28. Final Week At Home Starts With Wake Forest on Tuesday

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The words around this Notre Dame men’s basketball program down the final stretch have been ‘culture taking shape’ and ‘late-season growth’. The Irish won three straight and then nearly pulled off one of the biggest comebacks in college basketball history, rallying down 29 at Syracuse to ultimately lose by three (88-85).

The Fighting Irish will have little time to regroup when fourth-place Wake Forest rolls into town with their 10-6 league record (18-9 overall) and fresh off an 83-79 victory over No. 8 Duke. The Demon Deacons are a flawless 8-0 at home, but are just 2-6 on the road in league play.

Notre Dame holds a slight 8-7 edge over Wake Forest in the overall series with a 5-1 record at home. The Demon Deacons have won two in a row in the series, including last season’s 81-64 victory in Winston-Salem. The two haven’t clashed in Purcell since Feb. 2, 2021, when ND took it 79-58.

Hunter Sallis ranks 3rd in the ACC in scoring with his 18.7 ppg and 4th in field goal percentage with his 51.4 percent. Also averaging double figures are Kevin Miller (15.5), Andrew Carr (13.7) and Cameron Hildreth (13.5). As a team, Wake Forest averages 79.6 ppg (3rd in ACC), shooting 47.8 percent from the field (2nd in ACC). They lead the league in free-throw percentage at 80.2 percent.

TALE OF TWO HALVES AT SYRACUSE

It would have been the greatest comeback in not just school history but by an ACC member institution as well, but Notre Dame fell a possession short at Syracuse on Feb. 24. Syracuse forced 11 early turnovers and shot 61 percent from the field to go up 29 points late in the first half. Notre Dame then closed the half on a 9-0 run to make it a 20-point game. Then magic happened in the second half.

The Irish scored a season-high 56 points in the second half. That’s the most points the program has ever scored in a half of any ACC game. Notre Dame shot 68.8 percent from the field and 66.7 percent (10-of-15) from three. The Irish made five straight shots to slice into a deficit that was 10 (82-72) with 4:12 remaining to get within three, 86-83, with 1:07 left. Both Shrewsberry and Burton had cracks at a three-point attempt to tie but both fell short.

Burton and Shrewsberry scored 20 and 18 points respectively in the second half, thus 38 of the team’s 56 points. Shrewsberry hit all six of his three-pointers in the second half.

BURTON LEAVING A FRESHMAN YEAR LEGACY

Freshman guard Markus Burton is grabbing the attention of Irish fans, ACC opponents and the national media, but what’s crazy about it all is that he’s doing something that has never been done before in the history of the program.

Burton is currently averaging over 16.0 points, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals. If that stat line holds up upon season’s end, he’ll be the first player to put up those numbers in Notre Dame history (aka at least 16 points, 4 assists and 2 steals).

Chris Thomas would be the closest one to that with his 15.6 points, 7.6 assists and 2.2 steals for the 2001-02 season.

ACC ROOKIE OF THE YEAR?

Point guard Markus Burton has proven himself to be one of the most dynamic freshman guards in the country. Here are some quick hitters for those who aren’t acquainted with the local standout from Mishawaka:

• His 16.7 ppg leads all ACC freshmen, with the next highest being Duke’s Jared McCain at 13.6.
• Ranks 4th nationally amongst DI freshmen.
• ACC freshman rankings: 1st in scoring, 2nd in assists/game (4.3), 1st in steals/game (2.0).
• Double-digit points in all but 2 games. He’s currently riding a 20-game streak.
• He’s scored at least 16 points in 7 straight games.
• Overall rankings: 9th in the ACC in scoring, 5th in Assists (4.3), 4th in Steals (2.0), 9th in FT% (.812).
• League play only rankings: 2.3 steals (1st), 5.0 assists (3rd), 16.5 points (8th).
• Produced two games with 15+ point, 5+ assists, 5+ steals. Since 1996, only one other Irish player had produced two games in the same regular season with at least 15 points, 5 assists and 5 steals- his name was Chris Thomas.
• Averaging 8.9 points in the 2nd half – has scored double-digit points 11 times in the 2nd half alone this season.
• Averaging 17.1 points at home.
• 53 steals (6 away from cracking the program top-10 for a season); 2.0 spg — would become just the 4th player in program history to average 2 spg in a season (Chris Thomas, David Rivers, Jerian Grant).
• Three-time ACC Rookie of the Week – ties Blake Wesley for most at ND.

1ST YEAR STAMP ON THE PROGRAM – DEFENSE

The year one Coach Shrewsberry stamp on the program has been the defensive intensity. 16 games and 12 different ACC opponents – all but one (Syracuse on Feb. 24) held under their season average, with Miami, Duke and Louisville each held to season low point totals.

Of the 16 ACC matchups that have already happened, only 4 opponents have reached the 70-point park against the Irish defense.

Notre Dame’s scoring defense of 65.6 has risen to 26th in the country, plus 2nd in the ACC. According to KenPom, Notre Dame’s defensive efficiency ranks 33rd nationally.

In ACC play only, Notre Dame ranks 2nd in scoring defense (64.6) and 2nd in field goal percentage defense (.414).

BURTON WINS 3RD ACC ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

Burton has now tied Blake Wesley for most ACC Rookie of the Week awards with three. He earned his third on Feb. 26 after averaging 22.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.0 steals in a 1-1 week for the Irish. After scoring 16 points in the win at Louisville, Burton was a man-possessed in the 2nd half at Syracuse. The freshman scored 20 points in the 2nd half, where he shot 8-of-13 from the field, which included two treys. Burton finished with 28 points, one shy of his career high, plus a career-high tying 8 assists.

Markus Burton won his second ACC Rookie of the Week award on Feb. 12 after pouring in a team best 19 points then posting an incredible stat line in the win over Virginia Tech. Burton balled out with 16 points, a season high tying eight assists and a season best six steals – as the latter tied for the third most steals in a single game in program history. Since 1996, only two other Irish have finished with at least 16 points, eight assists and six steals in a game – Chris Thomas in 2001 and Jerian Grant in 2013.

FRESHMAN RECORD WATCH

We are officially on Burton freshman scoring record watch as we head into the final stretch of the season. The freshman guard enters Tuesday’s matchup with 450 points on the season – which already puts him in the No. 6 spot. Next up is No. 5 David Rivers and his 474 points. To get to No. 1 Troy Murphy’s 519, Burton would have to average 16.2 points over the next six games.

From a scoring average perspective, Burton’s 16.2 ppg ranks 3rd all-time behind Troy Murphy (19.2) and Adrian Dantley (18.3).

ANOTHER FRESHMAN IN THE RECORD BOOKS

Markus Burton won’t be the only freshman leaving his name in the ND record book this season after Braeden Shrewsberry continues to light it up from three.

Let’s first start with his prolific performance at Louisville on Feb. 21. Shrewsberry tied the program single-game record for made three-pointers by a freshman after draining seven against the Cardinals. He tied the likes of Pat Connaughton, Chris Thomas and Ryan Hoover. Shrews’ 23 points marked his second-highest points total on the season.

Then there’s the fact that Shrewsberry has knocked down 50 three-pointers in ACC games this season. He is just one three-pointer away from tying the program record for most threes in an ACC season set by Prentiss Hubb, Matt Farrell and V.J. Beachem.

FWIW – those 50 threes in ACC play are tied for the third most this season and sit six behind Blake Hinson of Pitt for the most.

Lastly, Shrewsbery is shooting 45.0 percent from deep in ACC play – that number would rank 4th all-time in ACC program history.

SHREWSBERRY’S HOT HAND

• Braeden Shrewsberry has secured 10 double-digit scoring performances over the last 13 games.
• Overall on the year: team best 2.5 made threes/game – ranks 7th in the ACC. His 2.5 made threes ranks 2nd nationally amongst DI freshmen.
• Shrewsberry’s 3.4 made threes/game since Jan. 1 ranks 10th amongst all DI players of any class.
• He’s now averaging 11.8 points in ACC play (2nd most on team), shooting 43.8 percent from the field & 45.0 percent from deep – latter ranks 3rd amongst ACC players. Also averaging 3.1 made threes/game in league play – ranks 3rd.

YOUNG BUT NOT AFRAID

Two young freshman guards in Burton and Shrewsberry have proven they aren’t afraid of a hostile environment. In true road games, Burton and Shrewsberry are averaging 16.2 points and 13.4 points, respectively.

Most recently for Burton – 28 points at Syracuse, 16 points at Louisville, 17 points at Pitt, 19 points at Duke.

For Shrewsberry, we’ve already mentioned his 18 points in the 2nd half at Syracuse and his 23-point showing at Louisville with seven made threes. Both of those were outdone by his season high 25-point effort in the OT win at Georgia Tech. He’s averaging 3.4 made threes/game in road games.

#TRENDING

Here are some other under-the-radar stats to keep an eye out for this week.

• Braeden Shrewsberry has made 5 straight starts – averaging 13.8 points – 4.2 made threes per game.
• Shrewsberry has produced 13 three-pointers in back-to-back games. That’s tied for third most in program history for back-to-back games. After his seven made threes performance at Louisville, Shrewsberry came out in the 2nd half at Syracuse and knocked down six.
• Tae Davis has made 20 of his last 23 from the free-throw line, raising his percentage from .618 to its current .692.
• Davis also recorded his 9th game in double figures this past Saturday at Syracuse with 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting. His 7 rebounds were the most since Jan. 9.
• Carey Booth has produced back-to-back games with 9 points, shooting a combined 8-13 FG. It marks the most points and made field goals since his 17-point performance against Virginia on Dec. 30.
• In addition, Booth has made 10 of his last 14 from two-point range.
• Team-wise – Notre Dame has secured four straight games with double-digit assists, marking the best stretch of the season.

IN YOUR BAG

Speaking of trending, Markus Burton has ratcheted up his defensive intensity down the final stretch. The starting point guard is now up to 53 steals (6 away from cracking the program top-10 for a season).

He’s averaging 2.0 spg. If that holds, he would become just the 4th player in program history to average 2.0 spg in a season (Chris Thomas, David Rivers, Jerian Grant).

His 2.0 steals per game ranks 4th in the ACC. Furthermore, his 2.3 steals/game in league play leads all ACC players.

BOARDS BATTLE

One of Notre Dame’s greatest strengths this season has been its rebounding. In ACC play, the Irish rank 2nd in rebounding (37.0) and 3rd in rebound margin (+3.6). In addition, they rank 4th in both offensive (10.1) rebounds per game and 3rd in defensive 26.9).

The Irish are 9-7 this season when outrebounding their opponent.

And it’s been a total team effort on the rebounding front. Get this, Konieczny, Booth, Davis and Njie all lead with the same defensive rebounds average – 3.5 per game.

Njie leads the team in rebounding (5.6) and in offensive boards (2.1) as the latter ranks 14th in the ACC. Davis ranks 2nd in rebounding (5.2) and 2nd in O-boards (1.6).

— ND —