I remember watching Notre Dame's last championship run back in 2015, and let me tell you, that team had something special - a perfect blend of veteran leadership and young talent that just clicked at the right moment. Fast forward to today, and I find myself wondering if this current squad can recapture that magic. The Fighting Irish finished last season with a respectable 24-11 record, but fell short in the NCAA tournament's second round. This year feels different though - there's a renewed energy around the program that reminds me of those championship years.
Looking at their preseason performance, particularly their recent exhibition games, I've noticed something interesting developing with this team. Coach Mike Brey seems to have found a winning formula during their international tour, especially during their games in the Philippines. I was particularly struck by guard Dane Goodwin's comments after one of their preseason victories. He mentioned, "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 Tagalog and English really stood out to me - it shows this team is building chemistry beyond the court, developing bonds that could prove crucial during tight conference games. That kind of cultural immersion and shared experience often creates the type of team cohesion that championship squads are made of.
The ACC looks particularly tough this season, with Duke returning three starters from their Final Four team and North Carolina adding that phenomenal transfer from Oregon. But here's what gives me hope about Notre Dame's chances - they return 78% of their scoring from last season, including all five starters. That continuity matters, especially in today's era of constant roster turnover. Having watched college basketball for over two decades, I can tell you that experienced teams often outperform more talented but less experienced squads come tournament time. The Irish have that veteran presence that could prove invaluable during those pressure-packed March moments.
Their non-conference schedule includes some real tests that will show us what this team is made of. They've got Kentucky at Rupp Arena in December, followed by Michigan State at home - both games that could significantly impact their tournament seeding. Personally, I believe how they perform in these early tests will tell us everything we need to know about their championship potential. If they can split these two games while maintaining their defensive intensity, I'd consider that a huge success. The key will be whether their big men can handle Kentucky's size and athleticism - that's been their Achilles heel in recent seasons against elite competition.
What really excites me about this team is their backcourt depth. With Blake Wesley developing into a legitimate NBA prospect and Prentiss Hubb providing steady leadership, they have the guard play that's essential for tournament success. I've watched Wesley's game evolve over the summer, and his shooting percentage has improved from 42% to what I project could be around 47% this season. That kind of efficiency boost could be the difference between a second-round exit and a deep tournament run. The way he's been attacking the rim in preseason reminds me of Jerian Grant during his All-American season.
The development of their sophomore class will be another crucial factor. I've been particularly impressed with J.R. Konieczny's growth - his three-point shooting during summer workouts was reportedly around 44%, though we'll need to see if that translates to actual games. If he can provide consistent scoring off the bench, that gives Coach Brey the flexibility to experiment with different lineups. Having multiple scoring threats beyond the starting five is something championship teams always seem to have.
Defensively, there are still questions that need answering. Last season, they ranked 89th in defensive efficiency according to KenPom metrics, which simply won't cut it if they want to compete for championships. From what I've observed in their preseason games, they're switching more on screens and showing better help defense rotation. But the real test will come when they face teams with multiple scoring options. I'm curious to see if their big men can protect the rim consistently against athletic opponents - that's been their weakness in recent tournament appearances.
The mental aspect of this team seems stronger than in previous years. That international experience they gained, particularly in high-pressure environments abroad, could pay huge dividends. When Goodwin talked about gaining "that kind of experience early," it resonated with me because tournament basketball is all about handling unfamiliar situations. Teams that have faced diverse styles and played in different environments tend to adapt better during March Madness. I've seen it time and again - the most well-traveled teams often make the deepest runs.
Looking at their path through the ACC, I count at least twelve games that could go either way. Realistically, they'll need to win eight of those to secure a top-four conference finish and the double-bye in the ACC tournament. Based on what I've seen so far, I believe they have the talent to achieve that, provided they stay healthy. The injury bug has bitten them hard in recent seasons, particularly with their frontcourt players. If they can maintain their core rotation through February, I like their chances to make some noise come tournament time.
There's something about this particular Notre Dame team that feels different from the squads we've seen in recent years. Maybe it's the combination of experienced leadership and emerging young talent, or perhaps it's the international bonding experience that's created stronger team chemistry. Whatever it is, I find myself more optimistic about their championship chances than I've been since that 2015 Elite Eight run. They have the pieces - now it's about putting them together consistently against top competition. The journey begins in earnest next month, and I'll be watching closely to see if this team can indeed return to championship form. Something tells me we might be in for a special season in South Bend.