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Notre Dame Basketball: One scholarship left for Mike Brey

By Chase Eyrich

Mar 27, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Mike Brey reacts during the first half against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the championship game in the East regional of the NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 27, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Mike Brey reacts during the first half against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the championship game in the East regional of the NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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With an extra scholarship in his hands, the pressure is on Mike Brey to make the right move for the Notre Dame basketball program.

Mike Brey, who seems to never be affected by pressure, has been put into a difficult situation when it comes to his roster. After Demetrius Jackson made he departure, Jarrett Allen committed to Texas and Thon Maker made the controversial jump to the NBA. With that being said, the Irish have one scholarship remaining. This might not have been what Brey was expecting, but now he is forced to play his cards.

It is 100 percent small ball, but the way the current roster is set up for the Irish isn’t too bad. Steve Vasturia and V.J. Beachem will step up and play vital rolls, Matt Ryan looked great as a freshman even netting 19 three pointers in the final 13 games of the season, Matt Farrell showed us potential with his phenomenal handles and energy especially in the NCAA Tournament, and Martinas Geben is constantly praised by his improvements in practice.

With the addition of T.J. Gibbs, I am not too concerned about the loss of Jackson. Even with his departure the point guard position is not a need as of now. The recruiting process for the class of 2016 is all but finished. Anyone who is still available probably isn’t worth a scholarship from Notre Dame. The other option that is more attractive at this time and is more of Brey’s style, is grabbing a transfer. There are many problems that come along with a transfer. Why does he want to transfer, why didn’t it work out with his current school, will he be eligible, and most relevant, who’s available?

The Irish are committed to small ball since Zack August graduated. If Brey wants to use his scholarship right now, look for hight, go get a true center. If he wants to wait, this team can do fine with out one. No one will look at this roster and say they are an Elite Eight team, but who said that about the last two seasons?

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If this team is allowed to develop, an extra scholarship could be huge in 2017. We have seen the Irish begin to recruit better year after year especially after snagging Gibbs, arguably the biggest ND recruit since Jackson. I can only see it get better from here with the recent success of the Irish. Some big names like Brian Bowen and D.J. Harvey are looking at making South Bend their new home in 2017. An extra scholarship could make 2017 a Irish recruiting class nightmare for the rest of the country.