Game Thread | High Point at Notre Dame

High Point (1-1) at Notre Dame (1-0)

Date: Nov. 16

Time: 8:00 p.m. ET

Where: Purcell Pavilion | Notre Dame, Ind.

TV:  ACC Network | Doug Sherman and Cory Alexander

Line: Notre Dame -20.5

Quick Facts 

- Notre Dame and High Point will meet for the first time on Tuesday. 

- Mike Brey is 0-4 all-time against High Point head coach Tubby Smith and 5-2 against Big South opponents. 

- Since 2000-01 (first year of the Mike Brey era), Notre Dame has led the NCAA in assist/turnover ratio (1.44).

- Blake Wesley became just the second freshman of the Brey era to post 20 or more points in his debut (Chris Thomas had 24 vs. New Hampshire in 2001).

- Cal State Northridge scored 52 points against the Irish in the season-opener, which is the least amount of points given up by a Brey team since 2014-15. (Binghamton - 39 points)

THE STARTERS

Notre Dame

High Point  

Preview

Points Per Game
Notre Dame: 68.0
High Point: 84.0

Opponent Points Per Game
Notre Dame: 52.0
High Point: 77.0

FG%
Notre Dame: 49.0%
High Point: 44.4%

Rebounds Per Game
Notre Dame: 30.0
High Point: 43.5

Assists Per Game
Notre Dame: 14.0
High Point: 16.0

Blocks Per Game
Notre Dame: 2.0
High Point: 6.5

Steals Per Game
Notre Dame: 5.0
High Point: 6.5

Notre Dame will host High Point on Tuesday night at Purcell Pavilion and it's the last home game for a minute as the Fighting Irish won’t play at home until December 11th when Kentucky comes to South Bend. 

There should be a lack of drama on Tuesday night as High Point is coming off a 35-point loss to Northwestern on Friday night. 

The only suspense surrounds the guard position for Notre Dame. Will Mike Brey start Blake Wesley now, the next game, or next week? It's coming as the true freshman scored 21 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field in his debut on Saturday. 

Yes, it would be a little shocking to see Wesley average 21 points per game this year or even be as efficient from the offensive end, but he provides defense and some much-needed length on the perimeter. 

Most importantly, Wesley gives Notre Dame a second guy who can create his own shot at any point in the shot clock, which is an area Brey's team has needed over the last three years. 

It's a tough decision for Brey as he'd be taking a captain out of the starting lineup. Based on Brey's track record and what fits this team the best, Nate Laszewski seems the most logical choice to come off the bench. 

Notre Dame could play 4-around-1 with Paul Atkinson Jr. on the block as he has a more advanced post game. Laszewski off the bench could also be beneficial to the Irish as there is a natural rotation in the post and some offensive spark. 

If the move is to be made, the sooner, the better, as the Maui Invitational starts next week and then the Irish have games at Illinois and Boston College before Kentucky comes to Purcell Pavilion. 

As for High Point, the Panthers aren't a big team and have taken 53 threes in the first two games. 

Point Guard John-Michael Wright is the star as he enters Tuesday's game averaging 23 points, 4.5 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game. 

It will be interesting to see if Brey rolls with Prentiss Hubb on Wright or if he puts a committee of players on him. Allowing Cormac Ryan, Blake Wesley, or Trey Wertz to get shots at guarding Wright seems smart as it can help prepare them for matchups in the future. 

Offensively, Notre Dame needs to start to find Atkinson Jr. on the block a little more. The offense going through the block is beneficial as Atkinson can not only dominate 1-on-1 matchups, but he's a good enough passer to find the open man when the double-team comes. 

If Notre Dame wants to get to the Big Dance, they need to start establishing good habits and find an identity now because the schedule ramps up quickly - including getting Wesley more significant minutes.