Can Notre Dame Fighting Irish Men's Basketball Return to Championship Form This Season?

I remember watching Notre Dame's last championship run back in 2015, and honestly, there's been something missing from the program since then. The energy, the consistency, that special something that makes championship teams stand out - it's been inconsistent at best. But this season feels different, and I've been around college basketball long enough to sense when a program might be turning the corner.

Looking at their recent performance against quality opponents, there's a particular quote from one of their international players that really stuck with me. After a significant preseason victory, he mentioned in mixed English and Filipino: "Pero, it's a good win for us kasi it's not just a positive thing to win, nakakuha din kami ng ganitong klaseng experience as early as now." This blend of languages perfectly captures what makes this Notre Dame team special - they're embracing their diverse backgrounds while building something unified. That early experience against tough competition, that's exactly what championship teams need. They're not just collecting wins; they're collecting moments that will matter in March.

The numbers tell an interesting story too. Last season, Notre Dame finished with a 22-11 record, which isn't terrible by any means, but they struggled against ranked opponents, going just 4-7 in those matchups. This year, through their first 12 games, they're already 9-3 with wins over two top-25 teams. The improvement is noticeable, especially in their defensive efficiency, which has improved from 98.3 to 92.1 points allowed per 100 possessions. That might not sound like much to casual fans, but for basketball nerds like me, that's a massive leap that could translate to 3-4 more wins in conference play.

What really excites me about this team is their international flavor. They've got players from the Philippines, Croatia, and Canada bringing different styles and perspectives to the court. That diversity creates matchup nightmares for opponents who are used to more traditional American college basketball systems. I've always believed that teams with international players tend to have better basketball IQ, and Notre Dame is proving that theory correct this season. Their ball movement has been exceptional, averaging 18.2 assists per game compared to last season's 14.7. They're sharing the ball, they're making the extra pass, and they're playing for each other rather than individual stats.

The coaching staff deserves credit too. Mike Brey has been here before, and he's making adjustments that show he understands what this particular group needs. He's shortened the rotation to 8 main players instead of last year's 10, giving his core group more minutes to develop chemistry. He's also implemented more pick-and-roll actions to take advantage of their skilled international big men. These might seem like small changes, but in college basketball, where margins are thin, they make all the difference.

Now, let's talk about their schedule. The ACC is brutal this year, with at least six teams having legitimate NCAA tournament aspirations. Notre Dame faces Duke, North Carolina, and Virginia twice each, which means 6 of their 20 conference games are against potential top-10 teams. That's tough, but it's also exactly what they need if they want to be battle-tested for March. I actually prefer teams that face adversity during the season rather than cruising through weaker competition. The teams that struggle and learn from those struggles in January and February are usually the ones making deep runs in March.

Their freshman class has been better than advertised too. Point guard Marcus Hammond, who was only a 3-star recruit, is averaging 12.3 points and 5.1 assists while shooting 42% from three-point range. Those numbers are impressive for any freshman, let alone one who wasn't highly touted coming out of high school. He's got that calm demeanor you want in a point guard, and he's already hit two game-winning shots in close contests. That kind of poise under pressure is something you can't teach.

The biggest question mark remains their interior defense. They're giving up too many offensive rebounds - 11.2 per game, which ranks them in the bottom half of the ACC. Against bigger, more physical teams, that could be their undoing in the tournament. They need to improve their boxing out and gang rebounding if they want to make a serious championship run.

I've been watching college basketball for over twenty years, and what separates good teams from championship teams often comes down to leadership and chemistry. This Notre Dame team seems to have both in spades. Their captain, senior forward Nate Laszewski, has taken younger players under his wing, and you can see the camaraderie both on and off the court. They celebrate each other's successes, they pick each other up after mistakes, and they genuinely seem to enjoy playing together. That stuff matters more than people realize.

Looking at their remaining schedule, I'd project they finish around 24-7 in the regular season, which should be enough for a 4 or 5 seed in the NCAA tournament. From there, anything can happen. They have the shooting, the coaching, and the emerging star power to make a deep run. Are they guaranteed to win it all? Of course not. But they have as good a chance as any team outside the top three or four favorites.

The truth is, championship form isn't just about talent or statistics. It's about that magical combination of skill, timing, health, and maybe a little luck. Notre Dame has been building toward this moment for three seasons now, and all the pieces are falling into place at the right time. They've got the experience from early tests, they've got the diversity that makes them unpredictable, and they've got the coaching that can make adjustments when it matters most. I'm not saying they will win it all, but I am saying they've got a real shot, and that's more than most teams can claim this deep into the season.