5. Maryland Eastern Shore

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Fresh off a confidence-boosting overtime win over Oklahoma State, the Notre Dame men’s basketball team will return home for one game when they host Maryland Eastern Shore on Wednesday, Nov. 22. The Fighting Irish (2-2) will tip off against the Hawks (2-2) at 7 p.m. ET. Fans not in attendance can catch the action online on ACCNX.

LEGENDS CLASSIC TAKEAWAYS

There were a couple of Irish standouts from two games in Brooklyn during the Legends Classic. First, let’s look at All-Tournament Team selection Markus Burton. The freshman took over the end of the Oklahoma State game scoring 16 of his team-high 20 points in the second half plus overtime (10 in 2H + 6 in OT). He averaged 16.0 points over the two games.

Next, it was a breakout week for J.R. Konieczny, as he produced back-to-back double-doubles, averaging 14.5 points and 10.5 rebounds. He also earned his first career start in the win over Oklahoma State (11/17). J.R. entered the Legends Classic week with 15 points and three rebounds to his name through eight career ND games. Then over those two games, he produced a total of 29 points and 21 rebounds. J.R. constantly attacked the offensive glass, grabbing eight O-Boards over the two games.

Last but not least, there was Tae Davis who averaged 10.0 points on 57.1 percent shooting (8-14 FG), along with 5.0 rebounds per game. Davis recorded a career-high 13 points against the Auburn Tigers.

HITTING THE MARK(US)

Everyone is starting to take notice of freshman point guard Markus Burton. To help you get more acquainted, read up on the following stats:

• His 19.5 ppg ranks as the 4th highest by a DI freshman and tops all ACC freshmen.
• Overall his scoring average ranks 6th in the ACC.
• Burton has started his career with five straight games in double figures. He still has a ways to go if he wants to break the freshman record for most to start your Irish career. Here are the top-3: Troy Murphy (12 in ‘98-99), Laphonso Ellis (9 in ‘88-89) and Adrian Dantley (8 in ‘73-74).
• Burton picked up his second game of 20 or more points against Oklahoma St on Nov. 17. 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).

CLUTCH DOWN THE STRETCH

Speaking of Burton, he was clutch down the stretch in the win over Oklahoma State. As previously mentioned, he scored 10 points in the second half and then six in overtime.

Burton has really found another gear in the second half. The Oklahoma State game was his second double-digit scoring effort in a second half – he previously recorded 18 in the 2nd half vs. Niagara. All-in-all, he’s totaled 40 2nd half-points this season (10.0 ppg).

HISTORIC DEBUT FOR BURTON

Not only did freshman point guard Markus Burton ball out in a historic debut in the season opener, but he got to do it in front of his hometown crowd and family. Burton poured in 29 points to lift the Irish to a 70-63 win over Niagara, marking the most points in program history in a freshman debut. The previous record was 27 points from Laphonso Ellis back in 1988. Now a few other notes on Burton’s performance.

• 1-of-5 freshmen in the history of the program to score 29 points or more, joining David Graves, Troy Murphy, Chris Thomas and Adrian Dantley.
• Burton absolutely took over the end of the game. From 8:38-2:20 in the second half, Burton recorded 16 points on 6-for-6 shooting.
• Burton’s 29 points is the 2nd highest from a DI freshman this season (only behind Harvard’s Malik Mack’s 32).

TABLE OR BOOTH

• In terms of ACC freshmen, Booth’s scoring average ranks 4th.
• The Colorado native went off against Western Carolina (11/11) with a team high 20 points. There was a three-possession stint in the second half in which he hit three three-pointers in a row.
• With that said, Booth is Notre Dame’s best three-point shooter. He leads the team in made threes per game (1.8) and 3PT FG% (.412).

STARTING ON THE RIGHT NOTE

Notre Dame’s most recent game – the win over Oklahoma State – was the first time this season the Irish not only led at the half, but also didn’t succumb to a double-digit deficit in the first half.

First with Niagara – the Irish had a cold shooting start and faced a 12-point deficit at the 11:20 mark. Notre Dame rallied to cut it to one, down 30-29 at the half. Notre Dame then found its touch in the second half where they shot 57.7 percent and outscored Niagara 41-33 for the win.

It was another slow start in game two, falling behind 13 points to Western Carolina at the half and facing a deficit as large as 17 early in the second half. Despite that, Notre Dame fought back with a 15-3 run to cut the deficit all the way to one possession, down 60-57. The Cats ultimately took the contest though, 71-61.

Game three – same story – Auburn built a lead as large as 15 in the first half and the Irish had a late flurry to cut it to six by halftime. Of course, the second half had the same script as the Tigers ran away from it.

THREE THE KEY?

Last year at Penn State, Shrewsberry’s team set both the school and Big Ten single-season record for three-pointers made with 385. The previous Big Ten record for three-pointers in a season was 365, which was set by Purdue in 2018-19. FWIW, the ACC record is 407 by Duke in 2001.

Notre Dame has been off to a cold start from beyond the arc, entering this week’s contest shooting 22.3 percent from three. At the Legends Classic, the Irish went 2-for-26 from three in the loss to Auburn. However, they bounced back with an 8-for-25 effort against Oklahoma State. The eight treys tied for a season-best.

ROPED INTO A (SCORING) SITUATION

During the preseason when a media member pointed out that not a single member of the roster averaged more than five points per game a year ago, Coach Shrewsberry simply replied, ‘Well we are going to score more than 12 points per game. Players will step up.’ One of those people making the most of his opportunity – Julian Roper II.

He tied his career high of 12 points in the win over Oklahoma State (11/17). Roper also tied his season high of eight rebounds.

Through two weeks of play, Roper is averaging the third most points (8.8) and second most rebounds (5.5) on the team.

— ND —