I've been following Notre Dame basketball for over a decade now, and I have to say, this season feels different. Watching the team's recent performances, particularly their exhibition games, I'm getting that familiar tingle of excitement mixed with cautious optimism. The question on everyone's mind—and one I've been pondering deeply—is whether the Fighting Irish can truly return to championship form this season. Let me share why I believe they might just have what it takes, while also acknowledging the significant hurdles ahead.
When I look at this team, what strikes me most is their international experience. I was particularly impressed by Coach Micah Shrewsberry's recent comments about their overseas games. He mentioned something that really resonated with me: "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 blend of Tagalog and English perfectly captures the global nature of modern basketball. What he's essentially saying is that these early international experiences are providing invaluable lessons that regular season games simply can't replicate. I've always believed that teams who play internationally early in the season develop a certain toughness and adaptability that serves them well come tournament time. Notre Dame played 3 international exhibition games this preseason, winning 2 and losing 1 by a narrow margin of just 4 points against professional European teams. Those numbers might not seem impressive at first glance, but the experience gained against different styles of play is absolutely priceless.
The roster construction this year feels more balanced than in recent memory. We've got veteran leadership from players like J.R. Konieczny, who averaged 14.3 points per game last season, combined with exciting freshmen who are already showing they belong at this level. I was at the Blue-Gold game last month, and the energy from the newcomers was palpable. They're not just waiting their turn—they're pushing the established players every day in practice. That internal competition breeds excellence, and I've noticed Coach Shrewsberry is fostering that competitive environment beautifully. He's not afraid to mix up lineups or give younger players meaningful minutes in crucial situations. That willingness to adapt and develop talent throughout the roster, rather than relying solely on star players, reminds me of the approach that brought Notre Dame their last championship in 2015.
Now, let's talk about the ACC conference, because honestly, it's brutal this year. Duke returns what I consider to be their strongest roster since 2019, North Carolina added two five-star recruits, and Virginia's defensive system remains as frustratingly effective as ever. For Notre Dame to compete for a championship, they'll need to navigate what I'm projecting as the toughest ACC schedule they've faced in at least 5 years. Their non-conference schedule includes matchups against 3 teams that made the NCAA tournament last season, including what could be a season-defining game against Kentucky in December. I've circled that date on my calendar because how they perform in that game will tell us a lot about their championship potential.
The offensive system Shrewsberry has implemented emphasizes ball movement and three-point shooting, which plays perfectly to this team's strengths. Last season, they attempted 28.4 three-pointers per game, and I expect that number to increase to around 32 this year. When they're moving the ball well and knocking down shots, they're capable of beating anyone. I've seen stretches where their offense looks absolutely unstoppable—the ball zips around, players cut with purpose, and they generate high-percentage looks. The challenge has been maintaining that level of execution against elite defensive teams. Their field goal percentage dropped from 47.2% against unranked opponents to just 41.1% against ranked teams last season. That discrepancy must improve if they want to make a championship run.
Defensively, they've shown flashes of brilliance but need more consistency. Their half-court defense has been solid, holding opponents to just 65.3 points per game in their last 10 contests, but their transition defense has been suspect at times. I've noticed they tend to get caught watching the ball rather than finding their assignments when the game speeds up. Against the elite teams they'll face in tournament play, those lapses become magnified. The good news is that this seems to be more about focus and communication than talent, which means it's correctable with coaching and experience.
What gives me genuine hope, though, is the team's mentality. I've had the opportunity to speak with several players after games, and there's a quiet confidence about this group that I haven't seen in recent years. They understand the program's history—the 1978 Final Four appearance, the multiple Elite Eight runs—and they genuinely believe they can add to that legacy. That belief matters more than people realize. Championship teams need talent, sure, but they also need that intangible belief that they belong among the elite.
Still, I have my concerns. The lack of a proven go-to scorer in crunch time worries me. Last season, they lost 6 games by 5 points or fewer, often because they couldn't get a quality look in the final possessions. Someone needs to emerge as that reliable option when the game is on the line. My money is on freshman phenom Markus Burton growing into that role as the season progresses, but asking a first-year player to carry that burden in the ACC is a tall order.
As we look toward March, I'm cautiously optimistic about Notre Dame's chances. They have the coaching, the emerging talent, and perhaps most importantly, that early international experience that builds character and resilience. Will they win the national championship? Probably not—the odds are stacked against any single team in modern college basketball. But can they make a deep tournament run and reestablish themselves as a program to be feared? Absolutely. I predict they'll win 24-26 games this season and secure a 4-6 seed in the NCAA tournament. From there, anything can happen. The pieces are there—now it's about putting them together at the right time and catching a few breaks along the way. For the first time in several seasons, I genuinely believe Notre Dame basketball is back on the right trajectory, and I can't wait to see how this story unfolds.
