Tom Noie is answering readers' Notre Dame basketball questions in a live chat. Join him!

 Live Chat: Talk Notre Dame basketball with Tom Noie(03/14/2013) 
11:58
Tom Noie: 
Greetings from midtown Manhattan, blocks away from the World's Most Famous Arena and the last Big East Tournament for Notre Dame.

The Irish got off to a good start Wednesday against Rutgers. Just when you thought you've seen everything there is to see from this team, Notre Dame rides the offensive hot hands of Pat Connaughton (21 points) and Tom Knight (18 points, nine rebounds) in a 69-61 win.

Notre Dame handled its business like men, something Mike Brey was quick to mention in the locker room afterward. Next up, a payback game of sorts against No. 3 Marquette.

Another late night in New York - tip time will be around 9:45 or so. What better way to spend time before tip than with a nice little Notre Dame hoops - Big East Tournament style.

One question sure to come up - what's wrong with Jack Cooley? The short answer - nothing.

If you have a question or comment, be sure to include your name and hometown. Without further delay, off we go from the big city......
Thursday March 14, 2013 11:58 Tom Noie
12:10
[Comment From Jim in DCJim in DC: ] 
I love Jack Cooley, but....how do the voters give him a nod as 1st team all-Big East, and not give Eric Atkins anything?
Thursday March 14, 2013 12:10 Jim in DC
12:13
Tom Noie: 
Jim:

Jack Cooley was a first-team lock. Otto Porter was a unanimous pick, but Cooley had to be right there behind him. Cooley led the league in double-doubles (19) and was the only guy averaging double figures in points and rebounds p until final weekend when he was joined by his good friend Gorgui Dieng of Louisville.

Cooley's good, but Atkins is just as valuable to what the Irish do. Maybe more so.

You're preaching to the choir on Atkins. I've been trumpeting his cause to get some sort of all-league honor since he was snubbed from the all-rookie team as a freshman.

Atkins seems destined to follow the career path of Tory Jackson, a main guy for four years who never made any all-league team other than the rookie squad.

For what it's worth, I put Atkins on the SBT all-league second team. What he does may go unnoticed by the general population around the league, but not in the Irish locker room.

Thursday March 14, 2013 12:13 Tom Noie
12:14
[Comment From Bonkers in YonkersBonkers in Yonkers: ] 
Tom, we talked before about our friend Snaggles and how he left early during the 5OT Louisville game. Thought you'd like to know that he left early during the St. John's game and missed the fight. Some people just weren't cut out for life on the road. What is his punishment?
Thursday March 14, 2013 12:14 Bonkers in Yonkers
12:16
Tom Noie: 
Bonkers:

SMH. At least the guy's consistent. Punishment? Taking you to dinner twice a week for a month. When's the guy going to learn his lesson?

Of course, I must admit I missed the fight as well, at least how it all started. I watched as Jack Cooley was being taken out of the game on Senior Night and was writing down in my notes that 1:46 remained in the game. Then I look up and see fists flying.

What the heck happened I asked the fans in the front row behind me. One of them popped in saying he couldn't believe I wasn't watching. Um, it was a 28-point game with 1:46 left. No way anyone expected that to unfold.
Thursday March 14, 2013 12:16 Tom Noie
12:16
[Comment From KoreyKorey: ] 
Indianapolis - Intriguing matchups today in the BE Tournament. What is your take on the games? Do you think tonight is a payback game for the Irish against Marquette? After watching them at Marquette I believe they can pull it off. Grant has to be in the game though. He looks lethargic at times.
Thursday March 14, 2013 12:16 Korey
12:18
Tom Noie: 
Korey:

It's easy to say tonight that the Irish guards have to be good for Notr eDame to have a chance - but they were really, really good in the matchup earlier this month in Milwaukee.

Notre Dame needs its four bigs - Jack Cooley, Tom Knight, Zach Auguste and Garrick Sherman - to play to their size. All four were effectively shoved around in the first meeting and were not very good around the rim. That has to improve.

I've got a feeling about tonight that Notre Dame will deliver. You just get a sense there's a whole lot of unfinished business here in Manhattan for the guys in the shamrock shake uniforms.

Thursday March 14, 2013 12:18 Tom Noie
12:18
[Comment From Illinois FoolIllinois Fool: ] 
Which player must play well for the Irish to defeat Marquette tonight? I'd say Cooley especially since he hardly saw the floor in the first game.
Thursday March 14, 2013 12:18 Illinois Fool
12:20
Tom Noie: 
IF:

Cooley and Knight, Knight and Cooley. Sherman and Auguste and.....you get the picture.

I'd also like to see Pat Connaughton build on his effort against Rutgers when he was active and aggressive in looking for his shot. He said afterward that he's done worrying so much about his shot after he misses one or two. He just wants to play.

If Connaughton can stretch the defense again tonight, man does it open up everything else.
Thursday March 14, 2013 12:20 Tom Noie
12:20
[Comment From Victor KuryakisVictor Kuryakis: ] 
If the Irish are eliminated tonight, can Pat Connaughton pitch in San Luis Obispo on Saturday?
Thursday March 14, 2013 12:20 Victor Kuryakis
12:22
Tom Noie: 
Victor:

Only if John Black steals Stefano DiMera's plane. Boy, this one's jumped the tracks in a hurry. LOL
Thursday March 14, 2013 12:22 Tom Noie
12:22
[Comment From JT, DCJT, DC: ] 
Encouraged by the play of Pat and Tom last night. If those two guys are playing with confidence, I think it could really make a difference. Thoughts? Did not see game last night but looked like the Irish were loose and came out to play. Is that right?
Thursday March 14, 2013 12:22 JT, DC
12:24
Tom Noie: 
JT:

Maybe it was the shamrock shake uniforms or the free minds of having gotten through the regular season, but that was the best start the Irish have had away from home in a league game all season.

Usually, Notre Dame is sluggish out of the gate and scrambling to stay out of a double-digit deficit the first eight minutes. Not Wednesday. They got some stops, got out in transition and got some easy ones. It helped build some confidence.

More importantly, the Irish never blinked when the other team made their runs in the second half. Rutges got within five several times, but Notre Dame played like it didn't care. The Irish answered.

Now let's see them do it again. And again.

Thursday March 14, 2013 12:24 Tom Noie
12:28
[Comment From Rich rochesterRich rochester: ] 
Tom, what is up with the first half funks Grant seems to go thru every game?
Thursday March 14, 2013 12:28 Rich rochester
12:30
Tom Noie: 
Rich:

Good question, for which no one seems to have an answer. Grant's been asked about it dozens of times this season, and always has the same answer - gotta be more aggressive looking for his shot, no easing in.....and then he eases in.

Getting into early foul trouble may have curbed his enthusiasm last night. Do it again tonight against Marquette and it's going to be tough to advance.

He's got to keep it simple and not over-think the game so much. Just play. He did that last year and was really good. He's done it in spurts this season. When he overthinks everything, it's tough to watch.
Thursday March 14, 2013 12:30 Tom Noie
12:30
[Comment From David South BendDavid South Bend: ] 
0,12,7,2--points for Cooley in the last 4 games. 1,13,7,9--rebounds in the last 4 games. Something seems off--his body language belies someone who is discouraged. I hope he snaps out of it but to say nothing is wrong seems like wishful thinking.
Thursday March 14, 2013 12:30 David South Bend
12:35
Tom Noie: 
David:

And to say that something's wrong is, well, wrong. Is something missing from his game offensively? Yes. But he did have nine rebounds. I'd be a whole lot more concerned if Cooley had two points and two rebounds.

Mike Brey has said it over and over the last two weeks - this is not an outfit designed to get Cooley low-post touches and scoring opportunities. It's more important for him to defend and rebound. He rebounded well last night, though his post defense left a lot to be desired.

It's too easy for fans to see Cooley not scoring and reason - he's still sick. Something's wrong. Same when Atkins and Grant don't play well. Instant conclusion? They're tired and play too many minutes.

It may have also just reached a point where Cooley's simply tired of the pounding. I saw that happen to Troy Murphy. I saw it happen to Luke Harangody.

Cooley going for only two points is tolerable if Knight is doing what he's doing, if Connaughton is doing what he's doing. This team will go only as far as the guards take them. Cooley's just part of the puzzle. A very important part with what he gives as far as physicality and toughenss.
Thursday March 14, 2013 12:35 Tom Noie
12:36
[Comment From David South BendDavid South Bend: ] 
Loved seeing Connaughton last night--reminded me of the Marquette game last year. He really helps the team when he is shooting like that. And huge kudos to Knight--you'll always get maximum effort from him.
Thursday March 14, 2013 12:36 David South Bend
12:36
Tom Noie: 
Those two deliver that type of effort tonight, and Notre Dame is moving on.
Thursday March 14, 2013 12:36 Tom Noie
12:37
[Comment From WillyWilly: ] 
If I put the seasons win total at 24.5, would you put your money on the over or under?
Thursday March 14, 2013 12:37 Willy
12:37
Tom Noie: 
Willy:

Over. The Irish have one more win in them somewhere, perhaps as early as tonight.
Thursday March 14, 2013 12:37 Tom Noie
12:37
[Comment From Rich rochesterRich rochester: ] 
Tom, before last night, did you feel Knight was hunting his shot enough. I thought he was too passive in that part of his game.
Thursday March 14, 2013 12:37 Rich rochester
12:38
Tom Noie: 
Rich:

Good call. I think he can get that jumper from the foul line or baseline extended on almost every possession. He shoots it with confidence and shoots a high percentage. Let's see some more of that.
Thursday March 14, 2013 12:38 Tom Noie
12:39
[Comment From ZevonZevon: ] 
What kind of turn out are you expecting at MSG tonight? Has the impending implosion of the Big East affected the vibe one way or another?
Thursday March 14, 2013 12:39 Zevon
12:40
Tom Noie: 
Zevon:

The evening sessions at MSG were pretty spirited. Can't talk of the afternoon sessions since I usually spend the afternoons chilling in my deluxe broom closet hotel room.

The fact that this is the end of it all is really going to settle in the next two days. Hope Notre Dame is still around to experience it.
Thursday March 14, 2013 12:40 Tom Noie
12:40
[Comment From Rich rochesterRich rochester: ] 
Tom, Sherman scares me when he replaces Cooley. Just not a factor on the defensive glass. DoesBrey tell him to stick his nose in there. He"s got to be tougher.
Thursday March 14, 2013 12:40 Rich rochester
12:42
Tom Noie: 
Rich:

What's the old saying, You can lead a horse to water......?

That's the deal with Sherman. He was bounced out of the rotation because he wasn't tough enough around the rim, and likely would have stayed on the outside looking in had it not been for the five-overtime game with Louisville.

Maybe it will be different next season, but when he's matched against a long, physical big man, Sherman struggles. He'll show flashes every once in a while but the softness around the rim and the fumbles post touches are enough to drive fans nuts.
Thursday March 14, 2013 12:42 Tom Noie
12:42
[Comment From ralph, glencoe, ILralph, glencoe, IL: ] 
I feel like the biggest key to this team going deep in either tournament is consistent shooting from Pat Connaughton (he needs to do on other nights what he did last night) or for Cam Biedscheid to finally find his outside shot (I am completely surprised he has not found it yet this late in the season with as much playing time as he has had). You mentioned the bigs for tonights game already, but would you agree or disagree that consistent outside shooting would be more important long term?
Thursday March 14, 2013 12:42 ralph, glencoe, IL
12:45
Tom Noie: 
Ralph:

Agree. Absolutely. Having someone consistently connect from 3 - and maybe more importantly, be willing to shoot the 3 after missing one or two - can help spread the floor and opens everything else up for everyone.

That's why Scott Martin was such a loss. He wasn't going to give you 18 points a game, but he could hit a shot on the perimeter. Next time down, he'd swing it to the open man.

Biedscheid's gotta get going, especially since he has the reputation for scoring. Don't know if playing limited minutes weighs on him, but eventually, you have to shake off worrying about your minutes and deliver.
Thursday March 14, 2013 12:45 Tom Noie
12:45
[Comment From David South BendDavid South Bend: ] 
I suppose I did not word my comments carefully enough. I don't care the reason, his play has been subpar the last 4 games for someone that is 1st team All Big East. He has trouble rotating on defense and he isn't effectively finishing at the rim. My opinion is his motor is not running at the same level it did earlier in the year. I don't know why, but my eyes tell me something seems off.
Thursday March 14, 2013 12:45 David South Bend
12:46
Tom Noie: 
David:

As do mine, but when you ask guys if they're OK and they insist they're fine, you've got to take their word for it. But the final stats don't lie.

It's not as obvious as the final days of Scott Martin when it was clear he couldn't compete at the necessary level, but Cooley's got to get cooking.
Thursday March 14, 2013 12:46 Tom Noie
12:46
[Comment From David South BendDavid South Bend: ] 
I also don't think it is as simple as saying the guards have to carry the team. To be sure, it would be great if Grant was consistently the best player for ND on the floor. There are long stretches where that isn't the case. But there have been games this year where the bigs have let ND down defensively (UConn-Ohlander, Marquette--everybody. I think the bigs are just as important as the guards from here on out.
Thursday March 14, 2013 12:46 David South Bend
12:48
Tom Noie: 
True, but it starts with the guards. When they're on, it opens everything else up and keeps the defense on their heels. When the guards are off, that allows the defense to tighten the screws on them and smother them.

As Brey has long said, when you have good guards, you always have a chance.

The key is to have the guards play well and then have everyone else carry their load. Like last night. The guards were OK, but Connaughton and Knight didn't let that stop them from doing something special.
Thursday March 14, 2013 12:48 Tom Noie
12:48
[Comment From David South BendDavid South Bend: ] 
Do you feel like Grant plays good defense? To me, he rarely expends maximum effort at that end of the floor. He doesn't often get down in a defensive position and lcok his guy down. He is athletic and will make some plays, but too often he is chasing his guy instead of staying in front of him. Am I missing something?
Thursday March 14, 2013 12:48 David South Bend
12:48
Tom Noie: 
David:

He still plays token defense found on the AAU circuit. Maybe a possession here, maybe one there.

He can be better in that area.
Thursday March 14, 2013 12:48 Tom Noie
12:49
[Comment From Slide_PieceSlide_Piece: ] 
Great win last night TN. Let's pack our fruit roll ups and PB&J sandwiches again tonight in our lunch pail and get a BIG WIN! Go Irish!
Thursday March 14, 2013 12:49 Slide_Piece
12:49
Tom Noie: 
Slide:

That's all you've got? Come on, my man, you can do better than that. PB&Js. Seriously?
Thursday March 14, 2013 12:49 Tom Noie
12:56
[Comment From Slide_PieceSlide_Piece: ] 
PB&Js twice a week in the heartland, while they eat steak in Manhattan (and deservedly so)
Thursday March 14, 2013 12:56 Slide_Piece
12:56
Tom Noie: 
Slide:

Streak all week....there goes the expense account. Blew that bad boy up the first night here.
Thursday March 14, 2013 12:56 Tom Noie
1:11
[Comment From Rich rochesterRich rochester: ] 
Tom, any chancy you could go on a scouting trip to Sudan or the Congo,et.al. and bring us back one of those 6'10" guys that all other teame seem to come up with?
Thursday March 14, 2013 1:11 Rich rochester
1:12
Tom Noie: 
Rich:

I'll run it by the powers-that-be at the SBT when I get back. If you don't see an ND hoops chat pop up fro couple weeks in the summer, you'll know why. I'll be on scouting assignment.

Thursday March 14, 2013 1:12 Tom Noie
1:13
[Comment From Rich rochesterRich rochester: ] 
Tom, my second straight fantasy question; If Mike Brey got blown away with an offer from the NBA, would he be enticed to make the move?
Thursday March 14, 2013 1:13 Rich rochester
1:15
Tom Noie: 
Rich:

You can never say never in this business. No one ever thought Tom Crean would leave Marquette. Gone. Nobody every thought Jim Larranaga would leave George Mason. Gone.

All coaches believe they have one more move in them if everything falls just right.. Brey's not the exception. He's not exactly in the market for another job after last summer's 10-year extension, but you never know.
Thursday March 14, 2013 1:15 Tom Noie
1:20
[Comment From Rich rochesterRich rochester: ] 
Thanks for your responses tom, you are very gracious. How soon will Mike Brey get V.J. Beachem on a weight program. He's got a very thin frame (ala Cam), and I think he could help if he put a little junk in the trunk. Also, cincy is giving G-town all thay can handle.
Thursday March 14, 2013 1:20 Rich rochester
1:25
Tom Noie: 
Rich:

I'd expect the conditioning program would arrive in V.J. Beachem's mailbox as soon as this college basketball season ends, if not sooner. He needs to add some weight and muscle, but also will have the time to do so.

The Irish are stacked on the perimeter next season, so there's no reason to rush him.
Thursday March 14, 2013 1:25 Tom Noie
1:25
[Comment From Rich rochesterRich rochester: ] 
Welcome to the Tom and Rich show. Are you of the opinion that the move to yhe ACC will help our recruiting? Was it a factor for Jackson?
Thursday March 14, 2013 1:25 Rich rochester
1:26
Tom Noie: 
Rich:

Everyone else must be intimidated by our back-and-forth. We'll carry this one nonetheless.

Too early to tell on the ACC in terms of recruiting. Demetrius Jackson insists the move to the ACC was not a deciding factor, but it was a factor. Jackson likely was leaning hard to Notre Dame. The fact that he'll get to play against Duke and Carolina might have sealed it for him.

Sure didn't hurt.

Your turn! LOL
Thursday March 14, 2013 1:26 Tom Noie
1:32
[Comment From Rich rochesterRich rochester: ] 
What is the highest possible seed you see us getting in the "Big Dance". I'm guessing a 4 if we win in N.Y.
Thursday March 14, 2013 1:32 Rich rochester
1:34
Tom Noie: 
Rich:

Four might be a little lofty. I'd say anywhere from 5 to 7, with a 7 likely.

Remember, last year's team went 13-5 and finished third in the league and was given a No. 7 seed. I think the rest of the field is a little too weak to slip to an 8 or 9, but you never know how these conference tourneys will shake out.

I'll go with a 7.
Thursday March 14, 2013 1:34 Tom Noie
1:34
[Comment From PhilPhil: ] 
Mike Brey get a call from the NBA? LOL, that Rich is a character. What seed do you see ND getting in the tourney? Lunardi has us as a 7, which likely means 2 and done at best? Any way we move to a 6 where we have a better chance to make Sweet 16?
Thursday March 14, 2013 1:34 Phil
1:34
Tom Noie: 
See above.
Thursday March 14, 2013 1:34 Tom Noie
1:34
[Comment From Rich rochesterRich rochester: ] 
Where the hell did everybody go?
Thursday March 14, 2013 1:34 Rich rochester
1:35
Tom Noie: 
Rich:

Maybe they're waiting for the latest news on Gunner Kiel.........lol
Thursday March 14, 2013 1:35 Tom Noie
1:38
[Comment From PhilPhil: ] 
Or they are checking bracketology to see who the ND women are going to play.
Thursday March 14, 2013 1:38 Phil
1:38
Tom Noie: 
Could be.
Thursday March 14, 2013 1:38 Tom Noie
1:40
[Comment From TomTom: ] 
Any chance we see more minutes out of Cam tonight so as not overload minutes on Atkins and Grant in case ND does make a deep run in the BE tourney?
Thursday March 14, 2013 1:40 Tom
1:41
Tom Noie: 
Tom:

Cameron Biedscheid has to make the most of any minutes he gets - make a shot and don't be a defensive liability. That wasn't the case last night which is why he didn't see more run.

Biedscheid's got to get going to take some of the 3-point pressure off Pat Connaughton.

Thursday March 14, 2013 1:41 Tom Noie
1:44
[Comment From TomTom: ] 
The essence of my question is the fact that ND cannot win the tourney with Atkins and Grant playing basically 160 minutes in 4 days. Do you disagree? I know other options aren't as good, but at some point these 2 are going to lose their legs if they don't get some rest.
Thursday March 14, 2013 1:44 Tom
1:45
Tom Noie: 
Tom:

There's no rest in sight. They're not getting more than a few minutes here or there. They can rest in the spring.

Thursday March 14, 2013 1:45 Tom Noie
1:50
[Comment From Bryan - LogansportBryan - Logansport: ] 
I had to work the night of the St. John's game and only saw the 2nd half - which was a good thing. I happened to see the in the in-game boxscore that Austin Burgett got in during the 1st half and made a couple free throws. I'm not sure if that was a typo or not - since I didn't notice him getting in the 2nd half. How did he get some PT - someone lose a contact or something and comeout for a minute? Will he be a viable option next season?
Thursday March 14, 2013 1:50 Bryan - Logansport
1:51
Tom Noie: 
Bryan:

Right now, there's no room for Austin Burgett in the rotation. That's not to say there's never going to be room for him. Mike Brey sees Burgett becoming a a stretch-4 man in the mold of Rob Kurz, Tim Abromaitis and Scott Martin.

Keep the faith in No. 20. You may be surprised. He's going to be good, but he also needs time to develop his game.
Thursday March 14, 2013 1:51 Tom Noie
1:53
[Comment From David South BendDavid South Bend: ] 
What has the biggest 1) pleasant surprise; and 2) biggest disappointment this year? Mine: 1) Knight stepping up and giving meaningful minutes; 2) Biedscheid--perhaps unfair, but given his recruiting ranking I thought we'd see more (consistently) from him.
Thursday March 14, 2013 1:53 David South Bend
1:55
Tom Noie: 
David:

Hard not to go with Knight as a surprise - though what I've seen from him this year is a lot of the stuff I'd see in the summer. Figure if he had a chance, he might help.

Don't want to go with disappointments as much as frustrations. Hard to say Biedscheid is a disappointment because he's a freshman who wasn't ready-made per se to play college hoops.

Most frustrating? Jerian Grant. The kid is such a talent but is so inconsistent. He's unstoppable for stretches, invisible for others. Maybe we're too critical of his game but he can be so good.
Thursday March 14, 2013 1:55 Tom Noie
1:58
[Comment From Bryan - LogansportBryan - Logansport: ] 
My biggest disapointment is Martin getting hurt. Just feel bad for the guy. Not too mention his ability to do the small things. Is coaching in his future?
Thursday March 14, 2013 1:58 Bryan - Logansport
1:58
Tom Noie: 
Bryan:

Scott Martin may play one year just for closure and may eventually get into coaching. He's a guy Mike Brey would definitely look to get back on his bench one day.
Thursday March 14, 2013 1:58 Tom Noie
1:58
[Comment From SeanSean: ] 
Do you see D Jackson getting any clock next year or is Brey going to do what he did this year and go strictly Grant and Atkins?
Thursday March 14, 2013 1:58 Sean
1:59
Tom Noie: 
Sean:

Are you serious? Sit a McDonald's All-American?

Demetrius Jackson likely will step into a role similar to Eric Atkins as a freshman. Atkins didn't start, but he played 25.4 minutes a game and led the league in assist/turnover ratio.

Jackson's too good and too needed not to be a key piece.
Thursday March 14, 2013 1:59 Tom Noie
2:01
[Comment From Rich rochesterRich rochester: ] 
Tom, no offense to Scott Martin, but injury or not, I think we are a better team with him sitting right where he is. We had to get another big in there to take the load of Cooley and Brey was just to faithful to him with very mixed results.
Thursday March 14, 2013 2:01 Rich rochester
2:03
Tom Noie: 
Rich:

Too harsh. This team was 2-0 in the league and cooking after that Cincinnati win when Martin was never the same. He was having his best season and shooting the highest percentage - 54 percent - from 3 in the league. It would have been interesting to see how far this team would have taken it in the mix.

Last year, I would have said sit him. This year, you could see his value. You could see how the five starters really worked as one in that Cincinnati game. You looked forward to seeing what the rest of the league schedule had in store.

And then it was all gone.
Thursday March 14, 2013 2:03 Tom Noie
2:05
[Comment From Rich rochesterRich rochester: ] 
Now I feel bad. Thanks Tom.
Thursday March 14, 2013 2:05 Rich rochester
2:05
Tom Noie: 
Sorry
Thursday March 14, 2013 2:05 Tom Noie
2:09
Tom Noie: 
Thanks to all who participated in today's chat. Our next chat will be TBD based on next week's NCAA tournament schedule. Stay tuned. Have a great day.
Thursday March 14, 2013 2:09 Tom Noie
2:10