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Chat Transcript: Talk Notre Dame basketball with Tom Noie

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

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 Live Chat: Talk Notre Dame basketball with Tom Noie(01/24/2013) 
    
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12:02
[Comment From KevinKevin: ]  Tom, This season is starting to get the feel of "good experience team with high expectations/decent in pre-conference/starts conference well/falls apart/finishes 7-11/losses 1st BE tournament game to inferior team/washes out of NIT in 1st round" about it. Damn expectations!! Your thoughts?
Thursday January 24, 2013 12:02 Kevin

12:05
[Comment From KevinKevin: ]  If you had to guess how the 4/5 positions will play out in the near future, how do you see it unfolding? Personally, I say start Sherman with Cooley. Bring Knight and Auguste for their energy off the bench. Would like to see Burgett but don't seem him getting much of a chance.
Thursday January 24, 2013 12:05 Kevin

12:08
[Comment From Darin From CourtsideDarin From Courtside: ]  In August, did you picutre Auguste playing a big role on this team in January?
Thursday January 24, 2013 12:08 Darin From Courtside

12:13
[Comment From Ed ,Greensboro,N.C.Ed ,Greensboro,N.C.: ]  The last three games were painful and Georgetown was pathetic.I know there is a lot of season left,so please give me hope.thanks
Thursday January 24, 2013 12:13 Ed ,Greensboro,N.C.

12:17
[Comment From Ben HansbroughBen Hansbrough: ]  Who is the leader on this team? Is anyone stepping up and trying to take charge of this team?
Thursday January 24, 2013 12:17 Ben Hansbrough

12:20
[Comment From ralph, glencoe, ILralph, glencoe, IL: ]  My real question is where was Cameron Biedschied's head the other night? The bottom line was he was more valuable to Georgetown than ND (and I do hate saying that!). I love the idea of challenging Austin Burgett to be the guy to do what Scott Martin did, become the "glue" guy. He has been here long enough to be able to do that. Can you just call Mike Brey and tell him the people on your chat think this is the way to go?
Thursday January 24, 2013 12:20 ralph, glencoe, IL

12:24
[Comment From Brendan from PhiladelphiaBrendan from Philadelphia: ]  Tom, the Irish offense looked pretty stagnant for most of the 2nd half against georgetown, with only the 3 players up top passing around the perimeter. It looked to me that they needed more dribble-drive from Atkins and Grant, who seemed top be waiting for someone else to step up. For all Grant's talent, why is he so unwilling to take a step forward and take over a game?
Thursday January 24, 2013 12:24 Brendan from Philadelphia

12:27
[Comment From Jerry SeinfeldJerry Seinfeld: ]  Tom- Long time fan of yours and closet ND fan...what are your thoughts on the zone that ND runs? Especially with Biedschied playing the bottom of the 2-3 it seems like there are a lot of holes and rebounding issues with the zone
Thursday January 24, 2013 12:27 Jerry Seinfeld

12:31
[Comment From Slide_PieceSlide_Piece: ]  I've been analyzing film of ND Hoops and I honestly have to say - Eric Atkins is playing his best ball yet in his tenure. Do you agree with this assessment? With that being said, how could the team struggle overall? I tended to think that in the past Atkins could really limit the team if he didn't up his game - which he has. Thoughts?
Thursday January 24, 2013 12:31 Slide_Piece

12:34
[Comment From Brad in South BendBrad in South Bend: ]  Watching the game on Monday night and seeing how flat we were, my mind instantly flashed back to a North Carolina game a few years back where Roy Williams was so fed up with the play of his starters that he benched them all at the same time to send them a message. I'm not saying that Coach Brey should have done that, even though a small part of me wishes he would have, but is Coach Brey making any changes, outside of saying they need to get away from campus, to practice routine, practice drills, film study, changing from the mock turtleneck, etc. to try to spark this team and get them performing at the level they are capable of?
Thursday January 24, 2013 12:34 Brad in South Bend

12:39
[Comment From Peter in ProvoPeter in Provo: ]  Hi Tom, It looked to me that teams were going at Martin offensively (perhaps knowing he was ailing?) since league games started. What about a little bruiser ball with 3 bigs (Cooley, Knight and Auguste) on the floor at the same time to toughen up the team a bit and knock some heads? Be interesting to see.
Thursday January 24, 2013 12:39 Peter in Provo

12:43
[Comment From Jim-- NYCJim-- NYC: ]  I look at this team and my biggest concern is that they do not play hard. They are getting beat to a large majority of the 50/50 balls. They appear to lack a common purpose. I see zero passion for the game, that's disturbing.
Thursday January 24, 2013 12:43 Jim-- NYC

12:46
[Comment From KevinKevin: ]  Do you think Burgett maybe has a better shot than the other three to get minutes at the 4 considering he fits the mold of a 'stretch' 4 and will continue to open up driving lanes for Grant, Pat and Eric.
Thursday January 24, 2013 12:46 Kevin

12:49
[Comment From ralph, glencoe, ILralph, glencoe, IL: ]  To piggy back off those last comments from Jim, I see a lot of shooters from the other team stand there way too long while shooting a wide open shot (it was bad against Georgetown but I thought the St. John's game was the worst). The defense just is not covering the floor right now and closing out on shooter and that speaks to the effort a couple of people have already mentioned. What possible reasons are there for the lack of effort?
Thursday January 24, 2013 12:49 ralph, glencoe, IL

12:59
[Comment From JoeJoe: ]  Tom, I guess this is another year without a sweet sixteen, elite eight, or final four:(
Thursday January 24, 2013 12:59 Joe

1:02
[Comment From Henry from SacramentoHenry from Sacramento: ]  The team seems "tight" when it plays lately. Do you think any of this "weight of the world on my shoulders" has to due with Brey's constant chanting (it starts in October) of Big East, Big East as if it is the NBA. Maybe just talking about the next game would loosen up the players.
Thursday January 24, 2013 1:02 Henry from Sacramento

1:05
[Comment From Saint KnuteSaint Knute: ]  Do you feel a 9-9 finish in the big east is realistic at this point? With the Irish in searching mode, it might be a stretch. Your thoughts?
Thursday January 24, 2013 1:05 Saint Knute

1:07
[Comment From JakeJake: ]  Hope you guys are all good over there -- and gettin through these 'interesting' times...To me, Cooley is lacking something emotionally. What gives? I have to ask myself if he enjoys the game!? He is, in my mind the opposite of Timmermans -- who struggled mightily his first few years but was able to earn respect with an admirable effort his senior year. Cooley just seems to be trending down -- will it help him or hurt him with Martin out of the lineup?
Thursday January 24, 2013 1:07 Jake

1:10
[Comment From JoeJoe: ]  Tom, Thanks for the PEP talk! I needed that. I just hope they can get some production from at least one of their bench players.
Thursday January 24, 2013 1:10 Joe

1:11
[Comment From JakeJake: ]  also, can't help but wonder if Brooks couldn't have helped this year -- even if just for coming in to defend here and there. Seemed to me like he always had good energy, something this team lacks big time...
Thursday January 24, 2013 1:11 Jake

1:13
[Comment From JoeJoe: ]  If Tom "Slow of foot" Knight is one of our top 7 players, we're in real trouble. Your thoughts...
Thursday January 24, 2013 1:13 Joe

1:15
[Comment From JakeJake: ]  can't someone fire up Sherman!! Energy drinks are still legal, as far as I know. Have him pop 4 or 5 before the game!!!
Thursday January 24, 2013 1:15 Jake

1:17
[Comment From bobbob: ]  I totally agree that Brooks would not have helped this season, but what about Drago ? He would have been one of the top three point threats on the team this year - and it's not like Connaughton has been a lock down defender either.
Thursday January 24, 2013 1:17 bob

1:33
[Comment From skip vaughan - houstonskip vaughan - houston: ]  so "coach", why have we be playing several games 4-5?
Thursday January 24, 2013 1:33 skip vaughan - houston

1:39
[Comment From skip vaughan - houstonskip vaughan - houston: ]  Since it is so obvious in hindsight, my question about playing 4-5 is why didn't the coach recognize this sooner?
Thursday January 24, 2013 1:39 skip vaughan - houston

1:40
[Comment From Dave (Washington, DC)Dave (Washington, DC): ]  Tom, I'm not very optimistic about this team. I think they're "quiet" personalities translates to their play on the court. Brey gives a lot of freedom to his players on offense (too much, in my opinion) and as a result the offense relies on players being assertive and making good decisions. Too often this group of players is standing around twidling their thumbs, not cutting hard enough and not driving to the basket or going after offensive rebounds. I'd like to think that inserting a healthy 4-man (Auguste, I hope) will help, but it's obvious it's more than just not knocking down shots. They all need to be more aggressive. Oh, and defense would help as well.
Thursday January 24, 2013 1:40 Dave (Washington, DC)

1:55
[Comment From Korey - IndianapolisKorey - Indianapolis: ]  From a leadership standpoint who do you think needs to step up? I have watched the last 4 games and leadership doesn't seem to exist. I think Al Lesar got it right saying there isn't a "want to" with the team. What are your thoughts? Also, Jerian Grant seems to be on cloud 9 with his play. He likes to jump up in the air without a plan. He seems to have a lost a lot of confidence this past offseason.
Thursday January 24, 2013 1:55 Korey - Indianapolis

2:03
[Comment From Korey - IndianapolisKorey - Indianapolis: ]  Thanks for the response. I appreciate your coverage.
Thursday January 24, 2013 2:03 Korey - Indianapolis

2:06
[Comment From KevinKevin: ]  Not sure if you know this or not but might as well ask. How do the assistant coaches break up their duties? Seems like they rotate scouting reports but do you know if each coaches a specific position group?
Thursday January 24, 2013 2:06 Kevin

2:12
[Comment From SteviedStevied: ]  Tom- I have read that Brey has stated it is open competition to take Martin's spot, but I would be shocked if it was not Knight or Cam. It will be interesting to see if this gets Garrick Charmin out of the doghouse. I know many are touting Auguste, but IMO the guy that would make the most sense is Burgett. His skill set is the closest to Martin's and Brey does not seem that really keen on 2 big guys. I know this will not happen, but why not try it. IMO Auguste just does not seem like he gets (yet) the speed of the game- he seems very hesitant and almost looks like he is over thinking it. Couple things on Cam, I know Brey says he wants him to shoot, but does every shot have to be a trey? How about a head fake and 15-18 foot rhythm jumper? Brey promised Cam would be the 3rd guard to spell the starters and yet it does not happen. I read all the time how Duke and UK can bet by with 6 guys,but I read a theory some time ago that 5 stars playing at 80% due to fatigue can hold their own with 3-4 star talent that is rested and that Brey must play at least 8 (and rest the guards!!!). What's your take on these comments/questions.
Thursday January 24, 2013 2:12 Stevied

2:47
[Comment From JohnJohn: ]  Wouldn't relying on more than 7 deep on a regular basis put the Irish in a better position to come up with a credible sub when one of the top 5 go down?
Thursday January 24, 2013 2:47 John

2:52
[Comment From JohnJohn: ]  But we have no control over when a guy goes down with injury, and some of the guys Coach Brey is considering using in place of Martin are guys who have extremely little playing time.
Thursday January 24, 2013 2:52 John

2:56
[Comment From jerryjerry: ]  what i am reading here i think we need better players
Thursday January 24, 2013 2:56 jerry

2:58
[Comment From jerryjerry: ]  maybe he finding the wrong players
Thursday January 24, 2013 2:58 jerry

3:00
[Comment From JohnJohn: ]  But it's often times people with the big upsides who may never get much playing time. I've often wondered how many players who ride the bench in football or basketball at ND (or at any school) if they had a chance to play rather than ride the bench may have proven to be stars or could have been stars somewhere else. I'm thinking of the likes of John Huarte, who supposedly did not shine in practice but was great on game day, and when given a chance, his senior year, won the Heisman. If guys are on the bench with a high upside, I believe a coach's style is quite vulnerable if he banks on the unlikelihood of a key injury as outweighing giving those other guys a chance, especially in the part of the season that precedes conference play.
Thursday January 24, 2013 3:00 John

3:05
[Comment From JTapJTap: ]  Has Auguste regained his explosiveness since his ankle injury? I obviously never saw him play in the summer and it's tough to tell in the brief stretches he plays.
Thursday January 24, 2013 3:05 JTap

3:06
[Comment From BillBill: ]  At this point and nobody has a crystal ball.. What is ceiling for this team?
Thursday January 24, 2013 3:06 Bill

3:12
[Comment From BillBill: ]  Do you think most ND basketball fans realize how lucky we are to have Coach Brey? I am a high school coach in NC and feel like he is one of the good ones.
Thursday January 24, 2013 3:12 Bill

3:14
[Comment From JohnJohn: ]  I'll grant you that if a player shows poorly in practice you can't be faulted for not relying on him in a game. Part of my point, though, Tom, is that whether the new guys "can play" in some borderline instances, at least, is better determined in actual game conditions as opposed to simply practice. A guy can be lights out in practice but poor in actual competition. A basketball squad is sufficiently small that it's conducive to more experimentation, at least on a limited basis, in the early season, and at least with players who haven't been outright disappointing in practice.
Thursday January 24, 2013 3:14 John

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