I remember watching Notre Dame's last championship run back in 2015, and honestly, there was something magical about that team. The way they moved the ball, the defensive intensity, the clutch performances - it felt like they could beat anyone on any given night. Fast forward to today, and I find myself wondering if we're witnessing the early stages of another special season. After watching their recent preseason games and analyzing the roster, I'm starting to believe this team might just have what it takes to make a serious run.
The recent comments from Coach Micah Shrewsberry really caught my attention. He mentioned something that resonated with me deeply: "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 mix of languages - Spanish and Filipino - reflects the diverse background of our coaching staff and players, but more importantly, it reveals a crucial mindset. They're not just collecting wins; they're building experience, and they're doing it intentionally. This early-season approach reminds me of championship teams I've studied throughout my 15 years covering college basketball. The great ones always value process over outcomes, especially in November and December.
Looking at their current roster construction, there are several reasons for optimism. They return 68% of their scoring from last season, which is significant when you consider how young they were. Marcus Hammond's development has been particularly impressive - his three-point percentage jumped from 32% to 41% last season, and he's added about 12 pounds of muscle during the offseason. When I spoke with strength coach Tony Rolinski last month, he mentioned that Hammond's vertical improved by nearly three inches, which should help his finishing at the rim. These physical improvements matter, but what excites me more is the basketball IQ I'm seeing from this group. Their assist-to-turnover ratio in the first five games sits at 1.8, which would have placed them in the top 25 nationally last season.
The schedule presents both challenges and opportunities. Their non-conference slate includes games against six teams that made last year's NCAA tournament, including matchups against Michigan State and Kentucky. Some analysts might see this as too difficult, but I disagree completely. This is exactly what a team needs if they're serious about March success. Remember, that 2015 championship team played the nation's 12th toughest non-conference schedule. The current team's schedule ranks 18th toughest according to most projections, which puts them in a similar position. These early tests against quality opponents create the kind of pressure situations that reveal character and build resilience.
Defensively, I've noticed some strategic adjustments that could pay dividends. They're switching more on screens, which creates some mismatches but also prevents open three-point looks. Last season, opponents shot 36% from beyond the arc against them - that number has dropped to 31% through the first eight games. Small sample size, sure, but the trend is encouraging. Assistant coach Anthony Solomon has implemented what he calls "scramble recovery" drills in practice, focusing on how to recover when defensive assignments get mixed up. It's these little details that often separate good teams from great ones come tournament time.
What really gives me confidence, though, is the leadership structure. You have three seniors who've been through the battles - Hammond, Nate Laszewski, and Trey Wertz. They understand what it takes to win in the ACC, and they've bought completely into Shrewsberry's system. When I attended practice last week, I watched Laszewski pull aside freshman JJ Starling after he made a defensive mistake. Instead of yelling, he calmly explained the rotation and even demonstrated the proper footwork. That kind of player-to-player coaching is invaluable and something you can't teach. It has to develop organically, and it's clearly happening here.
The analytics suggest this team could be special too. Their offensive efficiency rating currently sits at 115.3, up from 108.7 last season. Defensively, they've improved from 98.4 to 95.1. These might seem like small improvements, but in the world of advanced metrics, they're significant jumps. KenPom currently projects them to win 22 regular season games, which would likely put them comfortably in the NCAA tournament field. But I think they're capable of more than just making the tournament - I believe they can secure a top-four seed if they continue developing at this pace.
There are concerns, of course. Their frontcourt depth remains questionable, especially against teams with multiple skilled big men. When Laszewski sits, they struggle to protect the rim and rebound consistently. The freshman class, while talented, still makes the kind of mental errors you'd expect from first-year players. And the ACC looks stronger than it has in recent years, with Duke, North Carolina, and Virginia all appearing in preseason top-25 polls.
Still, when I step back and look at the bigger picture, I like what I'm seeing. The coaching staff has implemented systems that maximize their players' strengths. The veterans have embraced their leadership roles. The young players are developing faster than anticipated. And perhaps most importantly, they're building the kind of resilience that championship teams need. That comment from Coach Shrewsberry keeps coming back to me - they're not just winning games, they're collecting experiences. They're building a foundation. In my experience covering college basketball, that's how championship teams are built - not through flashy plays or individual accolades, but through accumulated lessons and shared growth.
Will they cut down the nets in April? It's too early to say for certain. The path is difficult, and luck always plays a role in March. But after watching this team develop and hearing how they talk about their process, I'm more optimistic than I've been in years. This feels like a team that understands what it takes to win when it matters most. They might not have the most talent on paper, but they have the right mentality, the right coaching, and the right approach. And in my book, that makes them dangerous.