Get ready, college basketball fans! The 2025-26 Notre Dame basketball season is just around the corner, promising another thrilling ride on the hardwood. Before we know it, the chill of winter will be upon us, and the Fighting Irish will be battling it out in the Atlantic Coast Conference. To get you hyped for the season, which tips off on Monday, November 3rd, at home against LIU Brooklyn, we're diving deep into the roster. Over the next few weeks, we'll be spotlighting each player alphabetically, starting with a closer look at the key players.
Let's begin with a player who's already making waves:
∎ Markus Burton
- Hometown (High School): Mishawaka, Indiana (Penn)
- Dimensions: 6-foot, 190 pounds
- Projected Position: Starting point guard
- Class: Junior
A Star in the Making: Burton has been a consistent starter since his freshman year. He's already amassed an impressive 1,130 points. If he continues at this pace, he could potentially reach 2,260 career points by the end of his college career. That would put him in elite company, trailing only Austin Carr (2,560) and Luke Harangody (2,476) in Notre Dame history.
Last Season's Performance: In the 2024-25 season, Burton was a force to be reckoned with. He led the team with an average of 21.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game, playing an average of 33.7 minutes in 26 games, including 25 starts. His shooting percentages were also noteworthy: .442 from the field, .375 from three-point range, and a solid .848 from the free-throw line. It's worth noting that Burton missed seven games early in the season due to a right knee injury, but thankfully, it didn't require surgery.
Looking Ahead to 2025-26: Expect to see Burton's name on the Atlantic Coast Conference first-team preseason honors list. He's undeniably one of the top five returning players in the conference. But here's where it gets controversial... Some argue that he'd receive even more national recognition if the Irish were a stronger team overall. Burton's performance often mirrors the team's success. As he enters his third year, the focus will be on his continued growth and his ability to elevate the play of those around him. He's already evolved significantly from the Indiana Mr. Basketball who first stepped onto campus.
What Coach Shrewsberry Says: Coach Shrewsberry emphasizes that Burton doesn't need to prove anything. He encourages him to simply play his game and trust his teammates. The coach has observed significant growth and maturity in Burton over the summer.
What do you think? Do you agree that Burton is poised for a breakout season? Will he lead the Irish to new heights? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Follow South Bend Tribune and NDInsider columnist Tom Noie on X (formerly Twitter): @tnoieNDI. Contact Noie at tnoie@sbtinfo.com
