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Thursday, March 28, 2024
The Observer

Just mediocrity

 As loyal members of the Leprechaun Legion, we have decided that the mediocrity of Notre Dame Men's Basketball must be uncovered. For too long now, Notre Dame Basketball has been anything but impressive. The Irish basketball squad has made one Final Four appearance in its entire history. The team has not made it past the Sweet 16 in 29 years. Fourteen of those years, they did not even get invited to the tournament. We have the 12th largest budget in the Big East. Our facilities are improving, but still not state-of-the-art. Fundamentals have taken a backseat to offensive showboating. Neither heart nor defense exists, as seen from our recent losses to Rutgers, Seton Hall, St. John's and Louisville. The only players that show any amount of well-rounded talent are Tory Jackson, as alumnus Joe Schueller aptly stated in his opinion "Celebrate Tory Jackson," and the freshmen, who show more heart than some of our senior captains. To those that actually care about men's basketball, like we do, shouldn't we find it odd that only the football program changes direction after three to five years of mediocrity? Would it not make sense for the basketball program to do the same?

Granted, Mike Brey has done a remarkable job attempting to build the program. He has the second best winning percentage of current Big East coaches and has been named Big East Coach of the Year twice. These are three very impressive statistics for Coach Brey. However, if he would like to continue his one-man offense, the New Jersey Nets are calling. There, he can draft Luke Harangody and continue to pursue his dreams of winning. It is time for the Irish Men's Basketball Team to hoist the NCAA Championship Trophy, or at least make it back into the "Madness."
 
Aaron Strumpf
freshman
Keough Hall
Rob Toole
freshman
Keough Hall
Feb. 17

The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.