22. Out of the Pitt

PITTSBURGH – The Notre Dame men’s basketball team begins leg two of their three-game road swing with a trip to Pittsburgh this weekend. The Fighting Irish (7-14, 2-8) look to stop a five-game skid when they challenge the Panthers (13-8, 4-6) at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, Feb. 3, on the ACC Network.

NOTRE DAME AT PITT

Notre Dame holds an 8-4 advantage over Pitt while in the ACC. Interesting to point out that the last four times the Irish have visited the Petersen Events Center, it’s been a wire-to-wire close affair.

ND 68 – Pitt 67 — Dec. 28, 2021

ND 53 – Pitt 56 — March 9, 2019

ND 78 – Pitt 77 in OT — Dec. 31, 2016

ND 72 – Pitt 76 — Jan. 31, 2015

Saturday’s matchup will feature the top two freshmen in the ACC in scoring with Notre Dame’s Markus Burton (16.0 ppg) and Pitt’s Carlton Carrington (13.6 ppg).

The Panthers have won three of their last four with victories over Duke, Georgia Tech and Wake Forest. Their three best statistical categories are blocks per game (23rd in the nation, 5.0/game), three-pointers per game (33rd, 9.3/game) and turnovers per game (21st, 9.8/game).

1ST YEAR STAMP ON THE PROGRAM – DEFENSE

The year one Coach Shrewsberry stamp on the program has been the defensive intensity of this young Irish squad. Ten games and seven different ACC opponents have all been held under their season averages in every single contest, with Miami and Duke being held to season lows.

Furthermore, 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 36th in the country. According to KenPom, Notre Dame’s defensive efficiency ranks 49th nationally. In ACC play only, Notre Dame ranks 2nd in scoring defense (63.4), 2nd in field goal percentage defense (.397) and 5th in three-point field goal percentage defense (.343).

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 Pitt’s Carlton Carrington at 13.6.
• Ranks 4th nationally amongst DI freshmen.
• 1-of-2 ACC players averaging over 16 points and 4.0 assists.
• Double-digit points in all but 2 games. He’s currently riding a 14-game streak – averaging 16.6 ppg in that span.
• Ranks 10th in the ACC in scoring, 7th in Assists (4.1) and 11th in steals (1.5).
• Averaging 4.9 assists in ACC play which ranks 4th. Also averaging 15.0 points & 1.7 steals, as the latter ranks 5th.
• 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).

SHREWSBERRY’S HOT HAND

Braeden Shrewsberry is hitting his stride and flashing his potential. The freshman has secured six double-digit scoring performances over the last seven games, averaging 13.9 points – second highest to Burton in that span. He’s 23-of-50 from three as his 46.0 percent ranks 4th in the league in that timeframe (min 30 attempts)

Get this – since Jan. 6, Shrewsberry is averaging 3.3 made threes per game, which leads the entire ACC in that timeframe. Plus, that number ranks 8th amongst all Power-Five players in that span.

He’s hit multiple treys in seven straight games and has recorded back-to-back games with at least four made three-pointers.

He’s now averaging 11.1 points in ACC play (second most on the team), while shooting 42.7 percent from the field & 41.5 percent from beyond the arc – ranks third. Lastly, he averages 2.7 made threes/game in league play, which ranks fourth.

ANOTHER FRESHMAN TRENDING

He might be flying under the radar right now but keep an eye on another freshman in Logan Imes. The Indiana native made his first collegiate start on Jan. 31 at Virginia, recording a stat line of three points, five rebounds, three assists and one turnover.

Looking at the last five games in particular, he’s logged 96 minutes on the court and has just two turnovers to show for it.

IN YOUR BAG

Markus Burton has been leading this young Irish squad all season offensively. As of late, he’s now ratcheted up the defensive intensity. The 5-11 guard has collected seven steals over the last two games. He now averages a team-best 1.6 steals per game, which ranks seventh in the ACC. His 1.7 steals/game in league play ranks fifth.

THIS CLOSE

Because of the defensive effort of this young team, Notre Dame has been in every single league contest and their 2-8 ACC record doesn’t reflect it. This young squad is simply trying to learn how to get over that final hump in the second half.

Looking at January (Virginia, BC x2, Miami, FSU, Duke and NC State) – the average margin of defeat in those seven losses was 7.1.

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 has gone 4-7. Diving deeper, the Irish are 2-4 in games decided by five points or less.

In three of those losses (Boston College, Duke and Virginia), the Irish finished the game with both a higher shooting percentage and rebounding total, with turnovers being costly.

BOARDS BATTLE

Team-wise, ND’s rebounding numbers have been solid and near the top of the league. In ACC play, the Irish rank second in rebounding (38.3) and second in rebound margin (+4.5).

J.R. Konieczny (4) and Tae Davis (3) have combined for seven double-doubles on the year.  Konieczny leads the team in rebounding (5.9) and defensive rebounds/game (4.1). Kebba Njie co-leads the team in rebounding (5.9) and leads in offensive rebounds/game (2.1) as well.

— ND —