While Markus Burton is checking out Indiana and Houston, the Notre Dame basketball program is busy trying to lure in his replacement. There’s a chance that former Wright State star Michael Cooper could at least replace Burton on the roster, even if he hasn’t reached the heights of the Irish star guard’s notoriety just yet.
According to multiple reports, Cooper is expected to visit South Bend this weekend. The combo guard and Indiana native just completed his freshman season, where he averaged 13.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.2 assists while shooting 44.3% from the field. He also shot 36% from beyond the arc and nabbed nearly a steal a game in his debut campaign. Cooper has good size for the position at 6-foot, 3-inches, and 185 pounds.
Notre Dame will get a long look at Cooper, but they haven’t nailed down a commitment just yet. In fact, the Irish could compete with in-state rival Indiana for the guard’s services.
Michael Cooper will visit Notre Dame basketball as the Irish search for Markus Burton’s replacement
Of course, the Hoosiers are also trying to reel in Burton, and it’s not hard to guess that he’ll be the Big Ten team’s prime target. Some rumors suggest Burton will demand close to $3 million this offseason.
Should IU land him, one would think Cooper would look elsewhere. In other words, while it would be frustrating to see Burton stay in the state and go to Indiana, if that cleared the way for Micah Shrewsberry and Notre Dame to lock in his replacement by the end of the weekend, it could be best for everyone.