As I sit down to analyze the Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball team's latest season, I can't help but reflect on how this program continues to fascinate me with its unique blend of tradition and modern basketball evolution. Having followed college basketball for over fifteen years, I've developed a particular appreciation for programs that balance competitive excellence with genuine player development, and Notre Dame consistently demonstrates this delicate balance. This past season, while not necessarily championship-caliber, revealed some fascinating developments that deserve closer examination.
The Fighting Irish finished the season with a respectable 24-11 record, including a solid 13-7 performance in the challenging ACC conference. What struck me most about this team was their resilience in crucial moments – they went 6-3 in games decided by five points or fewer, showing a mental toughness that many previous Notre Dame squads lacked. I particularly remember that thrilling overtime victory against North Carolina where they erased a 12-point second-half deficit. That game, in my view, represented a turning point in their season, giving the young players confidence that they could compete with anyone in the conference. The way they maintained composure during those final minutes demonstrated significant growth from earlier in the season when they might have folded under similar pressure.
Looking at the statistical profile, Notre Dame's offense operated with impressive efficiency, ranking 42nd nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency according to KenPom metrics. They shot 47.3% from the field and an impressive 37.1% from three-point range, numbers that placed them among the top third of Division I programs. What I found particularly encouraging was their ball movement – averaging 15.2 assists per game showed a commitment to team basketball that sometimes gets lost in today's highlight-driven culture. Defensively, they were adequate rather than exceptional, but their ability to force turnovers in key moments often bailed them out when their shooting went cold. I've always believed that defense travels better than offense in tournament settings, and their occasional defensive lapses probably cost them a couple of additional wins that could have changed their postseason trajectory.
The development of individual players told an equally compelling story. Sophomore guard J.J. Starling emerged as a legitimate scoring threat, increasing his average from 11.2 to 16.8 points per game while improving his three-point percentage from 32% to 38%. I've been particularly impressed with his mid-range game, which has become virtually unstoppable when he gets to his spots. Freshman forward Carey Booth showed flashes of brilliance that suggest he could develop into one of the ACC's premier big men within the next two seasons. His rebounding numbers don't jump off the page at 6.1 per game, but his defensive positioning and ability to alter shots without fouling demonstrated a basketball IQ beyond his years.
What truly stood out to me this season, however, was the team's perspective on growth and experience. After their hard-fought victory against Wake Forest in February, one player perfectly captured this mindset, stating, "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 comment resonated with me because it highlighted how the team valued the process over immediate results – understanding that early experiences, both positive and negative, would pay dividends later. This philosophical approach to development is something I wish more programs would embrace rather than focusing solely on tournament outcomes. The player's mixed language expression itself reflected the diverse backgrounds that make college basketball so rich, while emphasizing the universal truth that growth often matters more than short-term achievements.
The coaching staff deserves significant credit for navigating the challenges of a competitive conference while developing young talent. Head coach Micah Shrewsberry demonstrated his strategic flexibility by implementing different defensive schemes depending on the opponent, something I noticed in their preparation for specific matchups. His decision to increase the tempo slightly compared to previous seasons – moving from 65.2 to 67.1 possessions per game – showed an understanding that this roster's strengths differed from previous iterations. Assistant coaches clearly worked wonders with player development, particularly in refining the shooting mechanics of several players who showed marked improvement from beyond the arc.
From a roster construction perspective, Notre Dame struck an effective balance between experienced players and promising newcomers. The graduation of three seniors will create opportunities for the incoming recruiting class, which ranks in the top 25 nationally according to most services. I'm particularly excited about the potential of incoming point guard Marcus Burton, whose playmaking ability could immediately address their occasional offensive stagnation. The transfer portal additions also appear well-suited to fill specific needs, especially on the defensive end where they struggled at times against more athletic opponents.
As I reflect on the season as a whole, what stands out isn't any single victory or statistical achievement, but rather the clear identity this team developed. They knew who they were – a disciplined, skilled offensive team that could execute in half-court settings – and rarely deviated from that identity even when facing more talented opponents. Their 8-3 record in November and December showed they could handle the non-conference schedule effectively, while their competitive performances against eventual NCAA tournament teams like Duke and Virginia demonstrated they belonged in the conversation of solid ACC programs. The heartbreaking 72-70 loss to Virginia Tech in the ACC Tournament still stings when I think about it, but even that experience contributed to the growth that the player referenced in that insightful post-game comment.
Looking ahead, I'm optimistic about the program's direction. The foundation established this season – both in terms of system implementation and player development – provides a solid platform for future success. With most of their core expected to return and another year of development under this coaching staff, I wouldn't be surprised to see Notre Dame make a jump into the upper echelon of the ACC next season. The experience gained through both victories and narrow defeats has created a resilient group that understands what it takes to compete at this level. While championships remain the ultimate goal, the philosophical approach of valuing growth and experience suggests this program is building something sustainable rather than chasing short-term success – and as a longtime observer of college basketball, that's exactly the approach I believe leads to lasting achievement.
