28, 2012 1:18 sbtnoie

1:19

[Comment From andy-glendale heights, ilandy-glendale heights, il: ]

Any rumors floating about possible non-conference home games for next year? I know there is a chance that we'll host an SEC-Big East challenge game but any other games with maybe a Missouri Valley team? Can't forget the "home" game in Indianapolis vs. Purdue (what a joke)

Wednesday March 28, 2012 1:19 andy-glendale heights, il

1:21

sbtnoie:

Andy:

Nope. The non-league slate is finished as far as "marquee" games and none of them are at home.

Notre Dame has the game against Purdue at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. They're going to play in the Big East/SEC Challenge (hopefully at home after playing Kentucky in Louisville in 2010) and then play in the Coaches vs Cancer two-day affair at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. with BYU, Florida State and St,. Joseph's.

Wednesday March 28, 2012 1:21 sbtnoie

1:26

[Comment From wadelitewadelite: ]

Seems like it is a matter of time before Inglesby gets a HC gig. Could you see Martin being a potential AC candidate at ND?

Wednesday March 28, 2012 1:26 wadelite

1:27

sbtnoie:

Wade:

I think you mean head coach at Notre Dame, right?

Not for many years - he may have to head out on his own to get some actual head coaching experience. He was involved last year with Princeton. Of course, if he spends another six, seven years with Mike Brey at Notre Dame, he might be ready to slide over a seat when Brey decides it's time to head for his summer home in Rehoboth full time.

Wednesday March 28, 2012 1:27 sbtnoie

1:28

[Comment From andy-glendale heights, ilandy-glendale heights, il: ]

well...a boy can hope. I don't blame them for not scheduling them, people probably wouldn't show up anyway. But the future is bright for this program and it's going to be fun going forward!

Wednesday March 28, 2012 1:28 andy-glendale heights, il

1:28

sbtnoie:

Andy:

That it is. Just make sure you drop by here every now and then for your hoops fix.

Wednesday March 28, 2012 1:28 sbtnoie

1:29

sbtnoie:

Thanks to everyone who stopped by with a question or a comment or just paused to watch for a few minutes. Gotta cut today's session a little shorter than usual. Work beckons. Be back next week.

For those of who cannot wait, you can always drop a question or comment or concern at tnoie@schurz.com" target="_blank" >tnoie@schurz.com. Thanks. Have a great day.

Wednesday March 28, 2012 1:29 sbtnoie

1:29