21. Going For A Program First

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – In front of the Notre Dame men’s basketball team is an opportunity to accomplish something that no other Irish team has done before them – secure a season sweep of Virginia and get the win inside JPJ Arena. Thus, the Fighting Irish are looking for their first win in Charlottesville, entering Wednesday’s matchup 0-8 all-time. If the Irish were to knock off the Cavaliers, it would also bring down the nation’s longest home winning streak, with UVA winning 21 straight (11-0 this season) inside JPJ.

Notre Dame and Virginia will clash on Wednesday, Jan. 31, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

CAN YOU REBOTTLE LIGHTNING

Can the Irish offense recapture lightning in a bottle? Back on Dec. 30, in what was their second league game, Notre Dame rolled to a dominant 76-54 victory over Virginia. The 76 points were the most scored by Notre Dame all-time in the 21-game series against the Cavaliers. In addition, the Irish handed Virginia its biggest loss to an ACC opponent since 2017 (65-41 loss to No. 10 UNC on Feb. 18, 2017).

Virginia has certainly bounced back with a 6-3 league record, good for third place in the ACC. UVA enters Wednesday’s contest as the winners of four straight, defeating Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, NC State and Louisville.

The matchup will feature the top two defenses in the ACC. Virginia is allowing just 57.7 ppg compared to Notre Dame’s 65.3.

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.

Nine games and seven different ACC opponents – held under their season averages in every single contest, with Miami and Duke being held to season lows at that point in time. Since Dec. 16, only Miami on Jan. 24 has been able to score above 70 points.

With that said, Notre Dame’s scoring defense of 65.3 ranks 2nd in the ACC and 35th in the country. According to KenPom, Notre Dame’s defensive efficiency ranks 42nd nationally.

In ACC play only, Notre Dame ranks 2nd in scoring defense (63.2), 2nd in field goal percentage defense (.391) and 3rd in three-point field goal percentage defense (.319).

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 16.0 ppg leads all ACC freshmen, with the next highest being Georgia Tech’s Baye Ndongo at 13.3.
• Ranks 4th nationally amongst DI freshmen.
• 1-of-4 ACC players averaging over 16 points and 3.5 assists.
• If the season ended today, Burton’s 16.0 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 13-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, 7th in Assists (4.1) and 11th in steals (1.5).
• Averaging 5.0 assists in ACC play which ranks 4th. Also averaging 14.8 points in league action.

SHREWSBERRY’S HOT HAND

Braeden Shrewsberry has really hit his stride in January. He’s recorded five double-digit scoring performances over the last six games, averaging 13.5 points – second highest to Burton in that span. He’s 19-of-42 (.452) from three and shooting 28-of-61 overall (.459).

He’s hit multiple treys in six straight games averaging 3.2 makes/game – that’s the third highest average in the ACC during that time span of Jan. 6-present day. His 19 three-pointers are the 4th most in that span.

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 10.6 points in ACC play (T-2nd most on team), shooting 41.0 percent from the field. He’s also shooting 40.4 percent from deep, which ranks 5th. Lastly, he averages 2.6 made threes/game, which ranks 7th.

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. He also took on the second half assignment of locking down Omier.
• Another unsung hero – Logan Imes and his ability to protect the basketball. He’s logged 66 minutes of game time over the last four games and just one turnover to show for it.
• Lastly, J.R. Konieczny continues to empty his tank on the court. The junior is averaging 10.6 points and 5.8 rebounds in ACC play. He’s recorded 57 points over the last five games (11.4 ppg). which has included four double-digit scoring performances. Plus, he’s converted multiple treys in four straight games.

THIS CLOSE

Because of the defensive effort of this young team, Notre Dame has been in every single league contest and their 2-7 ACC record doesn’t reflect it. Looking at January alone (BC x2, Miami, FSU, Duke and NC State) – the average margin of defeat in those six losses has been 6.3.

In both Boston College games, the Irish had a three-point attempt to either tie or win the game in the closing seconds.

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.

Overall on the season, Notre Dame has played in 11 games in which the margin of victory was 10 points or less and have gone 4-7. Diving deeper, the Irish are 2-4 in games decided by five points or less.

BOARDS BATTLE

Team-wise, ND’s rebounding numbers and rankings have risen as of late. In league play, the Irish rank 2nd in rebounding (39.4), and overall they rank 5th (37.4).

J.R. Konieczny leads the team in double-doubles (4) and defensive rebounds/game (4.1). He ranks 2nd in rebounding (5.8).

Tae Davis is averaging 2.0 offensive rebounds/game in league play. Overall on the year, he ranks 2nd on the team in said category at 1.8.

Kebba Njie leads the team in rebounding (6.0) and offensive rebounds/game (2.1). In ACC-play, he’s averaging 7.1 rebounds/game, 2.1 O-Reb/game (ranks 11th) and 5.0 D-Reb/game (ranks 14th).

The Irish are 6-5 on the year when out-rebounding their opponent.

— ND —