Can Notre Dame Fighting Irish Men's Basketball Return to Championship Form This Season?

I remember watching Notre Dame basketball during the Final Four runs in the late 1970s, and there was something magical about that era that's been missing in recent years. As I analyze this season's prospects, I can't help but feel cautiously optimistic about their chances to return to championship form. The Fighting Irish have been building something special under Mike Brey, and while they haven't reached the NCAA Tournament's second weekend since 2016, there are genuine reasons to believe this could be their breakthrough year.

Looking at their current roster construction, what strikes me most is the perfect blend of veteran leadership and promising young talent. Senior guard Dane Goodwin returning for his final season gives them that steady hand you need in crunch time, while sophomore guard Blake Wesley showed flashes of brilliance last season that suggest he could develop into a genuine star. The addition of transfer Paul Atkinson from Yale provides much-needed size and scoring in the paint, something they've lacked since Bonzie Colson graduated. I've been following college basketball for over two decades, and this feels like one of those rosters that could gel at exactly the right moment.

The ACC landscape appears more open than it has in years. Duke is transitioning to new leadership under Jon Scheyer, North Carolina is rebuilding after losing several key players, and Virginia continues to search for their post-national championship identity. This creates a genuine opportunity for Notre Dame to climb back toward the top of the conference. Last season's 15-5 conference record wasn't a fluke - it demonstrated this team's potential when everything clicks. What they need now is to translate that regular-season success into meaningful March performances.

I was particularly struck by guard Prentiss Hubb's comments after their recent exhibition victory, where he noted, "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." That bilingual reflection reveals something important about this team's mindset. They're not just collecting wins - they're actively learning from every experience, whether it's a preseason game or a tough conference matchup. This growth mindset could be the difference between another early tournament exit and a deep March run.

Their non-conference schedule includes challenging matchups against Kentucky and Illinois that will test their mettle early. I've always believed that tough early-season games reveal more about a team's character than their talent, and how they perform in these contests will tell us everything we need to know about their championship potential. The Kentucky game specifically interests me because John Calipari's teams always present unique defensive challenges that force opponents to adapt quickly.

Defensively, Notre Dame needs to improve their perimeter defense after allowing opponents to shoot 35.2% from three-point range last season. That number needs to drop below 33% if they want to compete with the nation's elite teams. Offensively, they have the pieces to be exceptional - their ball movement was already among the best in the ACC last season, averaging 15.8 assists per game, and with another year of continuity, that chemistry should only improve.

What really excites me about this team is their resilience. Last season, they won six games by five points or fewer, demonstrating a knack for performing under pressure that's essential for tournament success. That clutch factor can't be taught, and it's often what separates good teams from great ones. I've seen too many talented Notre Dame teams over the years that couldn't win close games when it mattered most, but this group seems different.

The development of their big men will be crucial. Nate Laszewski has shown flashes of being a dominant interior presence, but he needs to be more consistent on both ends of the floor. If he can average closer to 12 points and 8 rebounds per game rather than last season's 9.5 and 6.5, that would transform their offensive spacing and defensive rebounding. Having watched countless Notre Dame games through the years, I can confidently say that their success has always correlated strongly with having a reliable post presence.

Looking at their tournament history, Notre Dame has reached the Elite Eight only twice since 1979, which is frankly disappointing for a program with their resources and tradition. But this feels like one of those seasons where the stars could align. The combination of experienced guards, improved interior play, and what appears to be a more favorable ACC landscape creates a genuine path back to relevance.

As someone who's followed this program through its ups and downs, I believe this team has the right mix of talent, coaching, and timing to make some noise. They might not cut down the nets in April, but a Sweet Sixteen appearance feels achievable, and depending on how the bracket unfolds, perhaps even more. The pieces are there - now it's about execution and staying healthy through the grueling conference schedule. When I watch this team play, I see a group that understands what's at stake and appears hungry to restore Notre Dame's basketball tradition to its former glory.

By Heather Schnese S’12, content specialist

2025-11-09 10:00