Notre Dame Basketball Could Be Awesome In 2016-2017

[IrishInOntario]

IMO, two things need to happen for ND's basketball team to be exceptional next year. Neither will be easy, but it would be awesome...

1. Mike Brey needs to convince Demetrious Jackson so finish off his degree and try to make a run to the Final Four.

2. Landing Thon Maker to replace Zach Auguste would be an enormous addition as a shot blocker and rebounder. It might me a stretch to think the Irish have a serious chance, but it sounds like ND's in it.

This lineup would actually be really good if Brey can pull it off...

PG: Demetrious Jackson (SR)
G: Steve Vasturia (SR)
G: V.J. Beachem (SR)
F: Bonzie Colson (JR)
F: Thon Maker (FR)

Bench
G: Matt Farrell (JR)
G: Matt Ryan (Soph)
G: Rex Pflueger (Soph)
G: T.J. Gibbs (FR)
F: Elijah Burns (Soph)

Notre Dame would actually be able to go 9-10 deep next year, play different lineups and would be a veteran, experienced, team.

- Farrell could start in place of Colson against smaller teams that stretch the perimeter with 4 shooters.

- Ryan is an instant 3-point threat off the bench.

- Pflueger becomes your 6th man for defensive purposes and if he could chip in 6'ish points per game next year it would be huge. Really needs to keep getting stronger and work hard on his offensive game this summer.

- It's important to get Gibbs some much needed work behind both Demetrious and Steve. One of here of Farrell with be running the point in the future, with the other as the off guard. It's vital he sees minutes, especially in lopsided non-conference wins and any ACC games ND is ahead in.

- I've heard nothing about good things about Elijah Burns' future. At 6'8 he'll give ND another player in the post that can bang with the big bodies in ACC play.

Fingers crossed because ND could be very good next year.

 

[end_23]

#1 is not happening. I was at the NC State game and it was clear at the end of the game that DJ was not going to be playing another game at the Joyce ever again. I guarantee he goes pro.

 

[Nocalirish]

Projections have DJ early 2nd round in NBA draft. That means no guaranteed contract if he goes pro. Of course if he has a great sweet 16 his draft status may rise. He may really be coming back to ND.

 

[BGI User 348]

IIO--nice! A bball guru too!

 

[Yooper Irishfan]

Being the pessimist/realist that I am, I do not expect DJ to come back, nor do I expect us to land Maker (hope I'm wrong). If those two predictions are true, we're going to have some problems next year. No solid point guard, unless Farrell improves tremendously, and no big inside presence underneath (besides Bonzie, but he's way undersized to be a 5 all the time). I am hoping to see this current team play at least 2 more games!

 

[shooter1977]

As of now, Maker's last official visit is ND in late April. He'd be by far the highest rated recruit Brey has ever landed.

 

[ranger13]

#1 is not happening. I was at the NC State game and it was clear at the end of the game that DJ was not going to be playing another game at the Joyce ever again. I guarantee he goes pro.

Your guarantee is worthless. As somebody close to VJ, one his closest friends off the court, I would say at this point DJ has not even seriously thought about leaving or staying. He is only concerned with the next game on Friday. Once the season ends, he will sit down with the staff and go from there. You can try to spin it all you want, but believe me DJ will thoroughly weigh all the pros and cons before deciding.

 

[Pennick4]

#1 is not happening. I was at the NC State game and it was clear at the end of the game that DJ was not going to be playing another game at the Joyce ever again. I guarantee he goes pro.

Thanks. This means there is a great chance he will come back. You're a half wit.

 

[stu4don]

I don't follow BB recruiting that closely. Kinda depressing to see Duke with #2, #3 and Kentucky with #4,5,6 -- half of the top ten recruits in the country. How the hell do we compete with teams that have that kind of talent. I mean, how the hell is Brey beating Coach K so much lately?! Couldn't find Maker -- what is he rated?

(In football, I was on the 24/7 site and OSU has 7 top 100 players in Football. We have 1. Damn. Maybe I shouldn't look!)

 

[IrishInOntario]

Stu,

Thon Maker is a 7'0, 220lbs center prospect from Orangeville, Ontario, Canada. Many people expect him to be 1-2 and done, Brey has already signed his teammate in the 2017 class. ESPN gives him a #97 overall grade and he's widely considered to be among the best players in the 2017 recruiting class. He would be a really solid replacement for Auguste. He probably wouldn't give us Zach's scoring as a freshman, but he would certainly help the defense, especially as a shot blocker and rebounder.

It's been widely speculated that Maker's decision to come to South Bend would depend heavily on Jackson's decision to return, as he wants to play for a pro point guard who can get him the ball.

 

[NDCap]

Biggest recruit in Brey career by far wd be to land Maker . I do think the incoming freshman Gibbs would start from day 1 at the PG if DJ went pro. IMO Matt Ryan is a very important player next year . He is 6-8 and can shoot it long range . He would present a nightmare match up for an opponents big. bringing him way from the basket. He needs to become a complete player fast.

 

[IrishInOntario]

Biggest recruit in Brey career by far wd be to land Maker . I do think the incoming freshman Gibbs would start from day 1 at the PG if DJ went pro. IMO Matt Ryan is a very important player next year . He is 6-8 and can shoot it long range . He would present a nightmare match up for an opponents big. bringing him way from the basket. He needs to become a complete player fast.

Cap, Maker really enjoyed his Kansas trip from what I'm hearing so I'm really hoping ND can sway him on his April visit. Fingers crossed!

Is Matt Ryan really 6'8? I've always wondered if that's accurate. I've never stood near him so I'm not sure. I know he's listed at 6'8, but I've always though he was more in the like 6'6.5 range. Still a big guy, but I'm not sure if he's as big as he's listed. For example, Elijah Burns is listed at 6'8 and remember seeing a picture of him and Ryan beside each other. Now granted, it's a picture and we all know how deceiving that can be, but from what I saw anyways, it looked like burns was a little bit taller... Regardless, what I'm most curious about with Ryan is his athleticism. Is he another Beachem, Abromiatis type, with a sweet shot and limited athleticism, or can he put the ball on the floor at all and attack the rim? I don't expect him to be Pat Connaughton athletic, but it would be nice if he could get a smaller guard or a larger forward in a bind by being bigger and stronger than a guard and taking him into the lane, or causing a big man to come out to the perimeter to guard him.

ND's got an interesting group because they don't have a true big man. It reminds me of when they had Carleton Scott and Tyrone Nash. Two 6'7, 6'8 type guys, but no true big man like Auguste gives them. If Jackson doesn't return and ND doesn't get Maker, Notre Dame's lineup is going be really strange... Something like

PG: Matt Farrell (JR) or TJ Gibbs (FR)
G: Steve Vasturia (SR)
G: VJ Beachem (SR)
F: Bonzie Colson (JR)
F: Elijah Burns (SOPH) or Marten Gebens (JR) or Matt Ryan (SOPH)

Colson is banger as an undersized forward but there is no way he's going to be able to hold up all game long as the "big man" on the floor at 6'5, even if he does have a 7 footers wing span.

 

[NDCap]

I am a HS Athletic director and my BBall coach knows him from summer ball . He is definately in the 6-7 or 6-8 range. He is more of a spot up shooter and has to continue to develop some ability to attack the basket and consistently make the 12-15 footer. I think he will improve and he definitely likes the run and gun offense. This team will be a run and gun team next year . Colson , Beechum and Ryan start on the frontcourt with Torres , Geban, Burns and the incoming Frosh getting minutes . Brey never liked the 2 big philosophy . He has plenty of guards and will use that as his advantage . he plays 9 for sure in 2016-17. Maker would be the defensive specialist that could get this team to the Final Four. Hopefully he sees that ND is legit enough to play for the Chip even if it's one season.

 

[ranger13]

Stu,

Thon Maker is a 7'0, 220lbs center prospect from Orangeville, Ontario, Canada. Many people expect him to be 1-2 and done, Brey has already signed his teammate in the 2017 class. ESPN gives him a #97 overall grade and he's widely considered to be among the best players in the 2017 recruiting class. He would be a really solid replacement for Auguste. He probably wouldn't give us Zach's scoring as a freshman, but he would certainly help the defense, especially as a shot blocker and rebounder.

It's been widely speculated that Maker's decision to come to South Bend would depend heavily on Jackson's decision to return, as he wants to play for a pro point guard who can get him the ball.

I disagree with you on the offense comment. Thon is already a more skilled offensive player than Zach. He has 3 point ability and despite his appearance in the weight category, he is definitely more aggressive in attacking the rim than Zach. He is a kid that some are saying will change the way the game is played and I would have to agree. He has performed very well against the top recruits in last years class and this years. This kid, with DJ on the roster would have the Irish as definite final four contenders next year. He is an intelligent basketball player with very good footwork as well for a player his size which probably came from his soccer playing days.

 

[end_23]

Your guarantee is worthless. As somebody close to VJ, one his closest friends off the court, I would say at this point DJ has not even seriously thought about leaving or staying. He is only concerned with the next game on Friday. Once the season ends, he will sit down with the staff and go from there. You can try to spin it all you want, but believe me DJ will thoroughly weigh all the pros and cons before deciding.

Well, I was right once again. You, however, look like a homer with no clue. Leave the sports opinions to a pro.

 

[end_23]

As of now, Maker's last official visit is ND in late April. He'd be by far the highest rated recruit Brey has ever landed.

He's not coming now. Typical ND student-athletes- highly rated, come up short in the tournament, then leave early. DJ and Jaylon come to mind. ND basketball is back to average now next year.

 

[end_23]

Thanks. This means there is a great chance he will come back. You're a half wit.

You're always wrong, like this time, but you keep coming back for more. It's entertainment for me. Always being a homer makes you look like a puzzlewit.

 

[IrishInOntario]

I'm really excited for Demetrious and I look forward to following him in the NBA. That said, ND isn't going back to being "average" simply because of his departure. ND will still be a well above average top 35'ish team next year, will make the NCAA tournament barring so key injuries and will again be in position to compete through the first weekend.

T.J. Gibbs is going to be a darn good point guard at ND. Not Demetrious Jackson, and he'll do it a little bit differently (better shooter, less explosive), but between he and Farrell ND will be ok at point guard. The bigger challenge will be to get Geben and Burns ready to play in the paint and to see if John Mooney is ready to contribute as a freshman...

Everyone is always "doom and gloom" when a top player moves on, but everyone else gets a year better and people often forget that. Think of VJ Beachem a year ago. He wasn't even playing because Brey didn't think he deserved to be on the floor. He's now been named to the All Tournament team in the NCAA Tournament and we're starting to see the emergence of a 6'8 combo forward / guard who can both attack the rim and is one of the better 3 point shooters in the country. Vasturia had a rough past month but prior to that he had been reliable for ND and there is no reason to think he won't rebound and get his consistency back.

G: T.J. Gibbs
G: Steve Vasturia
G: VJ Beachem
F: Bonzie Colson
F: Marten Geben or Elijah Burns

G: Rex Pflueger
G: Matt Ryan
G: Matt Farrell
F: Marten Geben or Elijah Burns

That group is good enough to win 20 games and head back to the NCAA tournament. Am I expecting 3 elite 8 runs un 3 years? No... But considering ND is the only team in the country to have been in the Elite 8 these two past years, you can see how difficult it has been for even the bluebloods that recruit at an elite level.

ND will do just fine, as they have for just about every season under Mike Brey in the past decade.

 

[sshulk]

Tournament runs are usually about matchups and winning close games ... ND had squeakers against an 11,14 and 7 - anything is possible if you make the tournament - just ask Syracuse or Mich State for that matter

 

[sshulk]

As for next year I'm more worried about guard play (which will be a big dropoff) than I am about Bonzie. This team will need to ramp up the defense and rely more on three pointers with DJs penetrating and Zachs nightly double double gone

 

[hvillebill]

He's not coming now. Typical ND student-athletes- highly rated, come up short in the tournament, then leave early. DJ and Jaylon come to mind. ND basketball is back to average now next year.

How did they "come up short" in the tournament? Back in January you said the season was in the dumpster, yet they made the Elite Eight for the second year in a row.

Do you actually believe some of the crap you post?

 

[echowaker]

Well, I was right once again. You, however, look like a homer with no clue. Leave the sports opinions to a pro.

congrats on your initial correct opinion. hardly eye opening though. it's not like jackson going pro was some sort of shock. pretty common knowledge but at least you can finally put one in the win column. big day for you.

 

[end_23]

Knowledge is power. People in here, all be it blind, thought DJ was coming back? He knew he was leaving all along. A fruitcake like echo, who likely has CTE, is always crying in here.

Who would of thunk it? A forum where people could express OPINIONS...... Our country is getting soft. It's like a daily liberal think tank in here. You can post whatever you want but it better be something that everyone has to agree with. USA 2016- sad.

 

[hvillebill]

Knowledge is power. People in here, all be it blind, thought DJ was coming back? He knew he was leaving all along. A fruitcake like echo, who likely has CTE, is always crying in here.

Who would of thunk it? A forum where people could express OPINIONS...... Our country is getting soft. It's like a daily liberal think tank in here. You can post whatever you want but it better be something that everyone has to agree with. USA 2016- sad.

Sad? No, the sad thing here is that you think you're always right but that is rarely the case. And you never admit when you're wrong, like the basketball season "being in the dumpster". In January, mind you.

Remember that one?

But your initial sentence is correct. Knowledge is power. So therefore, I suggest you acquire some.

 

[NDSMC78]

Sad? No, the sad thing here is that you think you're always right but that is rarely the case. And you never admit when you're wrong, like the basketball season "being in the dumpster". In January, mind you.

Remember that one?

But your initial sentence is correct. Knowledge is power. So therefore, I suggest you acquire some.

Looks like 11NC's is posting under another name. I never put the guy on ignore, but I must have his alias on ignore. Still trying to figure out why this board tolerates people posting under multiple screen names.

 

[TDIrish27]

Would love to us pull in a Grad Transfer either frontcourt or backcourt.

Spike Albrecht could really help us IMO and our offense is a fit for him.

 

[Classic Irish]

Sad? No, the sad thing here is that you think you're always right but that is rarely the case. And you never admit when you're wrong, like the basketball season "being in the dumpster". In January, mind you.

Remember that one?

Really? He's now posting under another alias? Pathetic but not surprising.

Thanks for the heads-up.