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Notre Dame Basketball: Selection Sunday will look different next year

By Brad Weiss

Dec 12, 2020; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Mike Brey reacts on the sidelines during the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Arden Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2020; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Mike Brey reacts on the sidelines during the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Arden Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Notre Dame Basketball program will miss the 2021 NCAA Tournament, but good things are ahead for Mike Brey and company starting next season.

When the Notre Dame Basketball team on the Men’s side lost to the University of North Carolina Tar Heels in the second round of the 2020-21 ACC Tournament, it was the end of their chances of making the NCAA Tournament. After an up-and-down season, the Irish just did not put together enough wins to earn an at-large bid, and will spend another season on the outside looking in at the postseason.

Today, the NCAA will have their Selection Sunday for the Men’s Basketball Tournament, and the Notre Dame Basketball team will not hear their name called. It will be the fourth straight season that Mike Brey and company will have missed the tournament, as the last time they were in the dance they finished in the second round.

Looking ahead, there is a lot to like about this program, and they could be dancing next year at this time.

Notre Dame Basketball set up for future success

While the team struggled to play consistent basketball this season, it was a weird year, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rear its ugly head across the globe. Next season, hopefully, the pandemic will have passed away, and they can get back to business as usual in South Bend.

In 2021-22, the roster is going to be loaded with veteran talent, as most of the better players on the roster were juniors this past season, and the team is only losing Nikola Djogo and Juwan Durham. Prentiss Hubb, Nate Laszewski, and Dane Goodwin were the top-three leading scorers for the Irish this past season, all averaging double-figures, and they will all be back next season.

Also, the Irish are bringing in some special freshman in J.R. Konieczny and Blake Wesley, two in-state high schoolers who will make an instant impact. Also, Paul Atkinson is a 6-foot-10 scorer who is incredibly accurate as a shooter and will give this Irish offense another dimension in 2021-22.

Next. Notre Dame Football: 3 Freshman who will make an instant impact in 2021. dark

So, while this Selection Sunday is not exciting for Irish fans, next year they could be looking at hearing their school called if they do not win the ACC outright. Sit back, and enjoy the Madness this year, because next year, the Irish should be dancing!