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ACC Basketball: Ranking all 18 programs after additions of Stanford, Cal, and SMU

By Tristan Freeman

Feb 5, 2023; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Stanford Cardinal head coach Jerod Haase during the second half against the Colorado Buffaloes at the CU Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2023; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Stanford Cardinal head coach Jerod Haase during the second half against the Colorado Buffaloes at the CU Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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ACC Basketball
ACC Basketball Notre Dame Fighting Irish Head Men’s Basketball Coach Micah Shrewsberry: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

It was the final year for long-time head coach Mike Brey after 23 years and multiple Elite 8 appearances for the program. But after the last few years, it was the right move to make the change. Former Penn State HC Micah Shrewsberry now has the job after a good performance last season, though it’s clear that he’s taking on a complete rebuilding job.

The good news for Coach Shrewsberry is that he’s now at one of the most prestigious athletic programs in all of America at Notre Dame. The academics and everything else that comes with the program make them a perennial contender going forward.

The one concern I have with the Irish is that like Stanford, the transfer portal could prove to be an issue with them. Coach Brey wasn’t able to get a ton of talent in the past few years and respectfully, Shrewsberry got next to nothing this offseason, which is why they currently have one of the worst power conference rosters for the 2023-24 campaign.

The floor for Notre Dame will always remain high but the ceiling could be affected since they also can’t take anyone from the portal. That’s something to watch with Shrewsberry and his ability to build a competitive roster but just on name-strength alone, I give the program the benefit of the doubt.