This one stings. While Notre Dame’s football program has been riding high, basking in the glory of a dominant 2024 season, their basketball team? Not so much. The Fighting Irish men’s basketball squad just endured a brutal reality check, suffering their worst loss of the season at the hands of SMU. A staggering 97-73 defeat on February 19 left fans in shock—and, more importantly, heading for the exits long before the final buzzer.
But not everyone abandoned ship. Amid the sea of empty seats and frustration, one figure stood firm, refusing to leave his team behind. That man? Marcus Freeman.
A Coach’s Loyalty in the Face of Disaster
It’s no secret that Freeman is a regular at Notre Dame sporting events, always showing up to support his fellow Fighting Irish squads. But even he probably didn’t expect what unfolded on Wednesday night. He walked into the stadium hoping to see some fight, some spark—maybe even an upset win. Instead, he got a front-row seat to a basketball disaster.
At first, things looked promising. The Mustangs were missing their best player, Boopie Miller, giving the Irish a prime opportunity to capitalize. But instead of stepping up, Notre Dame completely unraveled. By halftime, the Irish weren’t just losing; they were being demolished, trailing 50-25 after managing more turnovers (eight) than field goals (seven).
The second half didn’t bring much relief. SMU kept pouring it on, with Matt Cross and Samet Yigitoglu each dropping 14 points, while Chuck Harris added 11. Meanwhile, the Irish couldn’t do much more than watch the scoreboard turn into a nightmare. By the time the final whistle blew, most of the crowd had vanished.
And that’s when On3’s Tyler Horka posted the image that captured it all—a nearly empty arena, just a handful of diehards sticking around. But right there, among the last few remaining fans, was Marcus Freeman, unwavering to the end.
Horka’s caption said it all:
“This was the crowd at the conclusion of Notre Dame’s 97-73 loss to SMU. Not a lot of people, but Marcus Freeman is one of them. He stayed till the end.”
While the fans couldn’t bear to watch the downfall, Freeman stood firm, watching every second. His loyalty? Unquestionable. But let’s be real—that was not an easy watch.
A Tale of Two Nights
Just two days earlier, Freeman was courtside for a very different kind of Notre Dame basketball experience. On Monday, February 17, he was in the stands again—but this time, he got to witness something special.
Notre Dame’s No. 1 ranked women’s basketball team dominated the Duke Blue Devils, 64-49, in a game that showcased everything the men’s squad lacked—poise, execution, and straight-up dominance. In fact, the Irish women haven’t lost a game since late November. Talk about a stark contrast.
Duke came into the matchup riding an 18-game winning streak, making Notre Dame’s victory all the more impressive. Freeman soaked it all in, reveling in the success of a program that refuses to settle for anything less than excellence.
And yet, just 48 hours later, he found himself watching the exact opposite unfold with the men’s team. That’s got to be frustrating.
This was the crowd at the conclusion of Notre Dame’s 97-73 loss to SMU. Not a lot of people but Marcus Freeman is one of them. He stayed til the end. pic.twitter.com/KWq7WRjLXa
— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) February 20, 2025
A Night of Celebration… and Embarrassment
So why did Freeman stick around Wednesday, even as the arena emptied and the score turned into a disaster?
Well, the night wasn’t entirely about basketball. It was actually a special occasion for Notre Dame football.
This game marked the first public display of Notre Dame’s Sugar Bowl and Orange Bowl trophies, a moment meant to celebrate the Irish’s successful football season. Fans got to snap pictures with the trophies, and Freeman’s squad was even honored at halftime.
During one of the timeouts, Freeman and his Fighting Irish players took center court, receiving a well-earned standing ovation from the crowd—before most of them disappeared.
But as special as that moment was, it didn’t change what came next. Once the brief celebration was over, Freeman returned to his seat. He watched. He waited. He stayed. Even as the Irish collapsed on the court, he didn’t flinch.
The Road Ahead
For Freeman, Wednesday’s game wasn’t just about basketball. It was about what it means to lead. A coach doesn’t walk away when times get tough. A coach doesn’t leave his players to face the music alone. And Freeman? He’s a coach through and through.
But let’s be real—Notre Dame fans deserve better. They just witnessed a football season filled with dominance and promise, yet their basketball team is 11-15 (5-10 in conference play), struggling to find its identity.
And maybe, just maybe, it’s time for Notre Dame to rethink its approach. If this program wants to keep up with the powerhouse schools, if it wants to stop being an afterthought come March, maybe they should take a piece of advice from their own football team—consider joining a conference.
Until then, Marcus Freeman will keep showing up. Whether it’s the high of a Sugar Bowl win or the low of an SMU beatdown, he’s there. Because that’s what leaders do. Now, let’s see if Notre Dame basketball can finally give him something to cheer about.
