20. Irish Look To Take Flight Vs. Eagles

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Notre Dame men’s basketball team will look to get over the hump and take flight on Saturday, Jan. 27, when the Fighting Irish (7-12, 2-6) host the Eagles (11-8, 2-6) of Boston College. The Irish have suffered five tough losses in January in which the average margin of defeat has been just 7.0. This Saturday marks a revenge game from a loss at Boston College back on Jan. 15.

Saturday’s Coaches vs Cancer game will tip off at Noon ET on ESPNU. The Irish will be donning special shoes drawn by local artist and Notre Dame Class of 2028 admittee Jerry Barca. Each scholarship player got to choose what design or theme he wanted on his pair of UA shoes.

BC AND ND CLASH AGAIN

Notre Dame will play Boston College for the second time in three games due to the unique eight-day bye week. The Eagles arrive in South Bend with an 11-8 record and matching 2-6 record in ACC play. When the two met on Jan. 15, BC took the contest 63-59.

The game featured 17 lead changes, with the Irish producing a lead as large as 12 in the first half, and a lead of six with five minutes remaining in the game.

It was really a tale of two halves for Notre Dame. In the first, Notre Dame shot 51.9 percent from the field and was 6-of-12 from three, compared to Boston College’s 33.3 percent from the floor. The Irish also outrebounded the Eagles 22-13 and only turned the ball over four times. In the second, Notre Dame shot 29.2 percent and coughed it up 10 times.

With all that said, the Irish produced a late flurry and had a shot for the lead with 10 seconds left in the game, but Carey Booth’s three-point attempt rimmed out.

Standouts in that game include Carey Booth, who earned a career-high 13 rebounds – 10 of which were defensive boards. Markus Burton tallied 15 points in the first half to finish with 19. Plus Braeden Shrewsberry poured in 12 points.

1ST YEAR STAMP ON THE PROGRAM – DEFENSE

The year one Coach Shrewsberry stamp on the program has been the vast improvement defensively from this young Irish squad.

The Irish held all seven of its ACC opponents to under their season averages, with Miami and Duke being held to season lows at that point in time. Miami on Jan. 24, was the first opponent since Dec. 16 (eight-game streak) to score above 70 points, finishing with 73.

With that said, Notre Dame’s scoring defense of 65.5 ranks 2nd in the ACC and 40th in the country. According to KenPom, Notre Dame’s defensive efficiency ranks 45th nationally.

In ACC play only, Notre Dame ranks 2nd in scoring defense (63.5), field goal percentage defense (.386) and three-point field goal percentage defense (.309).

Lastly, how does this year’s defense match up historically? According to Stats Inc which goes back to the 1996-97 season, ND’s 65.5 ranks 4th.

HITTING THE MARK

Point guard Markus Burton has put his name amongst the top freshmen in the country with his stellar play thus far. For those who aren’t acquainted with the local standout from Mishawaka, here are some quick hitters:

• His 16.3 ppg leads all ACC freshmen and ranks 4th nationally amongst DI freshmen.
• He is 1-of-4 players in the ACC averaging over 16 points and 3.5 assists.
• If the season ended today, Burton’s 16.3 ppg would rank 3rd all-time in the ND freshman record book. The two in front of him – Adrian Dantley (18.3) and Troy Murphy (19.2).
• Double-digit points in all but 2 games. He’s riding a current 12-game streak
• Burton picked up his 5th game of 20 or more points against Florida State on Jan. 13. 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).
• Ranks 10th in the ACC in scoring, 8th in Assists (3.9), 13th in steals (1.4) and 13th in FT% (.818).
• Averaging 4.8 assists in ACC play which ranks 3rd. Also averaging 15.4 points in league action.

SHREWSBERRY’S HOT HAND

Braeden Shrewsberry has been hitting his stride as of late. He’s recorded four double-digit scoring performances over the last five games, averaging 13.4 points – 2nd highest to Burton in that span. He’s 15-of-33 (.455) from three and shooting 23-of-49 overall (.469).

One of those double-digit scoring games was when Shrewsberry put the team on his back with a season best 25 points in the OT win at Georgia Tech. He connected on a season high five made three pointers.

He’s now averaging 10.1 points in ACC play (2nd most on team), shooting 40.9 percent from the field and 39.6 percent from deep. Shrewsberry is averaging 2.4 made threes/game in league play which ranks 8th.

NOTABLES

It might not have shown on the last box score but Julian Roper II certainly gave the Irish a spark againt Miami on Jan. 24. There was a two-minute stretch in which the junior guard drained a three, took a charge and soon after recorded a block.

Another unsung hero – Logan Imes, who has recorded three straight games, aka 50 minutes, without a turnover.

Lastly, J.R. Konieczny continues to empty his tank on the court. The junior is averaging 10.0 points and 5.5 rebounds in ACC play, shooting 42.9 percent from the floor and 45.9 percent from three-point range.

THIS CLOSE

Consider this section a part two to the defensive note one page prior. Because of the defensive effort, Notre Dame’s 2-6 ACC record could easily be 4-4 or even 5-3. For Notre Dame’s last five losses – so looking at January (Miami, BC, FSU, Duke and NC State) – the average margin of defeat was 7.0 points.

In both the NC State and Boston College games, Notre Dame boasted a lead as large as 12 points in the first half. Against Duke, the Irish built a lead as large as nine.

Ultimately second half starts or finishes have been the difference maker. NC State ended the game on a 19-6 run to win by two. Duke started the second half on a 12-6 run. Both FSU and BC started the second half on identical 8-0 runs. Miami recorded a late 17-2 run to push ahead down the final stretch.

— ND —