Following a 76-56 loss to the North Carolina Tar Heels, the 2024-25 Notre Dame men’s basketball season finished with a 15-18 record and an 8-12 conference record in the ACC. In a down year for the ACC, Notre Dame entered the season in a promising position, poised to make a strong push and possibly generate some March Madness buzz. But following a lackluster season filled with injuries and disappointment, head coach Micah Shrewsberry is entering a critical offseason to retool a roster that has already seen several enter the transfer portal.
The top offseason priority will be to retain star guard Markus Burton, who is expected to draw NBA Draft consideration and significant interest from top programs should he enter the transfer portal. Despite an injury that kept him out for multiple weeks, Burton averaged 21.3 points per game, becoming one of the top scorers in the nation. At times this season, he was the team’s only reliable shooter, a vulnerability that became increasingly apparent as opponents tailored their game plans specifically to shut him down. It remains unclear whether Burton will explore the NBA Draft process, enter the transfer portal or ultimately decide to return to Notre Dame for another season. There is no official timetable for his decision, and his options remain open as he evaluates his best path forward. Keeping Burton in South Bend is undoubtedly head coach Shrewsberry’s top off-season priority, as the dynamic guard is central to the team’s future success and identity.
As of April 15, 2025, forward Tae Davis and guard J.R. Konieczny have both entered the transfer portal. JR is a talented athlete, but he’s struggled to find time on the floor. Davis was the second-leading Irish scorer last year, averaging over 15 points per game. Davis, the 6-foot-9 junior, showed impressive promise as a scorer and flashed the tools to become a significant two-way contributor. His rare blend of size, athleticism and scoring ability made him a valuable asset for Notre Dame. His departure is a significant loss for the Irish, as players with his physical profile and upside are challenging to come by.
No other Notre Dame players have yet entered the transfer portal, but this time of uncertainty reflects the new norm in college basketball, where the offseason often resembles a free agency period. Roster turnover has become unavoidable, and programs must adapt quickly to stay competitive. Notre Dame’s incoming recruiting class is ranked 12th in the nation, highlighted by high-end five-star, Jalan Haralson. Haralson, the 6-foot-seven wing, is an in-state recruit who is expected to be an instant key contributor. With his size, versatility and scoring ability, he has the potential to make an immediate impact. This year’s highly rated recruiting class offers a crucial spark needed in the program.
It would be unrealistic for Notre Dame to rely only on incoming recruits to improve its roster, and assuming it can retain Burton, Notre Dame desperately needs to add experienced players. The Irish had significant issues with three-point shooting, a problem that simply cannot happen in today's era of college basketball. These issues only worsened with Matt Allocco and Braden Shrewsberry, two premier perimeter shooters, missing time. Their absence took a serious toll on the offense and highlighted a key area the team needs to sort out in the offseason.
By hopefully adding more shooters, teams will be forced to stop focusing only on the dynamic Burton. They will have to respect Notre Dame’s ability to stretch the floor and create a more deadly and dynamic offensive potential. The Irish also faced significant challenges on the defensive end. These issues will be further challenged by the potential loss of guard Julian Roper due to eligibility and the confirmed departure of Davis. Both were regarded as Notre Dame’s top defenders and replacing their defensive presence would be no small task. The Irish also struggled on the interior, often getting outmuscled in the paint and failing to consistently secure rebounds — a weakness that became a recurring issue throughout the season. That need has become even more pressing with the departure of Davis, who was one of the team’s best defenders and a key presence on the glass. His absence leaves a significant void in rim protection and rebounding, making frontcourt depth a top priority this offseason. Through the portal, this gap may be bridged, as the Irish have gained power forward Carson Towt from Northern Arizona. Towt is known for his rebounding abilities and offers a promising solution to help stabilize the Irish’s interior deficiencies.
While the future of Notre Dame men’s basketball remains somewhat uncertain, there are plenty of reasons for optimism. Much of that hope hinges on the Irish retaining star guard Markus Burton. Still, with a nationally ranked recruiting class and the flexibility to make key additions through the transfer portal, Notre Dame is well-positioned to take a significant step forward. If the pieces fall into place, the Irish could find themselves climbing toward the top of the ACC preseason rankings next year. The Irish must capitalize on the offseason to assemble the strongest roster possible, as year three under Shrewsberry will no doubt be pivotal for the program's future.