Source: Mike Brey to retire as Notre Dame coach after season

The Irish coaching legend reportedly is hanging it up.

Sources have told the South Bend Tribune that Notre Dame coach Mike Brey will retire at the end of the current season. Brey plans to tell his players after Thursday’s practice. Brey, the winningest coach in program history, has held the position for the past 23 seasons.

Brey, who has 481 wins at Notre Dame on top of his 99 at Delaware, will leave a large legacy behind. Under his tenure, the Irish have reached 13 NCAA Tournaments, three Sweet 16s and two Elite Eights. He also has one ACC Tournament championship, one Big East regular-season championship and a national coach of the year honor.

In spite of all the accolades, few of those have come lately. The Irish have missed the NCAA Tournament in four of the past five seasons, and it likely will be five of six after this year. Two of those seasons saw the Irish finish under .500, and this year also is a possibility for that distinction. Based on all of that, many Irish fans began calling for a change, and they’ll be getting their wish.

Here’s to Brey’s career, and here’s hoping his final season goes better with the weight of the future off his shoulders.

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Notre Dame on pace for worst conference season in program history

This is a conference season to remember for all the wrong reasons, and it could sink lower.

After decades of independence, Notre Dame joined the Big East for the 1995-96 season. It proved to be an adjustment as the Irish went 4-14 during their first conference schedule. That was as bad as it got in conference play until the 2018-19 Irish stumbled to a 3-15 ACC record. Now, only four years later, the Irish are on pace for something even more putrid.

Through eight ACC games, or 40% of the conference schedule, the Irish are 1-7, and they earned that lone win by the skin of their teeth. 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.

The eye test should have seen this coming. Except for the win over Michigan State, no nonconference win looked particularly impressive. Sure, the Irish had a few double-digit wins sprinkled in there, but the season began with single-digit victories at home against blue-blood opponents Radford and Youngstown State, followed soon after by a one-point home win against the almighty Lipscomb. Perhaps those raised flags, but how many actually believed it?

As the losses pile up, so do the calls for [autotag]Mike Brey[/autotag] to retire or be fired. Frankly, you can’t blame Irish fans for wanting either one. His “get old, stay old” philosophy for this season has backfired. Having a bunch of veteran players fresh off two NCAA Tournament wins and a highly-touted recruit in [autotag]JJ Starling[/autotag] should have worked, but everything that could go wrong has.

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. Except for Starling and [autotag]Ven-Allen Lubin[/autotag], no underclassman has played nearly enough for fans to say they’re excited for the 2023-24 season. With the window of opportunity not stretching beyond this season, this was the last chance for success for this group. 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. Right now, just avoiding the standing for program conference futility is the most reasonable. That speaks volumes and specifically means a disappointing tempering of expectations. 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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Two Notre Dame greats headed to Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame

Congrats, ladies!

No state is prouder of its basketball tradition than Indiana, so to be honored for basketball in the state is extra special. Before Tuesday, 20 individuals with Notre Dame connections were inductees of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. The most recent of those inductees were [autotag]Ken Barlow[/autotag] and [autotag]Beth Cunningham[/autotag], both of whom were enshrined in 2019. Now, that number soon will be 22 with the announcement that [autotag]Ruth Riley[/autotag] Hunter and [autotag]Sheila McMillen[/autotag] Keller will be inducted in 2023.

Riley Hunter was the big player on the Irish’s 2001 national championship team, winning national player of the year and Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament among other honors. At the conclusion of her collegiate career, she held seven program records. She remains the Irish’s all-time leader in field-goal percentage, blocks average and personal fouls. She was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019.

McMillen Keller was the first Irish player to appear in four consecutive NCAA Tournaments. She was an All-Big East selection as a senior captain and graduated with 1,439 career points. Her 98 3-pointers during her final season still are a program record.

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Oklahoma Sooners tops Kansas City 75-53 with big game from Grant Sherfield

Grant Sherfield’s 24 points led the way in Oklahoma’s 75-53 win over Kansas City. From @bendackiw

After a tough 70-66 loss in Philadelphia to the Villanova Wildcats in the Big 12-BIG EAST Battle, the Oklahoma Sooners returned home to the Lloyd Noble Center and defeated the Kansas City Kangaroos 75-53.

It was a good night in their first home game since Nov. 18.

Senior guard Grant Sherfield had a good night, leading the Sooners with 24 points on the evening. Sherfield was 6 of 10 from the field and 5 of 6 from three-point range. He was also 7 of 9 from the free-throw line.

Two other Sooners were in double figures, with Tanner Groves and Milos Uzan each chipping in 11 points. Sam Godwin had ten points of his own off the bench.

Oklahoma and Kansas City played a tight game through the first 20 minutes, going into halftime tied at 27. Then the Sooners turned it on in the second half led by Sherfield’s incredible night. The transfer point guard scored 22 of his 24 points after the halftime intermission.

It was a solid shooting night for the Sooners. OU shot 57.8% from the field and 41.2% from three-point range. Meanwhile, the Sooners held the Kangaroos to 35.8% from the field and 22.2 from three-point range.

After the season-opening loss to Sam Houston State, there were some concerns about this team in year two of the Porter Moser era. Since losing 52-51 to the Bearkats, OU has gone 7-1, with their only loss coming on the road to Villanova.

This weekend, a tougher opponent awaits the crimson and cream. The Sooners are playing the No. 9 Arkansas Razorbacks in Tulsa on Saturday at the BOK Center.

The Sooners have yet to play a ranked opponent this season. The Razorbacks will be a good early-season test for this squad.

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Oklahoma loses a tough nonconference matchup to Villanova 70-66

Oklahoma loses a hard fought nonconference battle on the road against Villanova. From @thatmanbryant

Oklahoma dropped a winnable nonconference game that could come back to bite them in March.

On a trip to the east coast to play new basketball powerhouse Villanova, the Sooners controlled the action for much of the game before watching their lead wilt away before losing to the Wildcats 70-66.

Villanova entered the game at 2-5, but that was hardly an indicator of the type of team they can and likely will be. The Sooners were led by Grant Sherfield, who posted 21 points, four rebounds, and four assists. He was flanked by the Groves’ who chipped in 14 points apiece.

Oklahoma outrebounded Villanova 27-18 but was outshot by the Wildcats, who shot over 55 percent from the field. Being outrebounded won’t matter if you make more shots than your opponent.

Villanova ended the game on a 17-7 run to seal the deal, with their defense leading the way. Five-star freshman Cam Whitmore led all players with three steals.

The Sooners, who saw their six-game winning streak end, built an early 11-point lead and were in control all game until Wildcats’ leading scorer Caleb Daniels gave them a 64-61 lead on a tough drive and finish late in the contest.

Jalen Hill made just the first of his 1-and-1, and a three-pointer from Daniels was the final blow to seal it, and the Wildcats iced it from the free-throw line.

Oklahoma will return to action on Tuesday against the Kansas City Roos.

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Charel Allen returns to Notre Dame as assistant coach

It’s a homecoming for one of the Irish’s own.

In the mid-2000s, [autotag]Charel Allen[/autotag] was one of Notre Dame’s biggest stars. She was an All-American twice, an All-Big East First Team selection twice and was team captain as both a junior and a senior. She finished her collegiate career with 1,566 points, ranking her 15th in Irish history. Now, she’s coming back to South Bend as an assistant coach under [autotag]Niele Ivey[/autotag] after five seasons on the staff at Cal State Fullerton.

After Notre Dame, she was drafted by the WNBA’s now-defunct Sacramento Monarchs, for whom she played six games in 2008. She then thrived over eight seasons in Bulgaria, winning five championships, being selected to the all-league first team four times and earning one player of the year honor.

Ivey has this to say about the hire:

“Excited to welcome Charel back to the Notre Dame family. Charel brings a high-level mentality that leads to great player development. She possesses experience at every level – collegiately, professionally and internationally. She’s a rising star in this industry. She’s extremely passionate and loyal and understands what it takes to excel as a student-athlete at Notre Dame.”

Best of luck to Allen in her return.

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Jay Wright, coach of ex-Notre Dame Big East rival Villanova, retiring

A college basketball legend is hanging it up.

Few coaches have established such a legacy in the 21st century like Jay Wright. Between seven seasons at Hofstra and then 21 more with Villanova, he had a 642-282 record, made 18 NCAA Tournaments and won two national championships. Now, the 60-year-old Hall of Famer is retiring. Not often has a college basketball coach achieved so much and yet flown under the radar almost the entire time, but that’s Wright in a nutshell.

Notre Dame first faced Wright during his first season at Hofstra in 1995 and won, 63-52. The Irish would split the next 14 games in which Wright was on the Villanova sidelines between 2002 and 2016. All but the last of those contests were played when the schools were Big East rivals. That last game was a battle between undefeated teams, and the Irish lost to the top-ranked defending national champion Wildcats, 74-66.

Here’s to a great career, and best wishes to Wright in whatever he decides to do in this next stage of his life.

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Xavier bringing back Sean Miller as the school’s head coach after 13 eventful years away

Sean Miller is reportedly heading back to Xavier as the men’s head basketball coach.

Xavier is hiring Sean Miller as its next head coach.

Of course, Miller and the Musketeers go way back. WAY BACK.

Miller served as the school’s basketball head coach during perhaps its most successful era. He led Xavier to three straight A10 first-place finishes and four NCAA Tournament appearances, resulting in an Elite Eight and Sweet Sixteen appearance.

But you probably better know Sean Miller for his time at the University of Arizona where he had similar success with the Wildcats over the course of 12 years.

Things eventually went south under in Miller’s time out West. Both he and his assistants were responsible for many NCAA infractions that included bribery and paying for false academic transcripts, among other violations. One assistant even served jail time as Miller held onto his job before being fired from the program following the 2020-21 season.

But it appears that Miller is getting thrown a life vest after just one season away from basketball. He’ll fill the void left by Travis Steele, and formerly Chris Mack, on the Musketeer sideline as the team—and Miller’s reputation—attempt a return to glory.

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Clear Play: Val Ackerman leads Big East into the future

The Big East’s boss on the future of one of college basketball’s best conferences.

Big East Conference commissioner Val Ackerman joins Clear Play for a look at how one of college basketball’s best leagues is gearing up for March Madness and beyond.

All odds via Tipico.

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Notre Dame makes NCAA Tournament, will play Rutgers in First Four

The Irish are dancing!

After a championship week that went anything but smoothly for Notre Dame, all of South Bend can take a collective exhale. For the first time since 2017, the Irish have qualified for the NCAA Tournament after being placed in the West Regional. They will take on Rutgers in a battle of No. 11 seeds as part of the First Four in Dayton, Ohio. The winner of this game will play sixth-seeded Alabama in the first round.

The Irish have an all-time record of 20-13 against the Scarlet Knights. The former Big East rivals last faced each other in the second round of the 2013 conference tournament. The Irish won that game, 69-61. In fact, nine of the past 11 meetings have gone their way.

It was fitting that these programs met in the 2013 Big East Tournament because both programs left that conference after that season. Now, they get to face each other in an unofficial ACC-Big Ten Challenge with much bigger stakes than conference pride. Getting into the Round of 64 by playing an extra game may not have been a goal either program wanted to achieve, but that’s just how it goes sometimes. Still, they likely will be thinking less about that than being one of 68 teams who still can win it all.

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