It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic The Kizer House gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in South Bend, IN is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I have worked alongside Always Best Care and they have been amazing. Very quick”
“ABC is a great place to be! Thank you Patti, Stephanie, and Michele for all”
“Best Company I’ve ever encountered. I love how flexible and efficient they are. I love”
“I give always best care of 5 stars. They are caring and have a sincere”
“Always Best Care has been exceptional the four years i’ve worked there. The staff and”
“it is my pleasure to leave a review for the Coffee need that support the”
“I have worked with more home health agencies than I care to remember, both in”
“We used ABC several years ago for my dad, after he had a stroke. I”
“We used ABC several years ago for my dad, after he had a stroke. I”
“I love working for Always Best Care The staff is very helpful, encouraging wonderful, loving”
“Always Best Care gives great encouragement and support to their caregivers during any situation or”
“I love the company I think they really do care about the employee the residents”
“Stephanie Stevens is a great CSD! Thanks for all you do!”
“Always Best care is amazing!”
“Always Best Care is a great company. Not only do they provide the best care”
“We have used Always Best Care two different times for our Mother. Both times the”
“Hi my name is Linda and I've been working with always best care for 2”
“Always best care has always been there when I needed them! They make it convenient for”
“I have used quite a few different providers and ABC is by far the best”
“Great place to work at very professional and appreciative for their staff”
“Overall a great company to work for! They do a wonderful job recognizing caregivers; from”
“They really help people when they need it”
“I've had caregivers for about 5 years now. Only having been disappointed and frustrated. Since”
“Carole is an excellent caring professional. She has been extremely helpful in advising us and”
“They were my mother's caretakers up until we moved away to seek life saving treatment.”
“I have worked alongside Always Best Care and they have been amazing. Very quick to help out patients in need and staff is very polite and professional.”
“ABC is a great place to be! Thank you Patti, Stephanie, and Michele for all you do! You all are Awesome & thank you for the honors of being part of the team also acknowledging myself for Employee of the Month of March! You all are appreciated”
“Best Company I’ve ever encountered. I love how flexible and efficient they are. I love the open door policy. Michelle is my favorite schedule she does an amazing job with communication.”
“I give always best care of 5 stars. They are caring and have a sincere heart I love working with this agency..”
“Always Best Care has been exceptional the four years i’ve worked there. The staff and schedulers, especially Michele, are helpful in finding compatibility for your clients, they’re also flexible in scheduling hours. Great company, great staff.”
“it is my pleasure to leave a review for the Coffee need that support the most I would like Stephanie Kramer for supporting me and helping me get through my work schedules and feel comfortable at my place of employment. I am sad to see that she left Scheduling , but she still tries her best to help everyone even with her new position. Her dedication means everything I would like to Tasha as well for communicating with me so much I also cannot forget Patricia and Michelle as well. You ladies help me so much with my client. I greatly appreciate you ladies. I appreciate all of the hard work and dedication that you ladies have with meeting me halfway when it comes to our job it definitely makes everything much easier. Keep up the great work as well as the rest of the staff thank you ladies for everything that you do and congratulations Monique on your new position.”
“I have worked with more home health agencies than I care to remember, both in GA and MI, when I worked in healthcare; and I have to say that Always Best Care is one of the best home health care agencies that I have found since the early 90's !!! I have been a client with Always Best Care since February 2022 and I have been extremely pleased with the help I have received both from my caregivers and the office staff. All the staff work hard and the quality of care is exceptional!!! The few occasions that I didn't like a caregiver because of either poor work ethic or personality, Always Best Care always took care of finding another caregiver to better meet my needs ASAP!! When I first started with Always Best Care I did get a few caregivers that weren't a good fit. But, within a very short period of time my scheduler learned my specific needs and personality and she found caregivers for me that were a wonderful match!! As in every area of healthcare, the high turnover of employees is to be expected!!! But, Always Best Care has always made sure that I have a new caregiver that matches my needs and expectations!! I have and would, highly recommend Always Best Care for your home health daily care!!”
“We used ABC several years ago for my dad, after he had a stroke. I called a few months ago to set up a care plan for my elderly mom. She had a hip replaced, and lives alone. I knew we would feel better having someone there to help her and visit with her until she could get up and around on her own. ABC works through our scheduling nightmares (mom tends to send people home early, and tell them not to come back)….and they have been SO patient with our ever changing and increasing needs for mom. Their response time and communication are impeccable!!”
“We used ABC several years ago for my dad, after he had a stroke. I called a few months ago to set up a care plan for my elderly mom. She had a hip replaced, and lives alone. I knew we would feel better having someone there to help her and visit with her until she could get up and around on her own. ABC works through our scheduling nightmares (mom tends to send people home early, and tell them not to come back)….and they have been SO patient with our ever changing and increasing needs for mom. Their response time and communication are impeccable!!”
“I love working for Always Best Care The staff is very helpful, encouraging wonderful, loving family. Thank you for the opportunity of serving for your company thank you to Michelle, who is always looking out for me and making sure that I have the hours that I need.”
“Always Best Care gives great encouragement and support to their caregivers during any situation or time of need. The care and dedication to their staff is incredible and I throughly enjoy my time working along side them!”
“I love the company I think they really do care about the employee the residents”
“Stephanie Stevens is a great CSD! Thanks for all you do!”
“Always Best care is amazing!”
“Always Best Care is a great company. Not only do they provide the best care for their clients, but they go above and beyond for their staff as well.”
“We have used Always Best Care two different times for our Mother. Both times the care was excellent. I have referred Always Best Care to several people.”
“Hi my name is Linda and I've been working with always best care for 2 years now and it's a great atmosphere I like coming in to work meeting new people. It's a place that's kind friendly and it makes you feel at home it makes you feel that you're working with people that understand you know you're different needs your different hours and if something come up they are there to help you with anything that you need help with it's a great company I'm so glad I signed up with the company I signed up a little bit after the pandemic and I just needed somewhere that I could really consider myself at home or I find a home and I have I'm amazed at how the people are so nice when you talk to them on the phone how nice they are friendly you can tell this saying it with a smile I enjoy working there I tell people ask me where I work at always best care they like what yeah always best care yes it's a nice company sign up with it you won't regret it I'm glad I do it I'm really glad I did”
“Always best care has always been there when I needed them! They make it convenient for me to take care of my father. I most definitely recommend them!”
“I have used quite a few different providers and ABC is by far the best company. From the office staff to the caregivers, they are doing what they love and it shows.”
“Great place to work at very professional and appreciative for their staff”
“Overall a great company to work for! They do a wonderful job recognizing caregivers; from big recognition like a monthly caregiver award and random drawings, to small recognition such as any time you visit the office you are free to grab snacks, beverages, gear and more often than not there is some type of food they have ordered that is available. They really don’t hold back in this area! There has been quite a bit of changes made in office positions within the last year. Response time, outside of the scheduling department, can be improved upon.”
“They really help people when they need it”
“I've had caregivers for about 5 years now. Only having been disappointed and frustrated. Since Always Best Care came into my life, my worries have ended. I never knew if previous caregivers were going to show up, or do what I needed. Everytime they would complete a task, they would sit down and be on their phone. Kari and Jamisha finish a task and right to the next. No problems. My mind has been put at ease. They are very professional yet so so friendly. They ask, what else they can do for me. I also have my ABC emergency call button. Now I have peace of mind if an emergency should arise. My case coordinator Stephanie Stevens. Stays right on top of my case. Thank you so much for making my life easier. I have recommended your company to others that may need assistance in the future.”
“Carole is an excellent caring professional. She has been extremely helpful in advising us and in scheduling care. With respect to the caregivers, we have no complaints. We want to give a special thank you to Rhona for her time and effort in creating a special bond with our mother.”
“They were my mother's caretakers up until we moved away to seek life saving treatment. It was hard for them at times, because sometimes the homecare aides sometimes called off last minute. One time something came up missing, and the owner personally delivered a replacement. They're not perfect but they try their best.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Woodlawn Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Carriage House Dining Room or visit The Birdsell Mansion, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in South Bend, IN, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in South Bend, IN understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in South Bend, IN 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
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Do you have the time and attention to give to Kirby?
This 4-year-old terrier mix was recently returned to Heartland Small Animal Rescue in South Bend because, the owner said, they didn't have time for him and he was in a crate too long.
The staff is still getting to know Kirby, and they will be dog- and cat-testing him. But Heartland says this boy is definitely worth giving him a chance at a new family.
He is available for adoption, but Heartland would also love to find a foster home for Kirby to help him feel loved again.
Oh, and you need to meet Kirby in person to see how cute his eyebrows are.
Pets are available for adoption through:
• Heartland Small Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 6033, South Bend, IN 46660. Phone: 574-400-5633. Website: www.heartlandsmallanimalrescue.org.
• PetsConnect Inc., P.O. Box 8104, South Bend, IN 46660-8140. Phone 574-282-1225. Website: www.petsconnect.org.
• Homeward Bound Animal Welfare Group, Website: www.homewardboundawg.com. Email: [email protected].
• Elkhart Humane Society, 54687 County Road 19, Bristol. Phone: 574-475-4732. Website: elkharthumanesociety.org.
• South Bend Animal Resource Center, 521 Eclipse Place, South Bend. Phone: 574-235-9303. Website: sbacc.petfinder.org.
• Pet Refuge Inc., 4626 Burnett Drive, South Bend. Phone: 574-231-1122. Website: www.petrefuge.com.
• Humane Society of St. Joseph County, 2506 Grape Road, Mishawaka. Phone: 574-255-4726. Website: www.humanesocietystjc.org.
• Second Chance Small Dog Rescue, Elkhart. Phone: 574-524-6040. Websites: secondchancesmalldogs.org and www.petfinder.com.
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MISHAWAKA — New trash and recycling bins will be delivered next month to city residents as Waste Management (WM) gets ready to replace Republic Services as the city's trash hauler on Jan. 1.
Starting Dec. 2, WM will start delivering new 96-gallon trash and recycling bins to all customers. Officials have told the city they should have all bins delivered by Dec. 20.
The Common Council voted to hire WM for trash services after putting the city's trash service contract out for bid earlier this year. The contract calls for a new 5½-year agreement effective Jan. 1, 2025, to take regular trash removal for residents for $21.69 per month, an increase over the current $15.66. The rate for senior citizens would rise from $12.74 to $17.55 per month.
Republic has been Mishawaka's trash removal vendor since 2008 and has received several contract extensions, the last one received in 2020.
In information released by the city, residents should continue to use their current Republic bins through Dec. 31. Matthew Lentsch, executive director of Development and Governmental Services, said customers should not use the new WM trash bins until Jan. 1.
Lentsch recommended that customers put aside their WM bins in December when they get delivered and continue using the Republic bins for all trash and recycling through the end of the year.
For the final trash pickup of 2024, Lentsch said customers should use Republic's containers and simply leave them out for Republic to collect them after the trash pickup date.
Then, after Jan. 1, customers should begin using the new WM bins.
Each customer will receive two 96-gallon bins: one for trash and one for recycling.
Should a customer need a smaller bin, Lentsch recommended that customers wait until after Jan. 1 and call or contact WM to arrange the exchange.
Lentsch said the city sought the change to improve reliability, take advantage of innovative recycling programs and offer residents enhanced online resources and call centers so customers can take advantage of assistance from the vendor if questions arise.
The city is expected to further discuss details of the transition in the coming month. Residents with questions about this transition are asked to call the Mishawaka Utilities Customer Service line at 574-258-1630.
Email Tribune staff writer Greg Swiercz at [email protected].
This one went about as expected through the early morning hours of Thanksgiving morning for the Notre Dame men’s basketball team.Playing without leading scorer Markus Burton, out with a r...
This one went about as expected through the early morning hours of Thanksgiving morning for the Notre Dame men’s basketball team.
Playing without leading scorer Markus Burton, out with a right knee injury for the next “several weeks,” playing its second game in less than 24 hours after a crusher overtime loss to start the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas and playing against one of the nation’s stingiest defensive outfits in No. 7 Houston was all too much for the Irish to absorb.
Noie:A late night, a key injury and a near miss for Notre Dame men's basketball in Las Vegas
Notre Dame returned to its defense first, in-the-mud style of play often seen last season. It had chances to make it interesting down the stretch but, like last season, couldn’t do enough and couldn’t score enough in the critical minutes to close.
Noie:Inside an improbable night for a former Notre Dame men's basketball captain turned head coach
The Irish (4-3) lost their third straight game, their longest streak since dropping seven straight last winter, following a 65-54 Houston win. It was the fewest points for the Irish since they scored 51 in a March loss at North Carolina.
“We just played one of the best teams in the country toe-to-toe for almost 40 minutes,” said Irish coach Micah Shrewsberry. “We’re short-handed right now, but it’s not changing. We need to continue that belief. We need to continue to find different ways to win.
“We can find different ways to have success.”
The game ended Thanksgiving Day at 3:07 a.m. South Bend time.
Playing without Burton, who leads the team in scoring (18.2), assists (4.3) and steals (1.3), Notre Dame’s best chance was to slow pace, limit possessions and grind. One night after 74 possessions and 84 points in the overtime loss to Rutgers, Notre Dame had only 56 possessions against the Cougars, who are ranked eighth nationally for scoring defense (57.6 ppg).
Notre Dame never led and trailed by as many as 11. Houston led for 39:18.
“A really hard team to play on the second night of a back-to-back,” Shrewsberry said. “I thought we did some good things defensively. I thought we moved the ball pretty well for maybe 30 minutes of the game.
“I felt like we wore down at the end.”
After laboring to score 13 points the first 7:11 of the first half, Notre Dame found a flow to close with 18 over the final 12:49. The Irish did it by running much of the offense through junior forward Tae Davis, who was effective with his attack-the-rim attitude, and the outside shooting of Braeden Shrewsberry (16 points).
Notre Dame had chances to make this one interesting but couldn’t make shots. A Davis bucket with 13:40 remaining capped a 7-0 spurt and pulled Notre Dame within one, 45-44. One good possession, one big bucket and the Irish would’ve put some serious game pressure on the Cougars.
Missed shots, turnovers and stifling defensive pressure got to the Irish, who scored one point in an 8:06 stretch without a field goal as Houston extended its led to nine.
The Irish didn’t crack 50 until 1:29 remained.
Among the nine Irish to log minutes, only five scored, led by 22 points to go with eight rebounds and four assists from Davis. Guard Matt Allocco, who often worked as the main handler in place of Burton, scored eight one night after a season high 24.
Sophomore Logan Imes, who played a career-high 35 minutes the previous night, made his first start this season in place of Burton. He scored three points with five rebounds and two assists in 29 minutes.
“We’ll grow from this,” Shrewsberry said. “This game is going to helps us way down the line this season.”
After two games/nights of ridiculously late starts (the Rutgers game tipped Tuesday at 11:20 p.m.), Notre Dame gets two days off. It closes the Players Era Festival play Saturday at 1 p.m. South Bend time (10 a.m. in Las Vegas) in the seventh-place game against No. 19 Creighton, which has lost its PEF games to San Diego State and Texas A&M.
Saturday is the first matchup between Creighton and Notre Dame since November 26, 2002, when guard Kyle Korver (24 points, 10 rebounds) and the Blue Jays beat guard Matt Carroll (20 points, 10 rebounds) and the Irish, 80-75, early in Thanksgiving Week to win the Guardians Classic at historic Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri.
Follow South Bend Tribune and NDInsider columnist Tom Noie on X (formerly Twitter): @tnoieNDI. Contact Noie at [email protected]
SOUTH BEND — The exhibit “Teresa Greve Wolf: Art That Reflects the Times” opens Dec. 2 and continues through Dec. 11 at the Moreau Gallery on the campus of Saint Mary’s College....
SOUTH BEND — The exhibit “Teresa Greve Wolf: Art That Reflects the Times” opens Dec. 2 and continues through Dec. 11 at the Moreau Gallery on the campus of Saint Mary’s College.
Greve Wolf is a Latina painter based in the Midwest. She was born and raised in Santiago, Chile, and immigrated to the United States some 40 years ago with her spouse, who had received a scholarship to study at University of California, Berkeley.
Prior to their move, she had studied painting at the Escuela de Bellas Artes in Santiago.
She has won awards at the Annual Social Justice and Art Exhibit in South Bend and the Art Show International Los Angeles, received commissions from University of Oregon, and has been selected to participate in art shows nationwide.
“As an artist, my mission is to use my art as a reflection of the current social climate,” she says in a press release. “Over the past decade, my work has focused on raising awareness about social injustice and inspiring action. … The aim of my work is to emphasize how we as society are all impacted by injustice, no matter how distanced one may feel from the issue itself, by drawing the viewer into the visual narrative.”
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An opening reception takes place at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 6 in the gallery.
Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and Fridays by appointment.
Admission is free.
For more information, call 574-284-4631, visit teresagrevewolf.com or email [email protected].
Injuries always happened to the other guy.A rolled ankle. An achy foot. A tweaked hamstring. A balky back or a sore shoulder or some ailment was going to keep someone else out of practice, out of a game, out of commission for an extended time.Nothing seemed to ever slow Notre Dame men’s basketball sophomore ...
Injuries always happened to the other guy.
A rolled ankle. An achy foot. A tweaked hamstring. A balky back or a sore shoulder or some ailment was going to keep someone else out of practice, out of a game, out of commission for an extended time.
Nothing seemed to ever slow Notre Dame men’s basketball sophomore guard Markus Burton. Treatment in the trainer’s room? That was for others.
Noie:A late night, a key injury and a near miss for Notre Dame men's basketball in Las Vegas
Often the smallest player on the court at 6 foot, 190 pounds, Burton played with no bother about his height and weight. Those numbers didn’t matter. The numbers he produced did. He'd get the ball up the floor and get punished. He'd get to the hoop and get punished. He’d get around the ball screen and get punished. Through it all, he kept on playing, kept on scoring, kept on keeping on.
Noie:Make room for Notre Dame women's basketball in this season's spotlight after win over USC
Basketball is not supposed to be a contact sport, but Burton absorbed his share of it. He didn’t necessarily crave contact; he craved competition. He was going to keep coming at you, even when his body was battered and bruised. That was Burton, the ultimate competitor.
Burton is out for the foreseeable future − official word from Notre Dame finally arrived around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday − likely for several weeks, with a right knee injury. There was no indication of structural damage, if any. Or surgery, if any. Anyone who saw Burton fall, then saw a Rutgers defender fall on him, less than four minutes into Tuesday’s opening game in the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas knew that this announcement was only a matter of time.
It looked bad. It was bad. It could've been worse.
After Emmanuel Ogbole, a 6-10, 270-pound forward, landed across Burton’s right leg. Burton immediately reached for his right knee. He limped off the floor, limped to the Irish bench, then limped to the locker room where he was examined by team medical staff. For the first time in his brief collegiate career, Burton’s night ended because of injury. He had started – and often finished − the first 38 games of his Notre Dame career.
It might be some time before the 2022 Indiana High School Mr. Basketball and Mishawaka native starts and finishes again.
It took most of Wednesday to finalize a recovery plan and find a place in Las Vegas to have the MRI, which showed the extent of Burton's injury. He's expected to miss several weeks, but is not expected to miss the remainder of the season. He could be back sooner than later, or later than sooner.
The plan − for now − is that he will be back. That may be the best possible outcome given what it could've been. Murky? Sure, but it could've been murkier. Sometimes, no news is good news. Sometimes, some news doesn't demand more news. Like the Irish, sometimes we just all have to move on.
Head coach Micah Shrewsberry talked after Tuesday’s/Wednesday’s game as if he already knew in the back of his coaching mind what Wednesday’s MRI would show. That he’d be without Burton for an extended time. He felt awful for the kid, felt awful for his team. Just felt awful overall. He also knew he owes it to the university, to the program, to college basketball to get the Irish properly prepared to finish the two remaining games in Las Vegas and get them ready to play without Burton for however long they’ll be without Burton.
“There’s no other group of guys, no other locker room I’d rather be in than with our group,” said Shrewsberry. “We might not be as talented as every team that’s out here, but we’re damn sure just as tough and we compete and we execute and going to fight, no matter who’s putting this uniform on.”
The meaning behind his message early Wednesday morning? They’ll find a way to make this work. There’s no other choice. They’re not going to go and snag someone off the waiver wire. This isn’t the NBA. The roster’s the roster. Nobody’s going to feel sorry for Notre Dame now that it has lost its best player, so there’s no use of Notre Dame feeling sorry for itself.
What makes Burton’s injury more difficult to digest is that the Irish just ventured down this road this month with a young point guard. Losing Burton should’ve/would’ve cleared the way for freshman Sir Mohammed, a top 50 recruit, to step into that spot and kickstart his college experience. That would’ve been a great story.
Except Mohammed also is out for an indefinite time after undergoing surgery earlier this month for a, wait for it, lower body injury. Mohammed had been bothered by a sore left knee since arriving in June.
He might be back by January. He might be back by February. He might not be back until summer.
No Burton and no Mohammed means Notre Dame presses on without its two best point guards. Against Rutgers, sophomore reserve Logan Imes, who was a DNP-CD (did not play, coach’s decision), in last week’s home loss to Elon, was pressed into major-minute duty. Imes scored a season high eight points and played a career high 35 minutes.
Imes may not be ready for this role, but there’s no choice. He must play it. He must handle even more. He must do more. There’s nobody that Shrewsberry has more belief in than Imes. Matt Allocco will have to do more. Tae Davis, who already does plenty, must add point-forward duties to his workload.
On Tuesday, Allocco led the Irish with 24 points, He made six 3s. He had 10 rebounds and five assists. He may not be capable of posting those numbers every night, but someone somewhere on the Irish roster will have to do something similar for the Irish to have a chance.
The offense of this season looked for stretches Tuesday like the offense of last season without Burton. Clunky. Cluttered. Disconnected. Unsure.
Notre Dame lost the one player it couldn’t afford to lose to max out this season. That can’t mean a lost season.
This was supposed to be a season where we were going to see an even better Burton, one that he planned to cut down on his turnovers, boost his efficiency numbers, prove even further that he is at an elite level.
All that is on hold. For how long is anyone’s guess. Burton fell Tuesday night, and he’s not getting back up anytime soon. But he will be back.
Follow South Bend Tribune and NDInsider columnist Tom Noie on X (formerly Twitter): @tnoieNDI. Contact Noie at [email protected]
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