BIG EAST RECRUITING UPDATE: NOTRE DAME

VERBAL COMMITMENT ALERT: Joe Harden (F), St, St. Mary's (CA).

Articles from the Lodi News-Sentinel (Harden Picks Irish) and the South Bend Tribune (Tough Cali Kid Joins Brey's Irish) report that Joe Harden has verbally committed to Notre Dame. Harden is expected to sign his letter of intent on April 12 and visit Notre Dame the weekend of April 22.

Projected 2006-2007 Roster
Seniors: Colin Falls (WG), Russell Carter (SG)
Juniors: Robert Kurz (F)
Sophomores: Ryan Ayers (F/G), Kyle McAlarney (G), Zack Hillesland (F), Luke Zeller (BF/C)
Freshmen: Luke Harangody (BF), Tory Jackson (PG), Jonathan Peoples (G), Joe Harden (WF)

Link to previous Notre Dame recruiting reports: February 1, 2006, sept 21 report, July 21 Report.

Read More...Click Below!


With the addition of Joe Harden the Irish add a wing/shooter who is also not afraid to stick his nose into the battle for the basketball on the court. Harden is the 4th Irish commitment, joining fellow spring time addition Jonathan Peoples and November signees Luke Harangody and Tory Jackson as Irish newcomers for the 2006-2007 season.

With Colin Falls, Russell Carter, Randy Ayers and Zack Hillesland on the roster ahead of him, it is unclear what kind of impact Harden will be looked at for next season. The 6'7 205 lb wing could use a little extra weight and some time to adjust to the speed and physical nature of the Big East, so a redshirt is not out of the question, as the South Bend Tribune article suggests, but Harden will bring his intense style and work hard to earn early playing time.

For me, I am still waiting for the Irish to land some post help. Harangody was a nice start, but I still believe they need someone to battle at the rim in the Big East and provide some sort of shot blocking presence. This past year, the Irish struggled athletically inside and out and their post offense, defense and rebounding always left something to be desired and now have to replace Chris Quinn, Torin Francis and Rick Cornett. Recruits like Jackson and Peoples should help add athleticism to their backcourt and Harangody is a physical specimen, but will they look to add some rebounding and interior defense? Luke Zeller and Rob Kurz are likely to improve, but they will have their hands full next year battling stronger and more atheltic front lines every night in the Big East.

Notre Dame and Mike Brey are in a very critical time in their program. The new Big East is setting the bar in recruiting and on the court with their 16-team set-up. The Irish seem to be slipping a little more behind the leaders in terms of adding the quality talent and physical ability to compete at the high end of the Big East. The Irish have 2 scholarships left, I still think they need to add someone to make an impact inside, otherwise, next year will be much like this past season, but, more of the losses might not be as close.