Game Thread | Wake Forest at Notre Dame
Wake Forest (5-7, 2-7) at Notre Dame (6-9, 3-6)
Date: February 2nd
Time: 5:00 p.m. ET
Where: Purcell Pavilion | Notre Dame, Ind.
TV: ACC Network | Dave O’Brien and Corey Alexander
Line: Notre Dame -4.5
Quick Facts
- Mike Brey is 6-4 against Wake Forest and this be his first meeting versus Steve Forbes.
- Notre Dame leads the all-time series 6-5.
- Notre Dame leads the NCAA in fouls per game at 11.9.
- Prentiss Hubb currently has 234 career assists, which is the most of any active ACC player.
- Notre Dame’s last three opponents have scored just 59.6 points per game.
THE STARTERS
Notre Dame
| Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Prentiss Hubb | 14.8 | 3.0 | 5.4 |
| Trey Wertz | 7.5 | 2.5 | 2.8 |
| Dane Goodwin | 12.7 | 5.1 | 1.6 |
| Nate Laszewski | 15.3 | 8.1 | 0.7 |
| Juwan Durham | 8.8 | 4.9 | 1.4 |
Wake Forest
| Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Jonah Antonio | 6.7 | 1.9 | 1.0 |
| Daivien Williamson | 13.8 | 2.5 | 3.2 |
| Isaiah Mucius | 10.5 | 5.4 | 0.5 |
| Ismael Massoud | 9.9 | 3.7 | 0.2 |
| Ody Oguama | 8.7 | 5.6 | 0.8 |
Preview
Points Per Game
Notre Dame: 70.8
Wake Forest: 70.2
Opponent Points Per Game
Notre Dame: 71.6
Wake Forest: 67.8
FG%
Notre Dame: 45.5%
Wake Forest: 43.8%
Rebounds Per Game
Notre Dame: 32.7
Wake Forest: 33.1
Assists Per Game
Notre Dame: 14.7
Wake Forest: 12.1
Blocks Per Game
Notre Dame: 3.5
Wake Forest 2.0
Steals Per Game
Notre Dame: 4.1
Wake Forest: 7.9
Can Notre Dame make another late-season run? Mike Brey is hopeful his Irish can do just that as Notre Dame has won three of its last four and it’s because of how his team has handled the bumpy first two months of the year.
"This has been a cool group of kids,” Brey stated. “They're not too high when they win and not jumping off buildings when they lose.”
Defense has seemed to jumpstart the Irish, which is not the typical calling card for Notre Dame. The Irish have held the last three opponents to just 59.6 points per game and will face a Wake Forest team that has lost seven of its last nine.
"I showed them our KenPom defensive numbers,” said Brey. “In three or four games, we went up from 202 to 140. Virginia Tech scored 62 points and shot 40 percent from the floor. That wasn't the problem. It's us getting into a flow offensively and being able to handle athletic ball pressure.”
It’s likely Wake Forest starter Ian DuBose will be out again, which is good news for the Irish as he’s averaging 11.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.
The Irish would also be smart to get Juwan Durham involved on offense early and often. Durham has scored in double-figures in four of the last five games, including 14 on 7-of-11 shooting on Saturday.
"It takes some pressure off. He has good low post footwork. We like throwing it in there and he's unselfish with it. He can score it around the bucket.
“You can throw it in there when guys are really mauling and pressuring you,” Brey explained. “He can go and score. That helps. It changes their ball pressure because they look and help a little. Then you get some looks.”
Notre Dame has momentum, which is weird to say, and Tuesday can be a statement as the Irish have a chance to turn a corner.
Prediction: Notre Dame 78 Wake Forest 70