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Notre Dame Fighting Irish news: Men’s basketball officially loses top recruit

By Tyler Kruse

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 11: Head coach Mike Brey of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish reacts against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the first half at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center on February 11, 2023 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 11: Head coach Mike Brey of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish reacts against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the first half at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center on February 11, 2023 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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The Notre Dame men’s and women’s basketball programs have looked like polar opposites this year, with just a handful of games remaining. One seems primed to be a true contender in the big dance, while the other will need a miracle to make any postseason play.

The Notre Dame men’s basketball team will take on typically more than challenging North Carolina today. However, the squad is a bit down this year. Although to be fair, after a solid run last season, Notre Dame is also having quite a rough go of it. Regardless, it’ll be an excellent barometer for the Fighting Irish men’s team to see where the young guys are this late in the season.

In even more brutal news for the program, Parker Friedrichsen decided to be released from his letter of intent after the wild Mike Brey announcement earlier this season. While that happened quite some time ago, Parker just announced he will join in-conference foe Wake Forest as a part of their basketball program. A tough blow for the Irish but nothing they couldn’t overcome.

https://twitter.com/5parker5/status/1627805543065653248

The women’s basketball team has been quite the opposite of the men’s team this year, with Niele Ivey leading her squad to a record of 22-4. Ivey and the women’s basketball team will take on Georgia Tech (13-14 overall) and will look to extend their win streak to 5. They can finish the season on a 6 game-win streak should they beat Georgia Tech and Louisville this weekend.

Mike Brey will need an ACC tournament title if he wants to see the postseason with the Fighting Irish this year. It’s not out of the question but a long shot. The men’s team has been losing some heartbreakers lately, as they’ve lost the last 4 games by no more than 6 points. That includes a 2-point loss to Virginia and 4 point loss to Duke, both excellent teams this year.

It’ll take a miracle if we want to see both Irish basketball teams partake in March Madness this year, but I’ve seen wilder things happen. Let’s hope we see an excellent finish to the season for both.

Next. Notre Dame baseball struggles to start season. dark