Game Thread | Toledo at Notre Dame

Toledo (3-1) at Notre Dame (4-1)

Date: November 21st

Time: 8:30 p.m. ET

Where: Purcell Pavilion | Notre Dame, Ind.

TV:  ACC Network

ACC Standings

Quick Facts 

- The Irish and Rockets will meet for the sixth time on Thursday. Notre Dame leads the series 4-1. 

- Thursday night’s game with Toledo will mark the 75th game against current members of the Mid-American Conference in Notre Dame history. The Irish are 55-19 all-time against the MAC.

- Notre Dame is currently ranked tied for third in the country in personal fouls per game (11.0).

- Forward John Mooney is fourth in the country and leads the ACC in rebounding as of November 17.

THE STARTERS

Notre Dame

Toledo

Preview

Points Per Game
Notre Dame: 74.6
Toledo: 88.8

Opponent Points Per Game
Notre Dame: 60.0
Toledo: 68.3

FG%
Notre Dame: 42.3%
Toledo: 51.7%

Rebounds Per Game
Notre Dame: 40.8
Toledo: 38.8

Assists Per Game
Notre Dame: 16.6
Toledo: 17.3

Blocks Per Game
Notre Dame: 3.0
Toledo: 3.3

Steals Per Game
Notre Dame: 7.6
Toledo: 7.8

It might look like the Irish should cruise when fans see Toledo on the schedule, but that’s not the case as Notre Dame will have its hands full on Thursday night at Purcell Pavilion. 

The Rockets enter the game with the nation’s No. 15 offense in the country at 88.8 points per game. One might think Toledo hasn’t played anyone or it might be early in the year Well, let’s get the negatives out of the way. 

Notre Dame and Toledo have faced three common opponents to this point as both are participating in the Men Against Breast Cancer Invitational. 

Toledo
Howard: 112-68 - Win
Marshall: 96-70 - Win
Robert Morris: 70-56 - Win

Notre Dame 
Howard: 79-50 - Win
Marshall: 74-64 - Win
Robert Morris: 92-57 - Win

Toledo can score and that’s going to be an interesting battle as the Irish rank No. 148 in points per game. 

The good news for Notre Dame is John Mooney and Robby Carmody are expected back on Thursday after missing Monday’s game and both will help Notre Dame defense. The Irish are No. 53 in points allowed per game, which will be an interesting matchup against Toledo’s high-powered offense. 

Notre Dame coach Mike Brey knows Toledo will give his Irish all they want and probably more as the Rockets went 25-8 a year ago and won the MAC West.

“They're really well-coached and they're old,” stated Brey. “They know who they are and they shoot it. They made 14 threes at Marshall. I told our guys they can win the MAC. 

"They're coming in here thinking we're a big win. They're a big win for us if we can get it. It will be a resumè win.” 

The battle inside should be a fun one as John Mooney will bring his 16.5 ppg and 12.5 rpg against Like Knapke’s 15.8 ppg and 8.3 rpg. Knapke just went over the 1,000-point mark in his career, so it’s a safe bet he wants a piece of the All-ACC first-team selection. 

Toledo has two other starters averaging over 15 points a game in Spencer Littleson (15.8) and Marreon Jackson (18.8). Jackson makes the engine go as he’s also averaging 8.0 assists a night. 

While Prentiss Hubb and Mooney will get the chance to duke it out with the starters, the X-factor in this game will come from the Rockets bench. Keshaun Saunders averages 13.0 points per game and is shooting 58.8 percent from three-point range.

ESPN gives Notre Dame an 81 percent chance to win on Thursday night, but I think that might be a little high. I expect this to be a great test for Notre Dame and the unexpected close games in the last week could pay off for the Irish.

Brey has made it clear he doesn’t want his team to overlook the Rockets, but he also has challenged Notre Dame fans to show up to the game. 

"I have to rally our fans,” said Brey. “They need to be out at 8:30. Get a nap. We need you. This is kind of an ACC preparation. They're really good." 

Prediction: Notre Dame 76 Toledo 75