Notre Dame men’s basketball ready to turn corner in year three under Micah Shrewsberry

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- After back-to-back rebuilding seasons, the Notre Dame men’s basketball team is entering the 2025–26 season with a new level of confidence and chemistry.

Head coach Micah Shrewsberry, now in his third year, has established a strong foundation — and this year’s message is simple: it’s time to compete.

Leading the charge once again is Markus Burton, the former Indiana Mr. Basketball from Mishawaka, who averaged more than 21 points per game last season. Burton has already been named to the ACC Preseason All-Conference Team, and says the group is ready to take the next step.

“We’re expecting to go out and compete every single day,” Burton said. “It’s the ACC so it’s going to be hard to win, but I feel like we have the pieces, we got the team.”

The Irish return seven players, including forward Kebba Njie, and welcome key transfers like Jalen Haralson, who adds much-needed depth and shooting. Shrewsberry says the difference this offseason was having a “real spring” to develop returning players who were committed to staying early on.

Notre Dame opens its season Nov. 7 at Purcell Pavilion, looking to prove this is the year they officially turn the corner.