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Notre Dame Basketball: Mike Brey is a Championship away from elite

By Noah Strackbein

Dec 19, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Mike Brey watches from the bench in the first half against the Colgate Raiders at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Mike Brey watches from the bench in the first half against the Colgate Raiders at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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There are plenty of great college coaches out there, but Notre Dame basketball head coach, Mike Brey, doesn’t seem to ever be in the conversation.

Must Read: Can Notre Dame really win the 2018 ACC Championship?

It seems that no matter how many times Mike Brey turns nobodies into somebodies, forgotten teams into top 25 programs, and makes NCAA Tournament runs, he never does enough to earn the respect of the college basketball world.

Well, there isn’t much else Mike Brey can do to earn the respect of fans, but maybe a NCAA Championship would do the trick. With Bonzie Colson and Matt Farell returning for their senior season, along with Rex Pflueger and T.J. Gibbs coming back to the hardwood, the Fighting Irish have almost everything they need for a Final Four run.

This year, Notre Dame should be one of the most respected teams in the country. After going from nothing to a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament last year, there is no reason not to believe in the Irish. Even with V.J. Beachem and Steve Vasturia leaving, Notre Dame has the talent and roster to pull off yet another tournament run.

The Irish are one of the fastest growing programs in the country. All of which is being led by Brey. Without him, this team would still be the bottom of the barrel ACC program competing for a NIT birth year after year.

Brey is already elite. He’s done everything he’s needed to with a team who had nothing when he joined it. How no one else is seeing how great this head coach truly is unbelievable. Year after year he’s forgotten, and year after year he shines. At some point, people need to realize he’s low key one of the best coaches in basketball. That point may be this season if Notre Dame can pull off their first-ever Championship.

It’s time to give Brey the credit he deserves. He’s arguably a top five coach in college basketball. Without a ring, though, he’ll continue to be disrespected. As sad as it is, in this sport, rings equal greatness. That’s why Kobe Bryant fans will forever throw the “six rings” argument out there, and LeBron James fans are stuck shaking their heads.

Next: From Naismith Watchlist to NBA Hopeful

He’s right there. But with his and Notre Dame’s first championship, there will be no denying Mike Brey is one of the best.