Notre Dame Men's Basketball Opens 2026-27 Campaign

The Fighting Irish look to rebound after a challenging season and return to the NCAA Tournament field.

Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Basketball

Notre Dame Men's Basketball Opens 2026-27 Campaign

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The Notre Dame men's basketball team has officially begun its 2026-27 season as the program seeks to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2022. The squad aims to improve upon a campaign last year that saw them finish with four ACC victories.

Why it matters

Qualifying for the NCAA Tournament remains the primary goal for Notre Dame following three consecutive losing seasons. The program is prioritizing a distributed offensive approach to move past the struggles of the previous year.

In their recent game against Dayton, Notre Dame outrebounded their opponent 40-31 and received 35 points from the bench. However, the team struggled from distance, connecting on only 23% of their 3-point attempts.

The players

Micah Shrewsberry

He serves as the head coach of the Notre Dame men's basketball team and has recently received medical clearance for an Achilles injury.

Braeden Smith

He is a transfer player expected to contribute immediate experience and depth to the Notre Dame rotation.

Ethan Roberts

A transfer athlete from the Chicago, Illinois region, he is tasked with bolstering the team's offensive production.

Logan Duncomb

As a key transfer addition, he is counted on to help provide the necessary frontcourt depth for the upcoming season.

The details

Notre Dame plans to shift offensive production across the entire roster following the departure of players Jalen Haralson and Carson Towt. The team, which led by five points at halftime against Dayton, has integrated transfers Braeden Smith, Ethan Roberts, and Logan Duncomb to provide added depth and experience.

The Notre Dame men's basketball team began the 2026-27 season in October 2026.
Notre Dame last reached the NCAA Tournament in 2022.

Season Trajectory

The team's current trajectory marks a pursuit to return to the 2022 NCAA Tournament, representing a significant return to form for the program. Successfully integrating new transfers will be critical to overcoming the competitive deficit faced in the ACC standings.

The transition to a distributed offensive model suggests that no single player will dominate the team's scoring statistics this season. Fans should monitor the rotation minutes for transfers Smith, Roberts, and Duncomb to understand the coaching staff's primary offensive options.

The takeaway

Notre Dame is betting on roster depth and collective production to navigate the competitive ACC landscape. Consistency in perimeter shooting will be a key metric to watch as the team attempts to overcome recent losing seasons.