12. Foxes in the Den

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Friday night represents a new opportunity and chance to get back out on the home floor and compete. Friday night represents a chance to write a new narrative for this young Notre Dame men’s basketball. On Friday night inside Purcell Pavilion, the Fighting Irish (4-7) will host the Marist Red Foxes (7-2) at 8 p.m. ET on the ACC Network.

HOLIDAY HOOPS WITH MARIST

Notre Dame and Marist have only met twice before Friday with the Irish claiming victory in both. It’s been a hot minute before the two have met though. You have to go back to December 22, 2004, when ND won 88-73.

Marist enters the contest with a 7-2 overall record and riding a five-game win streak which includes victories over Bucknell, Iona, Manhattan, Dartmouth and Maryland Eastern Shore.

The Red Foxes rank 10th in scoring defense (60.4) and 16th in 3PT Percentage defense (.272). Individually, two players average double figures – Max Allen II (12.2 ppg) and Josh Pascarelli (10.4 ppg).

HITTING THE MARK

Freshman point guard Markus Burton has certainly been an early season standout, as his stats are up there with the top freshmen in the country. To help you get more acquainted, read up on the following:

• His 15.5 ppg leads all ACC freshmen and ranks 6th nationally amongst DI freshmen.
• If the season ended today, Burton’s 15.5 ppg would rank 5th in the ND freshman record book ahead of Blake Wesley. The four in front of him – Chris Thomas, David Rivers, Adrian Dantley and Troy Murphy.
• Burton started his career with five straight games in double figures. He now leads the team with nine games in double figures.
• Burton picked up his third game of 20 or more points at #8 Marquette on Dec. 9. The following is a list of the most 20-point games by an Irish freshman: Adrian Dantley (13 in ‘73-74), Troy Murphy (10 in ‘98-99) and David Rivers (10 in ‘84-85).
• Only 3 freshmen in the country are averaging over 15 points and 3.5 assists per game: Burton, Harvard’s Malik Mack and USC’s Isaiah Collier.
• He ranks 9th in the ACC in Assists (3.6), 13th in scoring and 13th in FT% (.818).

D-UP!

If you are looking for an early Coach Shrewsberry stamp on the program, look no further than the defensive effort by this young Irish squad. In seven of the last eight games, the Irish have allowed 65 points or fewer in regulation. Most notably, limiting the Hurricanes to a season low in points – 24 points fewer than their season average of 86 points per game.

Notre Dame’s scoring defense of 67.5 ranks 5th in the ACC.

HOME STATS

The Georgetown game on Dec. 16 kicked off a six-game homestand for the Irish. The last time the Irish had six straight inside Purcell Pavilion -> games 2-7 at the start of the 2019-20 season.

Two Irish in particular have thrived at home – Markus Burton and Julian Roper II – both averaging double figures. Burton is scoring 17.5 ppg on 44.2 percent shooting, while Roper II checks in at 10.8 ppg on 48.8 percent shooting. Burton is also averaging 4.2 assists at home.

#TRENDING

Burton has produced a stellar four-game stretch, totaling 67 points (16.8 ppg). He scored 17 points against Western Michigan and 20 points at #8 Marquette. Then he came on strong late in the Georgetown game, scoring 12 of his 17 points in the second half plus overtime.

Burton has also upped his assist numbers as of late. He’s dished out 31 over the last seven games (4.4 apg in that span).

J.R. Konieczny has been a bright spot during the non-conference season. The junior has recorded double-digit points in 6 of the last 9 games. If you take out those first two games of the season and look at this 9-game stretch, Konieczny is averaging 12.0 points.

Konieczny is coming off an 18-point, 10-rebound, double-double. Over the last two games: 31 points and 18 rebounds.

— ND —