2011–12 Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball team

Previous season

The Fighting Irish finished the 2010–11 season 27–7, 14–4 in Big East play, finishing second place behind Pittsburgh. Ben Hansbrough was named Big East Player of the Year, and Mike Brey was named Big East Coach of the Year for the third time. Brey was also named National Coach of the Year by Sports Illustrated & CBSSports.com, and the recipient of the Associated Press College Basketball Coach of the Year award.

The Irish were defeated in the semifinals of the Big East tournament by Louisville. They earned a #2 seed for the NCAA tournament, the program's highest seeding since 1981, where they were eliminated in the third round by Florida State.

Preseason

Roster changes and recruiting

Notre Dame lost team captains Hansbrough & Tyrone Nash to graduation. Additionally, forward Carleton Scott surprised many by declaring for the NBA draft, forgoing his final season of eligibility. All three players went undrafted and signed contracts to play in Europe. Notre Dame welcomed one transfer in center Garrick Sherman from Michigan State, who will have two years of eligibility remaining after sitting out the 2011–12 season.

Notre Dame recruited two players from the high school senior class of 2010–11: Both Katenda and Connaughton were expected to contribute in their freshman season. However, Katenda suffered a "freak injury" to his left eye during a summer pick-up game, leaving him with a permanently damaged optic nerve. The injury, combined with an academic issue with the NCAA, delayed his enrollment at Notre Dame until January 2012. He will sit out the remainder of the season but is expected to play again.

Awards and honors

• 2nd Team All-Big East – Jack Cooley
• Big East Most Improved Player – Jack Cooley
• Big East All-Rookie Team – Jerian Grant
• Jim Phelan Coach of the Year Award – Mike Brey
• NABC District V Coach of the Year – Mike Brey

Roster

• Mike Brey
• Anthony Solomon
• Rod Balanis
• Martin Ingelsby
• Sherman is not eligible to play under NCAA transfer rules.

Schedule and results

Source

• All times are Eastern |- !colspan=9| Exhibition |- !colspan=9| Regular Season |- !colspan=9| Big East Regular Season |- !colspan=9| Big East tournament |- !colspan=9| NCAA tournament

References

References

1. (2011-05-08). "Carleton Scott To Remain In NBA Draft". und.com.
2. (2011-06-21). "Irish Basketball Program Welcomes Garrick Sherman". und.com.
3. (2011-08-06). "Injury leaves Eric Katenda partially blind". [[ESPN]].
4. (2012-01-20). "After eye injury no limits in sight for ND's Katenda". chicagotribune.com.
5. "Jack Cooley And Jerian Grant Named To BIG EAST All-Conference Teams – UND.COM – University of Notre Dame Official Athletic Site". Und.Com.
6. (2012-03-21). "Mike Brey Named NABC District V Coach of the Year – UND.COM – University of Notre Dame Official Athletic Site". Und.Com.
7. (2012-03-30). "Mike Brey Named Jim Phelan National Coach Of The Year – UND.COM – University of Notre Dame Official Athletic Site". Und.Com.
8. "2011–12 Schedule".