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Chat Transcript: Talk Notre Dame basketball with Tom Noie

2:00 pm, July 11, 2012

Tom Noie answered readers' Notre Dame basketball questions in a live chat. Read the transcript.

 Live Chat: Talk Notre Dame basketball with Tom Noie(07/11/2012) 
11:55
Tom Noie: 
Three hot and steamy and sizzling weeks have passed (winter anyone?) since the last Notre Dame men's basketball hoops chat. But we're back and - hopefully - better than ever as July rolls toward the midway point.

It may be the middle of summer, but there's never any shortage of basketball doings. Thanks to new NCAA rules, which coach Mike Brey believes are the best in the game's last 20 years, the Irish men's basketball team has practiced twice already this month.

Notre Dame worked out for about 75 minutes Tuesday night at the Rolfs Activities Center on campus. The Irish will work out again each of the next two Tuesdays before summer school ends.

Today, Brey and his staff hit the road for the first of three five-day recruiting segments.

Time to talk Irish hoops. Just drop your name and hometown with your question or comment.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 11:55 Tom Noie
11:57
Tom Noie: 
A bit of basketball business to touch on before we get started.

The Big East released its home and away and repeat opponents for each school for the 2012-13 season while the SBT hoops chat was on hiatus.

Notre Dame will have three repeat opponents this year after the league lost one team (West Virginia to the Big 12) since the end of last season. Notre Dame will have home and away games against Cincinnati, DePaul, Louisville and St. John's.

Home games only are against Connecticut, Georgetown, Rutgers, Seton Hall and Villanova. Road games only against Marquette, Pittsburgh, Providence, South Florida and Syracuse.

Thoughts?
Wednesday July 11, 2012 11:57 Tom Noie
12:12
Tom Noie: 
Learned of some news this morning that Notre Dame power forward Garrick Sherman recently underwent arthroscopic knee surgery to clean out some debris that had been causing him some discomfort.

Sherman will not practice the rest of the month but should be good to go by the time preseason practice arrives when players return for the start of school in late August.

Sherman is still going to be a key guy for the Irish this season. He hasn't played a minute since leaving Michigan State but he has the something coach Mike Brey relishes - age.

Sherman will be 23 this season. You can't teach age.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:12 Tom Noie
12:15
[Comment From Jeff - Fort WayneJeff - Fort Wayne: ] 
Any word on what Abro is going to do this summer?
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:15 Jeff - Fort Wayne
12:18
Tom Noie: 
Jeff:

Tim Abromaitis is working out/rehabilitating his right knee in Indianapolis and has plans to go to Europe this season. Over there, he can regain some of the strength in his leg, and get some confidence back in his game. He does plan on returning to the U.S. next spring hopefully of sound mind and body, when he can make a run at a possible NBA summer-league roster spot.

Abromaitis is a highly-coveted prospect in Europe. A former Irish player (can't say yet which one) actually called the SBT for a scouting report on Abromaitis. His team over in Europe had interest in signing him.

Be it playing basketball or going into private business, Abromaitis is going to be a success. One of the good guys this program has produced.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:18 Tom Noie
12:19
[Comment From mark here in indianamark here in indiana: ] 
hey tom can you put a list of recruiting that notre dame is looking at you use too in the paper. thanks mark
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:19 mark here in indiana
12:23
Tom Noie: 
Mark:

Thanks for the note. Might be a bit early for that - the recruiting period for the Irish coaches start today. Mike Brey will just start looking at prospects who will be juniors in high school in the fall. That list of prospects will be narrowed down next month.

As far as seniors - that list is easy - Notre Dame is looking hard at Demetrius Jackson and Kyle Washington. Pair those two with the current commitments of soon-to-be seniors V.J. Beachem and Steve Vasturia and Brey would call it a successful day.

There also may be a senior or two that grabs the Irish staff's attention in the next few weeks, and they spend very little time recruiting him before getting a commitment - just as Notre Dame did with a Pat Connaughton and a Tory Jackson.

With the way the Irish roster is set up the next two years, the staff has the luxury of being a little more selective.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:23 Tom Noie
12:23
[Comment From Slide_PieceSlide_Piece: ] 
I received my Sports Illustrated "Where are they Now" issues last week. How is the idea for an ND Men's Basketball "WATN" running series taking shape? Can we move Kevin Ellery up to the front of the field? I'd be more than happy to help you take on this ambitious project.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:23 Slide_Piece
12:25
Tom Noie: 
Slide:

Great idea, but one that may be back-burned for a bit. I have quite a bit of vacation time, and several other Tribune duties unrelated to basketball, that may take precedence between now and the start of something around Michiana called football season.

But I can see a "Where are They Now" series evolving during the season - especially with so much donwtime in airports and hotel during my Big East travels.

The names have been stored away from our last chat. Now it's all about finding some time to knock them out. Keep the names coming.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:25 Tom Noie
12:25
[Comment From John from OregonJohn from Oregon: ] 
It seems that Brey has landed a better class of athlete the past couple of years with more four-star guys instead of setting for the three-star players. Average basketball recruiting, in my opinion, has been probably the biggest reason for the ceiling on the program. It's really nice to see some highly sought after recruits not just considering ND, but actually committing. Is there any particular reason for this turnaround?
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:25 John from Oregon
12:29
Tom Noie: 
John:

Good to have you join us early in the morning out west. A particular reason? Not really. Just a whole lot of hard work by the coaching staff to stay on the "difference-maker" type of guys and refusing to take no for an answer.

Take Zach Auguste, currently on campus. The freshman initially eliminated Notre Dame from a pretty lengthy wish list, but the Irish coaches wouldn't accept that. They kept after him, coaxed a visit and Auguste committed before returning home.

He's going to get some minutes next year.

That and sustained success also helps. Going to three-straight NCAA tournaments (bad losses aside) and being considered one of the top teams in the Big East has been a boost.

Notre Dame's not going to ever get its pick of McDonald's All-Americans. But if the Irish coaches can identify right "fits" early in the process, and for the most part they have, recruiting can be even better.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:29 Tom Noie
12:29
[Comment From Mike (Chicago)Mike (Chicago): ] 
So I will bite on your tweet from this morning. Who are the 6 guys wearing the white (starter) jerseys?
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:29 Mike (Chicago)
12:32
Tom Noie: 
Mike:

Sharp guy over there in Chi-town.

As part of the new NCAA rules, college basketball teams now are allowed to practice two hours a week during the time the players are in summer school. Notre Dame has had two practices to date - Tuesday's late-night workout ran about 75 minutes.

The Irish do a little of everything - drill work, skill development, 5-on-0 and 5-on-5. Mike Brey hopes to bring officials in for a scrimmage at the end of summer school (hopefully none of them will call lane violations).

Notre Dame is working with six guys in white (starters) jersies. Guards Eric Atkins and Jerian Grant, forwards Pat Connaughton and Scott Martin and big men Jack Cooley and........

Tom Knight.

If Sherman did not have his knee scoped and was able to participate, Knight still would have been in a white jersey. Want and early candidate to have a surprise season in 2012-13? As Jack Nolan said last week in our talk on WSBT's Weekday Sportsbeat, keep an eye on Tom Knight.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:32 Tom Noie
12:33
[Comment From John from OregonJohn from Oregon: ] 
One last question: In Brey's first couple of years, he made a comment that expectations shouldn't be that ND can make the NCAA tourney every year without fail. That has always rubbed me the wrong way, but now it appears that Brey and Swarbrick both have stated that the program is ready to make a long post-season run, even going so far as to mentioning Big East and NCAA championships. It no longer seems that just making the tourney is the goal. Am I reading this correctly? Have the expectations for the program been raised fairly dramatically from just a few years ago? I can't recall any other time when the ND basketball program has had such high expectations--not only for this coming year, but for years to come. Thanks for the chat!
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:33 John from Oregon
12:38
Tom Noie: 
John:

Good observation. Brey didn't believe the expectations at the start of his tenure should have been getting to the NCAA tournament every year because there were so many other issues that needed to be addressed.

Brey was the third coach in as many years. There was zero stability and a whole lot of distrust in the program those early years. Once Brey fixed that, Notre Dame still was relatively adrift without a direction in the Big East.

Forget getting to the NCAA tournament, what was Notre Dame's identity in its own league? The Irish didn't have one after spending the better part of the 1990s drowning in the obscurity of independence/Big East stepchild.

Once Notre Dame established its league identity and backed it up with a string of successful seasons, only then could fans expect to go to the NCAA tournament.

Now look at the program - wins 20 games every year, competes in what has long been, but soon will not be, the nation's best and toughest conferences. Goes to the NCAA tournament. Been there, done that.

The foundation is now solid. Coaching staff, recruiting, program philosophy, arena, players who are really good and get better. Now it's time to turn up the proverbial heat.

Everything is there to go further than the first weekend of the NCAA tournament. To get to the Sweet 16, make a run at an Elite Eight. It's time to deliver.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:38 Tom Noie
12:38
[Comment From mike from daytonmike from dayton: ] 
hi tom why do we need a new practice facility. the pit was ben h. favorite place.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:38 mike from dayton
12:40
Tom Noie: 
Mike:

You vault to the top of the chat list because of your hometown. Ah, do I miss Dayton and UD. But I digress.

Does Notre Dame need a new practice facility? Yes, yes and yes.

The Pit was OK in the 1970s and 80s, but a stand-along facility built in the back parking lot of Purcell Pavilion. A stand-alone practice facility where players have access at all hours, underscores that Notre Dame is just as serious about its basketball programs as it is about football.

Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:40 Tom Noie
12:40
[Comment From bill from stevensville, mbill from stevensville, m: ] 
with the addition of some big post players, is it possible we may see some power basketball from ND?
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:40 bill from stevensville, m
12:43
Tom Noie: 
Bill:

Great to hear from you. It's possible that the Irish will play a variety of ways next season - they can go small and quick, big and bulky, a combination of both. They might slow it down or speed tempo and score in the 70s and 80s.

I don't know how much Knight was a factor in the offseason plans. If he proves worthy of quality minutes, imagine playing Cooley, Knight and Sherman all that the same time coupled with the speed and quickness of Atkins and Grant. Or Grant and Connaughton. Or Atkins and Biedscheid.

There are plenty of potential mix-and-match pieces this coming season.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:43 Tom Noie
12:43
[Comment From bill from stevensville, mbill from stevensville, m: ] 
you awake?
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:43 bill from stevensville, m
12:43
Tom Noie: 
Bright-eyed and busy-tailed and ready to talk hoops all afternoon......can you guys keep up?
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:43 Tom Noie
12:43
[Comment From Michael from OrlandoMichael from Orlando: ] 
Any Demetrius Jackson update?
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:43 Michael from Orlando
12:46
Tom Noie: 
Michael:

What would a Notre Dame hoops chat be with a question about Demetrius Jackson?

The senior-to-be at Mishawaka Marian High School recently attended an all-star camp in Virginia. It was the first time he's been away from Michiana and was a little homesick leaving for five days. It also was the first time he's ever been on an airplane.

Could those tea leaves play into the favor of Notre Dame? We'll see.

Jackson worked out a couple times with the Irish earlier this month. He was invited to the Deron Williams summer camp, but surprisingly declined. He's now off on the AAU circuit and appears no closer to a decision than he was last summer, last fall, last winter and this past spring.

So......stay tuned.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:46 Tom Noie
12:55
Tom Noie: 
For those of you who may have fallen off your seat following the Tom Knight comment, just remember that no one - NO ONE - saw last season coming from Jack Cooley. Following two years of playing a minimal role,. Cooley became a second team All-Big East selection and the league's most improved player.

The common thread between Cooley and Knight? Cooley finally decided before the start of last season to get serious, really serious, about the game. No longer was it OK for him to be serious about playing three or four days a week. He had to bring it every day.

Knight may have arrived at a similar crossroads, especially with Garrick Sherman in the mix. Knight may have realized it's now or never. Take a step forward and maybe it's to Notre Dame's advantage, and his, for Knight to return for his fifth year in 2013-14.

Continue to tread water as a guy who is OK and Knight may graduate and leave next spring with a year of eligibility in his hip pocket.

The conclusion? Let's wait and see how/if Knight develops, but there's too much talent there for him to continue to be average.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:55 Tom Noie
12:55
[Comment From Jack From GrangerJack From Granger: ] 
I have Brey breaking Diggers total number of wins (393) in six years. Do you agree?
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:55 Jack From Granger
12:57
Tom Noie: 
Jack:

If your math is correct (mine, you can never be so sure). There's no reason to think the Irish can't average at least 22-24 wins a year for the next decade. This is the course the program is traveling, so why not?

Digger still will point to all of his wins over top-ranked teams and the 1978 Final Four.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:57 Tom Noie
1:13
[Comment From GrouchGrouch: ] 
Early take on the ND rotation? Who among Biedscheid, Auguste and Sherman takes the most minutes (assuming health)? Any palns for a Red Shirt?
Wednesday July 11, 2012 1:13 Grouch
1:16
Tom Noie: 
Grouch:

Best handle of the day, but the day's not over yet. The starting five is easy - Eric Atkins, Jerian Grant, Pat Connaughton, Scott Martin and Jack Cooley. The sixth/seventh/eighth/ninth man may change from week to week and even game to game with any combination of Garrick Sherman, Tom Knight, Zach Auguste and Cameron Biedscheid.

Mike Brey has long believed that Auguste and Biedscheid are the most ready to help this team today and their first month in summer school has reinforced that. Where does that leave Austin Burgett and Eric Katenda?

Remains to be determined. If everyone stays healthy, maybe it's best they take the slow track. If injuries arise, maybe one or both work their way into the mix.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 1:16 Tom Noie
1:17
[Comment From GrouchGrouch: ] 
How does Connaughton look? He's probably the returning starter with the weakest grip on a starting gig - any chance Biedscheid steals it away?
Wednesday July 11, 2012 1:17 Grouch
1:20
Tom Noie: 
Grouch:

Know this about Connaughton - he's not going to give anything up without a whole lot of fight. You could see this time last year that he was going to contribute. He just did too much good stuff to be a down-the-line guy.

Connaughton's a guy who knows his role - defend, rebound, hit a shot, rebound, get out in transition, rebound. Biedscheid is more of a natural scorer who also will need time to adjust to the game - and understand the importance of rebounding.

I watched Connaughton play one pickup game last month when he couldn't buy a bucket for a stretch. I wondered if his legs were dead after having played baseball. Then he ran off a string of five, six 3-pointers. The guy just keeps battling.

Because of that, he'll always have a place in the program.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 1:20 Tom Noie
1:21
[Comment From GrouchGrouch: ] 
Sigh.... Joey Brooks. Seems like such a good kid... think he could help the football team as a TE :-)
Wednesday July 11, 2012 1:21 Grouch
1:22
Tom Noie: 
Grouch:

Not so fast, my man. Joey Brooks is going to have an important place in the program, and to an extent, already does during practices. To find out how, stay tuned to the SBT.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 1:22 Tom Noie
1:23
[Comment From GrouchGrouch: ] 
Great tease - you forgot to add a link to subscribe to the SBT!!!!
Wednesday July 11, 2012 1:23 Grouch
1:24
Tom Noie: 
Good point....just go to www.southbendtribune.com. Just don't tell them you know me.....they may charge you double.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 1:24 Tom Noie
1:31
[Comment From GrouchGrouch: ] 
Where do you project Auguste? Is he thick enough to hang on the post in BE play?
Wednesday July 11, 2012 1:31 Grouch
1:33
Tom Noie: 
Like the other freshman, he's got to get stronger, and then will learn a lesson or two in what it's like to be a post player in the Big East. He'll contribute and will have the luxury of learning behind Cooley, who's going to make a run at first team All-Big East as a senior.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 1:33 Tom Noie
1:34
[Comment From SimpsonSimpson: ] 
There is talk around Demtruis Jackson's AAU team that one concern that DJ has with the Irish is being in the starting 5. He understands that he will not start has a true freshman with Atkins and Grant in the backcourt. BUT someone has told him that during his 2nd season (2014-15) that Grant will start at point, Cam at the 2 and Pat C at the 3. Have you heard any talk about Grant playing more point in the years to come?
Wednesday July 11, 2012 1:34 Simpson
1:39
Tom Noie: 
Simpson:

Don't believe the hype, and Jackson shouldn't either. I disagree that any hint of what it would look like when he's a freshman has kept Jackson from committing.

Mike Brey and his staff have rarely, if ever, projected to any prospect what the starting lineup would be like when a kid is a sophomore. Grant and Jackson may be a better backcourt than Atkins and Grant, who are really good together.

Before he even plays a game at Notre Dame,. Cameron Biedscheid is already 6-7. He's probably not done growing. A 6-8 or 6-9 2-guard? Not likely.

Grant can play point, true. But his future after Notre Dame may be at the off-guard spot as someone who can score and slash and shoot but also handle.


Wednesday July 11, 2012 1:39 Tom Noie
1:39
[Comment From GrouchGrouch: ] 
So, Auguste stays at the 4? He just seems a little different than what we are used to seeing from ND at that spot. I don't know he is a "step out and bury a 3" type, but he is more athletic than the usual stable of bigs. Seems like an odd fit....
Wednesday July 11, 2012 1:39 Grouch
1:41
Tom Noie: 
Grouch:

First lesson learned when covering a Mike Brey team - he has very little use for numbers - this guy is a 1, that guy's a 2, he's a 3, no a 4, maybe a 5.

Mike Brey likes basketball players, regardless of position. Auguste can step out and shoot it or go inside. That versatility could come in handy his second year with Sherman and possibly Knight still in the mix along the front line.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 1:41 Tom Noie
1:41
[Comment From TeddyTeddy: ] 
I agree with you on Tom Knight. That guy has good feet and has an above average vertical jump. I see him playing more minutes than Auguste this year and if he continues to improve, I think he could average 8 boards per game his 5th year. Do you see 8 boards a night in Knights future?
Wednesday July 11, 2012 1:41 Teddy
1:43
Tom Noie: 
Teddy:

Why not? He's got the size and the athleticism. Now it's time to put it all together. Knight was really good toward the end of last year and was a key in the Xavier game.

Again, no one saw Jack Cooley ripping off that run of double-doubles last season. Guys in the program tend to get better as they get into junior and senior seasons.

No reason to think that Knight, who hasn't yet tapped his true potential, can't do the same.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 1:43 Tom Noie
2:02
Tom Noie: 
Another quiet day for 2011 Big East player of the year Ben Hansbrough in the Orlando Pro Summer League.

Playing point guard for the Indiana Pacers, Hansbrough had six points, no rebounds and no assists in 11:25 minutes. The Pacers lost to the Celtics, 85-77.

Hansbrough did finish with a plus/minus rating of +10.

Former Irish small forward Carleton Scott plays at 3 p.m. as a member of the Brooklyn Nets. Scott has had an intriguing couple of days in Orlando for Nets GM Billy King.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 2:02 Tom Noie
2:03
Tom Noie: 
Only one other former Irish player - forward Rob Kurz - is on an NBA summer league squad. Kurz is playing for Sacramento, which opens play Friday in Las Vegas.

Wednesday July 11, 2012 2:03 Tom Noie
2:12
[Comment From BrooksFan-ChicagoBrooksFan-Chicago: ] 
Looking forward to your article on Joey Brooks, and I hope he can find a good niche/role on the team in whatever minutes he gets. Question, we all know MB and Missy got the extended deals. Do they have agents that handle these negotiations, or are they pretty much dealing with Jack directly?
Wednesday July 11, 2012 2:12 BrooksFan-Chicago
2:14
Tom Noie: 
Brooks:

Hate to disappoint you, but I won't have anything specifically with Joey Brooks - just a slice of my main story of how the Irish are utilizing the new NCAA rules that allow them to practice.

Mike Brey does have an agent but much of the framework of his 10-year deal was discussed between Brey and Jack Swarbrick. Not sure about women's coach Muffet McGraw.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 2:14 Tom Noie
2:17
[Comment From BrooksFan-ChicagoBrooksFan-Chicago: ] 
Not a disappointment Tom, looking forward to your stories in any event. I still think Brooks can play a valuable role defensively even in some limited minutes..
Wednesday July 11, 2012 2:17 BrooksFan-Chicago
2:18
Tom Noie: 
Brooks:

It's safe to say that Joey Brooks' greatest contributions to this team going forward may be behind the scenes - in the locker room, on the practice floor - in helping the young guys understand what it takes to be a part of the program.

Wednesday July 11, 2012 2:18 Tom Noie
2:21
[Comment From BrooksFan-ChicagoBrooksFan-Chicago: ] 
Next question, actually more of a philosophical one. Let's say ND gats the practice facility, and also becomes a consitent top 15 team, with runs into the second weekend of the NCAA's every other year, or every third year. How much higher do the bball revenues go? Let's assume that the ND Ath Dept runs a 20 MM surplus each year, which gets turned over to the general fund. Would a higher ranked, better tourney program move the needle revenue-wise. In other words, if bball revenue is profitable by a million per year, is there room to, for example, double that if ND takes the next step?
Wednesday July 11, 2012 2:21 BrooksFan-Chicago
2:25
Tom Noie: 
Brooks:

There's a reason why I'm a writer and not an accountant when it comes to crunching all the numbers and projecting revenues against operating costs, etc.

From my vantage point, one of an outsider, I would say the ability for Notre Dame to maximize revenue of its men's basketball program is severely limited. The Irish play in what is currently the second-smallest arena in the Big East. Only the RAC at Rutgers seats fewer (6,000) than Purcell Pavilion (9,149).

There's only so much money the Irish can make off ticket sales. And a good bulk of the annual operating costs go into the amount of money needed to charter flights for away games.

But as long as you have the football program, which makes money faster than you can spell Brian Kelly, it's manageable.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 2:25 Tom Noie
2:27
[Comment From mike from daytonmike from dayton: ] 
tom i do not see knight helping much this year. maybe 8 rebounds in 2 games. better chance lance in cinny and darren in south bend agreeing on nl all star manager.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 2:27 mike from dayton
2:28
Tom Noie: 
Mike:

Perhaps, but a whole lot of people thought the same of Jack Cooley at the start of last season, which saw Cooley become a second team all-league guy. Is Knight headed for a similar leap? Probably not, but as long as he takes a big step, it's something to build on for the following year and gives the coaching staff another option in an area (bigs) where there are plenty.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 2:28 Tom Noie
2:32
[Comment From BrooksFan-ChicagoBrooksFan-Chicago: ] 
Tom, backa bit to my prior thoughts. I guess that circles back to this practice faciilty issue. If the program, as currently run, throws off some profit, and that profit is likely to stay about the same, or only a bit more, if we keep the program on auto-pilot, perhaps the strong will to get that practice facility up comes up short..
Wednesday July 11, 2012 2:32 BrooksFan-Chicago
2:34
Tom Noie: 
Brooks:

Nope. Everyone involved - Mike Brey, Muffet McGraw, Jack Swarbrick and even President John Jenkins, C.S.C. believe a stand-along practice facility is needed. Not needed in terms of winning national championships or guaranteeing Final Fours but needed just to keep pace with what other schools are doing.

The school took a serious step by renovating the arena. The next step is a practice facility. The facility doesn't guarantee any extra revenue, it just helps Nore Dame convince recruits, and current players, it's serious about basketball as schools that have one.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 2:34 Tom Noie
2:37
[Comment From BrooksFan-ChicagoBrooksFan-Chicago: ] 
OK, thanks, now all I need to do is hit the PowerBall so I can fund it. I will include a stipulation that you ( and only you) are allowed to attend three practices per week.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 2:37 BrooksFan-Chicago
2:38
Tom Noie: 
Brooks:

Forget that....stipulate that if you hit the PowerBall, I can get a fraction - just a fraction - of those funds. Deal?

Seeing practice is not THAT important.....ha!
Wednesday July 11, 2012 2:38 Tom Noie
2:40
[Comment From BrooksFan-ChicagoBrooksFan-Chicago: ] 
Ok, deal !!
Wednesday July 11, 2012 2:40 BrooksFan-Chicago
2:41
Tom Noie: 
Done. And on that note, it's time to call it a chat day. the SBT chat goes back on vacation next week and possibly the week after that. Stay tuned to the SBT website to see when we'll return.

If you have a question or comment that cannot wait, drop me a note at tnoie@schurz.com" target="_blank" >tnoie@schurz.com. Thanks. Take care.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 2:41 Tom Noie
2:41
 

 
 
 



Tom Noie answered readers' Notre Dame basketball questions in a live chat. Read the transcript.


Tom Noie answered readers' Notre Dame basketball questions in a live chat. Read the transcript.

 Live Chat: Talk Notre Dame basketball with Tom Noie(07/11/2012) 
11:55
Tom Noie: 
Three hot and steamy and sizzling weeks have passed (winter anyone?) since the last Notre Dame men's basketball hoops chat. But we're back and - hopefully - better than ever as July rolls toward the midway point.

It may be the middle of summer, but there's never any shortage of basketball doings. Thanks to new NCAA rules, which coach Mike Brey believes are the best in the game's last 20 years, the Irish men's basketball team has practiced twice already this month.

Notre Dame worked out for about 75 minutes Tuesday night at the Rolfs Activities Center on campus. The Irish will work out again each of the next two Tuesdays before summer school ends.

Today, Brey and his staff hit the road for the first of three five-day recruiting segments.

Time to talk Irish hoops. Just drop your name and hometown with your question or comment.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 11:55 Tom Noie
11:57
Tom Noie: 
A bit of basketball business to touch on before we get started.

The Big East released its home and away and repeat opponents for each school for the 2012-13 season while the SBT hoops chat was on hiatus.

Notre Dame will have three repeat opponents this year after the league lost one team (West Virginia to the Big 12) since the end of last season. Notre Dame will have home and away games against Cincinnati, DePaul, Louisville and St. John's.

Home games only are against Connecticut, Georgetown, Rutgers, Seton Hall and Villanova. Road games only against Marquette, Pittsburgh, Providence, South Florida and Syracuse.

Thoughts?
Wednesday July 11, 2012 11:57 Tom Noie
12:12
Tom Noie: 
Learned of some news this morning that Notre Dame power forward Garrick Sherman recently underwent arthroscopic knee surgery to clean out some debris that had been causing him some discomfort.

Sherman will not practice the rest of the month but should be good to go by the time preseason practice arrives when players return for the start of school in late August.

Sherman is still going to be a key guy for the Irish this season. He hasn't played a minute since leaving Michigan State but he has the something coach Mike Brey relishes - age.

Sherman will be 23 this season. You can't teach age.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:12 Tom Noie
12:15
[Comment From Jeff - Fort WayneJeff - Fort Wayne: ] 
Any word on what Abro is going to do this summer?
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:15 Jeff - Fort Wayne
12:18
Tom Noie: 
Jeff:

Tim Abromaitis is working out/rehabilitating his right knee in Indianapolis and has plans to go to Europe this season. Over there, he can regain some of the strength in his leg, and get some confidence back in his game. He does plan on returning to the U.S. next spring hopefully of sound mind and body, when he can make a run at a possible NBA summer-league roster spot.

Abromaitis is a highly-coveted prospect in Europe. A former Irish player (can't say yet which one) actually called the SBT for a scouting report on Abromaitis. His team over in Europe had interest in signing him.

Be it playing basketball or going into private business, Abromaitis is going to be a success. One of the good guys this program has produced.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:18 Tom Noie
12:19
[Comment From mark here in indianamark here in indiana: ] 
hey tom can you put a list of recruiting that notre dame is looking at you use too in the paper. thanks mark
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:19 mark here in indiana
12:23
Tom Noie: 
Mark:

Thanks for the note. Might be a bit early for that - the recruiting period for the Irish coaches start today. Mike Brey will just start looking at prospects who will be juniors in high school in the fall. That list of prospects will be narrowed down next month.

As far as seniors - that list is easy - Notre Dame is looking hard at Demetrius Jackson and Kyle Washington. Pair those two with the current commitments of soon-to-be seniors V.J. Beachem and Steve Vasturia and Brey would call it a successful day.

There also may be a senior or two that grabs the Irish staff's attention in the next few weeks, and they spend very little time recruiting him before getting a commitment - just as Notre Dame did with a Pat Connaughton and a Tory Jackson.

With the way the Irish roster is set up the next two years, the staff has the luxury of being a little more selective.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:23 Tom Noie
12:23
[Comment From Slide_PieceSlide_Piece: ] 
I received my Sports Illustrated "Where are they Now" issues last week. How is the idea for an ND Men's Basketball "WATN" running series taking shape? Can we move Kevin Ellery up to the front of the field? I'd be more than happy to help you take on this ambitious project.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:23 Slide_Piece
12:25
Tom Noie: 
Slide:

Great idea, but one that may be back-burned for a bit. I have quite a bit of vacation time, and several other Tribune duties unrelated to basketball, that may take precedence between now and the start of something around Michiana called football season.

But I can see a "Where are They Now" series evolving during the season - especially with so much donwtime in airports and hotel during my Big East travels.

The names have been stored away from our last chat. Now it's all about finding some time to knock them out. Keep the names coming.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:25 Tom Noie
12:25
[Comment From John from OregonJohn from Oregon: ] 
It seems that Brey has landed a better class of athlete the past couple of years with more four-star guys instead of setting for the three-star players. Average basketball recruiting, in my opinion, has been probably the biggest reason for the ceiling on the program. It's really nice to see some highly sought after recruits not just considering ND, but actually committing. Is there any particular reason for this turnaround?
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:25 John from Oregon
12:29
Tom Noie: 
John:

Good to have you join us early in the morning out west. A particular reason? Not really. Just a whole lot of hard work by the coaching staff to stay on the "difference-maker" type of guys and refusing to take no for an answer.

Take Zach Auguste, currently on campus. The freshman initially eliminated Notre Dame from a pretty lengthy wish list, but the Irish coaches wouldn't accept that. They kept after him, coaxed a visit and Auguste committed before returning home.

He's going to get some minutes next year.

That and sustained success also helps. Going to three-straight NCAA tournaments (bad losses aside) and being considered one of the top teams in the Big East has been a boost.

Notre Dame's not going to ever get its pick of McDonald's All-Americans. But if the Irish coaches can identify right "fits" early in the process, and for the most part they have, recruiting can be even better.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:29 Tom Noie
12:29
[Comment From Mike (Chicago)Mike (Chicago): ] 
So I will bite on your tweet from this morning. Who are the 6 guys wearing the white (starter) jerseys?
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:29 Mike (Chicago)
12:32
Tom Noie: 
Mike:

Sharp guy over there in Chi-town.

As part of the new NCAA rules, college basketball teams now are allowed to practice two hours a week during the time the players are in summer school. Notre Dame has had two practices to date - Tuesday's late-night workout ran about 75 minutes.

The Irish do a little of everything - drill work, skill development, 5-on-0 and 5-on-5. Mike Brey hopes to bring officials in for a scrimmage at the end of summer school (hopefully none of them will call lane violations).

Notre Dame is working with six guys in white (starters) jersies. Guards Eric Atkins and Jerian Grant, forwards Pat Connaughton and Scott Martin and big men Jack Cooley and........

Tom Knight.

If Sherman did not have his knee scoped and was able to participate, Knight still would have been in a white jersey. Want and early candidate to have a surprise season in 2012-13? As Jack Nolan said last week in our talk on WSBT's Weekday Sportsbeat, keep an eye on Tom Knight.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:32 Tom Noie
12:33
[Comment From John from OregonJohn from Oregon: ] 
One last question: In Brey's first couple of years, he made a comment that expectations shouldn't be that ND can make the NCAA tourney every year without fail. That has always rubbed me the wrong way, but now it appears that Brey and Swarbrick both have stated that the program is ready to make a long post-season run, even going so far as to mentioning Big East and NCAA championships. It no longer seems that just making the tourney is the goal. Am I reading this correctly? Have the expectations for the program been raised fairly dramatically from just a few years ago? I can't recall any other time when the ND basketball program has had such high expectations--not only for this coming year, but for years to come. Thanks for the chat!
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:33 John from Oregon
12:38
Tom Noie: 
John:

Good observation. Brey didn't believe the expectations at the start of his tenure should have been getting to the NCAA tournament every year because there were so many other issues that needed to be addressed.

Brey was the third coach in as many years. There was zero stability and a whole lot of distrust in the program those early years. Once Brey fixed that, Notre Dame still was relatively adrift without a direction in the Big East.

Forget getting to the NCAA tournament, what was Notre Dame's identity in its own league? The Irish didn't have one after spending the better part of the 1990s drowning in the obscurity of independence/Big East stepchild.

Once Notre Dame established its league identity and backed it up with a string of successful seasons, only then could fans expect to go to the NCAA tournament.

Now look at the program - wins 20 games every year, competes in what has long been, but soon will not be, the nation's best and toughest conferences. Goes to the NCAA tournament. Been there, done that.

The foundation is now solid. Coaching staff, recruiting, program philosophy, arena, players who are really good and get better. Now it's time to turn up the proverbial heat.

Everything is there to go further than the first weekend of the NCAA tournament. To get to the Sweet 16, make a run at an Elite Eight. It's time to deliver.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:38 Tom Noie
12:38
[Comment From mike from daytonmike from dayton: ] 
hi tom why do we need a new practice facility. the pit was ben h. favorite place.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:38 mike from dayton
12:40
Tom Noie: 
Mike:

You vault to the top of the chat list because of your hometown. Ah, do I miss Dayton and UD. But I digress.

Does Notre Dame need a new practice facility? Yes, yes and yes.

The Pit was OK in the 1970s and 80s, but a stand-along facility built in the back parking lot of Purcell Pavilion. A stand-alone practice facility where players have access at all hours, underscores that Notre Dame is just as serious about its basketball programs as it is about football.

Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:40 Tom Noie
12:40
[Comment From bill from stevensville, mbill from stevensville, m: ] 
with the addition of some big post players, is it possible we may see some power basketball from ND?
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:40 bill from stevensville, m
12:43
Tom Noie: 
Bill:

Great to hear from you. It's possible that the Irish will play a variety of ways next season - they can go small and quick, big and bulky, a combination of both. They might slow it down or speed tempo and score in the 70s and 80s.

I don't know how much Knight was a factor in the offseason plans. If he proves worthy of quality minutes, imagine playing Cooley, Knight and Sherman all that the same time coupled with the speed and quickness of Atkins and Grant. Or Grant and Connaughton. Or Atkins and Biedscheid.

There are plenty of potential mix-and-match pieces this coming season.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:43 Tom Noie
12:43
[Comment From bill from stevensville, mbill from stevensville, m: ] 
you awake?
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:43 bill from stevensville, m
12:43
Tom Noie: 
Bright-eyed and busy-tailed and ready to talk hoops all afternoon......can you guys keep up?
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:43 Tom Noie
12:43
[Comment From Michael from OrlandoMichael from Orlando: ] 
Any Demetrius Jackson update?
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:43 Michael from Orlando
12:46
Tom Noie: 
Michael:

What would a Notre Dame hoops chat be with a question about Demetrius Jackson?

The senior-to-be at Mishawaka Marian High School recently attended an all-star camp in Virginia. It was the first time he's been away from Michiana and was a little homesick leaving for five days. It also was the first time he's ever been on an airplane.

Could those tea leaves play into the favor of Notre Dame? We'll see.

Jackson worked out a couple times with the Irish earlier this month. He was invited to the Deron Williams summer camp, but surprisingly declined. He's now off on the AAU circuit and appears no closer to a decision than he was last summer, last fall, last winter and this past spring.

So......stay tuned.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:46 Tom Noie
12:55
Tom Noie: 
For those of you who may have fallen off your seat following the Tom Knight comment, just remember that no one - NO ONE - saw last season coming from Jack Cooley. Following two years of playing a minimal role,. Cooley became a second team All-Big East selection and the league's most improved player.

The common thread between Cooley and Knight? Cooley finally decided before the start of last season to get serious, really serious, about the game. No longer was it OK for him to be serious about playing three or four days a week. He had to bring it every day.

Knight may have arrived at a similar crossroads, especially with Garrick Sherman in the mix. Knight may have realized it's now or never. Take a step forward and maybe it's to Notre Dame's advantage, and his, for Knight to return for his fifth year in 2013-14.

Continue to tread water as a guy who is OK and Knight may graduate and leave next spring with a year of eligibility in his hip pocket.

The conclusion? Let's wait and see how/if Knight develops, but there's too much talent there for him to continue to be average.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:55 Tom Noie
12:55
[Comment From Jack From GrangerJack From Granger: ] 
I have Brey breaking Diggers total number of wins (393) in six years. Do you agree?
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:55 Jack From Granger
12:57
Tom Noie: 
Jack:

If your math is correct (mine, you can never be so sure). There's no reason to think the Irish can't average at least 22-24 wins a year for the next decade. This is the course the program is traveling, so why not?

Digger still will point to all of his wins over top-ranked teams and the 1978 Final Four.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 12:57 Tom Noie
1:13
[Comment From GrouchGrouch: ] 
Early take on the ND rotation? Who among Biedscheid, Auguste and Sherman takes the most minutes (assuming health)? Any palns for a Red Shirt?
Wednesday July 11, 2012 1:13 Grouch
1:16
Tom Noie: 
Grouch:

Best handle of the day, but the day's not over yet. The starting five is easy - Eric Atkins, Jerian Grant, Pat Connaughton, Scott Martin and Jack Cooley. The sixth/seventh/eighth/ninth man may change from week to week and even game to game with any combination of Garrick Sherman, Tom Knight, Zach Auguste and Cameron Biedscheid.

Mike Brey has long believed that Auguste and Biedscheid are the most ready to help this team today and their first month in summer school has reinforced that. Where does that leave Austin Burgett and Eric Katenda?

Remains to be determined. If everyone stays healthy, maybe it's best they take the slow track. If injuries arise, maybe one or both work their way into the mix.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 1:16 Tom Noie
1:17
[Comment From GrouchGrouch: ] 
How does Connaughton look? He's probably the returning starter with the weakest grip on a starting gig - any chance Biedscheid steals it away?
Wednesday July 11, 2012 1:17 Grouch
1:20
Tom Noie: 
Grouch:

Know this about Connaughton - he's not going to give anything up without a whole lot of fight. You could see this time last year that he was going to contribute. He just did too much good stuff to be a down-the-line guy.

Connaughton's a guy who knows his role - defend, rebound, hit a shot, rebound, get out in transition, rebound. Biedscheid is more of a natural scorer who also will need time to adjust to the game - and understand the importance of rebounding.

I watched Connaughton play one pickup game last month when he couldn't buy a bucket for a stretch. I wondered if his legs were dead after having played baseball. Then he ran off a string of five, six 3-pointers. The guy just keeps battling.

Because of that, he'll always have a place in the program.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 1:20 Tom Noie
1:21
[Comment From GrouchGrouch: ] 
Sigh.... Joey Brooks. Seems like such a good kid... think he could help the football team as a TE :-)
Wednesday July 11, 2012 1:21 Grouch
1:22
Tom Noie: 
Grouch:

Not so fast, my man. Joey Brooks is going to have an important place in the program, and to an extent, already does during practices. To find out how, stay tuned to the SBT.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 1:22 Tom Noie
1:23
[Comment From GrouchGrouch: ] 
Great tease - you forgot to add a link to subscribe to the SBT!!!!
Wednesday July 11, 2012 1:23 Grouch
1:24
Tom Noie: 
Good point....just go to www.southbendtribune.com. Just don't tell them you know me.....they may charge you double.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 1:24 Tom Noie
1:31
[Comment From GrouchGrouch: ] 
Where do you project Auguste? Is he thick enough to hang on the post in BE play?
Wednesday July 11, 2012 1:31 Grouch
1:33
Tom Noie: 
Like the other freshman, he's got to get stronger, and then will learn a lesson or two in what it's like to be a post player in the Big East. He'll contribute and will have the luxury of learning behind Cooley, who's going to make a run at first team All-Big East as a senior.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 1:33 Tom Noie
1:34
[Comment From SimpsonSimpson: ] 
There is talk around Demtruis Jackson's AAU team that one concern that DJ has with the Irish is being in the starting 5. He understands that he will not start has a true freshman with Atkins and Grant in the backcourt. BUT someone has told him that during his 2nd season (2014-15) that Grant will start at point, Cam at the 2 and Pat C at the 3. Have you heard any talk about Grant playing more point in the years to come?
Wednesday July 11, 2012 1:34 Simpson
1:39
Tom Noie: 
Simpson:

Don't believe the hype, and Jackson shouldn't either. I disagree that any hint of what it would look like when he's a freshman has kept Jackson from committing.

Mike Brey and his staff have rarely, if ever, projected to any prospect what the starting lineup would be like when a kid is a sophomore. Grant and Jackson may be a better backcourt than Atkins and Grant, who are really good together.

Before he even plays a game at Notre Dame,. Cameron Biedscheid is already 6-7. He's probably not done growing. A 6-8 or 6-9 2-guard? Not likely.

Grant can play point, true. But his future after Notre Dame may be at the off-guard spot as someone who can score and slash and shoot but also handle.


Wednesday July 11, 2012 1:39 Tom Noie
1:39
[Comment From GrouchGrouch: ] 
So, Auguste stays at the 4? He just seems a little different than what we are used to seeing from ND at that spot. I don't know he is a "step out and bury a 3" type, but he is more athletic than the usual stable of bigs. Seems like an odd fit....
Wednesday July 11, 2012 1:39 Grouch
1:41
Tom Noie: 
Grouch:

First lesson learned when covering a Mike Brey team - he has very little use for numbers - this guy is a 1, that guy's a 2, he's a 3, no a 4, maybe a 5.

Mike Brey likes basketball players, regardless of position. Auguste can step out and shoot it or go inside. That versatility could come in handy his second year with Sherman and possibly Knight still in the mix along the front line.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 1:41 Tom Noie
1:41
[Comment From TeddyTeddy: ] 
I agree with you on Tom Knight. That guy has good feet and has an above average vertical jump. I see him playing more minutes than Auguste this year and if he continues to improve, I think he could average 8 boards per game his 5th year. Do you see 8 boards a night in Knights future?
Wednesday July 11, 2012 1:41 Teddy
1:43
Tom Noie: 
Teddy:

Why not? He's got the size and the athleticism. Now it's time to put it all together. Knight was really good toward the end of last year and was a key in the Xavier game.

Again, no one saw Jack Cooley ripping off that run of double-doubles last season. Guys in the program tend to get better as they get into junior and senior seasons.

No reason to think that Knight, who hasn't yet tapped his true potential, can't do the same.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 1:43 Tom Noie
2:02
Tom Noie: 
Another quiet day for 2011 Big East player of the year Ben Hansbrough in the Orlando Pro Summer League.

Playing point guard for the Indiana Pacers, Hansbrough had six points, no rebounds and no assists in 11:25 minutes. The Pacers lost to the Celtics, 85-77.

Hansbrough did finish with a plus/minus rating of +10.

Former Irish small forward Carleton Scott plays at 3 p.m. as a member of the Brooklyn Nets. Scott has had an intriguing couple of days in Orlando for Nets GM Billy King.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 2:02 Tom Noie
2:03
Tom Noie: 
Only one other former Irish player - forward Rob Kurz - is on an NBA summer league squad. Kurz is playing for Sacramento, which opens play Friday in Las Vegas.

Wednesday July 11, 2012 2:03 Tom Noie
2:12
[Comment From BrooksFan-ChicagoBrooksFan-Chicago: ] 
Looking forward to your article on Joey Brooks, and I hope he can find a good niche/role on the team in whatever minutes he gets. Question, we all know MB and Missy got the extended deals. Do they have agents that handle these negotiations, or are they pretty much dealing with Jack directly?
Wednesday July 11, 2012 2:12 BrooksFan-Chicago
2:14
Tom Noie: 
Brooks:

Hate to disappoint you, but I won't have anything specifically with Joey Brooks - just a slice of my main story of how the Irish are utilizing the new NCAA rules that allow them to practice.

Mike Brey does have an agent but much of the framework of his 10-year deal was discussed between Brey and Jack Swarbrick. Not sure about women's coach Muffet McGraw.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 2:14 Tom Noie
2:17
[Comment From BrooksFan-ChicagoBrooksFan-Chicago: ] 
Not a disappointment Tom, looking forward to your stories in any event. I still think Brooks can play a valuable role defensively even in some limited minutes..
Wednesday July 11, 2012 2:17 BrooksFan-Chicago
2:18
Tom Noie: 
Brooks:

It's safe to say that Joey Brooks' greatest contributions to this team going forward may be behind the scenes - in the locker room, on the practice floor - in helping the young guys understand what it takes to be a part of the program.

Wednesday July 11, 2012 2:18 Tom Noie
2:21
[Comment From BrooksFan-ChicagoBrooksFan-Chicago: ] 
Next question, actually more of a philosophical one. Let's say ND gats the practice facility, and also becomes a consitent top 15 team, with runs into the second weekend of the NCAA's every other year, or every third year. How much higher do the bball revenues go? Let's assume that the ND Ath Dept runs a 20 MM surplus each year, which gets turned over to the general fund. Would a higher ranked, better tourney program move the needle revenue-wise. In other words, if bball revenue is profitable by a million per year, is there room to, for example, double that if ND takes the next step?
Wednesday July 11, 2012 2:21 BrooksFan-Chicago
2:25
Tom Noie: 
Brooks:

There's a reason why I'm a writer and not an accountant when it comes to crunching all the numbers and projecting revenues against operating costs, etc.

From my vantage point, one of an outsider, I would say the ability for Notre Dame to maximize revenue of its men's basketball program is severely limited. The Irish play in what is currently the second-smallest arena in the Big East. Only the RAC at Rutgers seats fewer (6,000) than Purcell Pavilion (9,149).

There's only so much money the Irish can make off ticket sales. And a good bulk of the annual operating costs go into the amount of money needed to charter flights for away games.

But as long as you have the football program, which makes money faster than you can spell Brian Kelly, it's manageable.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 2:25 Tom Noie
2:27
[Comment From mike from daytonmike from dayton: ] 
tom i do not see knight helping much this year. maybe 8 rebounds in 2 games. better chance lance in cinny and darren in south bend agreeing on nl all star manager.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 2:27 mike from dayton
2:28
Tom Noie: 
Mike:

Perhaps, but a whole lot of people thought the same of Jack Cooley at the start of last season, which saw Cooley become a second team all-league guy. Is Knight headed for a similar leap? Probably not, but as long as he takes a big step, it's something to build on for the following year and gives the coaching staff another option in an area (bigs) where there are plenty.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 2:28 Tom Noie
2:32
[Comment From BrooksFan-ChicagoBrooksFan-Chicago: ] 
Tom, backa bit to my prior thoughts. I guess that circles back to this practice faciilty issue. If the program, as currently run, throws off some profit, and that profit is likely to stay about the same, or only a bit more, if we keep the program on auto-pilot, perhaps the strong will to get that practice facility up comes up short..
Wednesday July 11, 2012 2:32 BrooksFan-Chicago
2:34
Tom Noie: 
Brooks:

Nope. Everyone involved - Mike Brey, Muffet McGraw, Jack Swarbrick and even President John Jenkins, C.S.C. believe a stand-along practice facility is needed. Not needed in terms of winning national championships or guaranteeing Final Fours but needed just to keep pace with what other schools are doing.

The school took a serious step by renovating the arena. The next step is a practice facility. The facility doesn't guarantee any extra revenue, it just helps Nore Dame convince recruits, and current players, it's serious about basketball as schools that have one.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 2:34 Tom Noie
2:37
[Comment From BrooksFan-ChicagoBrooksFan-Chicago: ] 
OK, thanks, now all I need to do is hit the PowerBall so I can fund it. I will include a stipulation that you ( and only you) are allowed to attend three practices per week.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 2:37 BrooksFan-Chicago
2:38
Tom Noie: 
Brooks:

Forget that....stipulate that if you hit the PowerBall, I can get a fraction - just a fraction - of those funds. Deal?

Seeing practice is not THAT important.....ha!
Wednesday July 11, 2012 2:38 Tom Noie
2:40
[Comment From BrooksFan-ChicagoBrooksFan-Chicago: ] 
Ok, deal !!
Wednesday July 11, 2012 2:40 BrooksFan-Chicago
2:41
Tom Noie: 
Done. And on that note, it's time to call it a chat day. the SBT chat goes back on vacation next week and possibly the week after that. Stay tuned to the SBT website to see when we'll return.

If you have a question or comment that cannot wait, drop me a note at tnoie@schurz.com" target="_blank" >tnoie@schurz.com. Thanks. Take care.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 2:41 Tom Noie
2:41
 

 
 
 





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