Notre Dame Basketball: Are the Fighting Irish Truly A Top 10 Team?

Notre Dame Basketball: Are the Fighting Irish Truly a Top 10 Team?

As Notre Dame Basketball finds itself in the midst of a seven-game win streak and sitting currently in second place in the Big East standings, many are wondering if the Fighting Irish are a real contender this year. 

With a record of 21-4 and with wins over Wisconsin, Gonzaga, Georgetown, the University of Connecticut and Pittsburgh, the Irish are on pace to secure one of their best regular season finishes since the Digger Phelps era.  

For those of us who have watched this team closely, though, their 21 wins and their consistent performance against top competition is very surprising.  The 2011 Irish do not appear to have the quality of athletes the top teams in the country possess. This was sorely evident in both the Kentucky and Syracuse losses. The Irish lineup is void of any identifiable names, it has no star players, and yet the Irish have strung together a season that defies their limitations. 

Coach Mike Brey, despite the steady drone of criticism he has endured since arriving in South Bend, has turned in, perhaps, his best career coaching performance this season.  He has assembled a team of overachievers that appear to be a perfect fit for Brey’s system.   

Regardless of the Irish’s finish in the Big East Tournament, they are looking at a high seed as they enter the NCAA tournament if they continue to win.  However, once tournament time gets here, are we to expect an early exit or will this team survive the early rounds and finish this season as one of the biggest surprises of the year?  

Don’t be surprised if the 2011 Fighting Irish basketball team continues its successful season deep into the tournament.  They are building confidence and momentum as the season rolls on.  This team of blue-collar performers has survived a grueling season in, arguably, the most competitive league in the country and established themselves as a worthy opponent.  This team is healthy and flourishing under the leadership of Brey and Hansbrough. 

All the bounces seem to be going the way of the Irish. Is this the perfect storm?  Only time will tell.