Notre Dame poised for the worst conference season in program’s history
After many decades of independence, Notre Dame joined Big East in 1995-96. It was a difficult adjustment, as the Irish went 4-14 during the first conference schedule. It was that bad in conference play. The 2018-19 Irish managed a 3-15 ACC record. Four years later, the Irish are poised for worse.
The Irish have won just one win in eight ACC games (or 40%) of the conference schedule. If this pace keeps up, they’ll finish 3-17, which would give the program its worst conference winning percentage ever at .150. Given that a second game with Georgia Tech and one with Louisville, the only teams you objectively can say are as bad, if not worse than the Irish, remain on the schedule, that’s not out of the question.
This should have been obvious to the eye test. Other than the Michigan State win, there was no other nonconference win that stood out. There were a few double digit wins for the Irish, but it started with single-digit victories at Radford and Youngstown State. Soon after, a win against the all-powerful Lipscomb followed by a home win of one point. Maybe those raised flags. But how many believed it?
The calls for help increase as the losses mount. Mike Brey To be fired or retire. Frankly, you can’t blame Irish fans for wanting either one. His “get old, stay old” philosophy for this season has backfired. Two NCAA Tournament wins, a group of experienced players and a highly-touted recruit. JJ Starling It should have worked, but it hasn’t.
The worst part is this is happening with the knowledge that the Irish are going to have a lot of unproven talent in next year’s rotation. Starling and Ven-Allen Lubin, no underclassman has played nearly enough for fans to say they’re excited for the 2023-24 season. This group had little chance of success beyond this season. Instead, it’s going out with a whimper.
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what needs to happen to label the rest of the season a success. At the moment, it’s best to avoid the label of program conference futility. This speaks volumes, and it also means that expectations are being disappointed. However, there’s not much else you can do when it’s become almost certain that this year’s Irish will not play beyond the ACC Tournament.
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