Game Thread | Crossroads Classic: Indiana vs. Notre Dame

Indiana (8-2) vs. Notre Dame (4-4) 

Date: Dec. 18th

Time: 2:30 PM ET 

Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Indianapolis, Ind. 

TV: FOX | Tim Brando and Jimmy Jackson

Line: Indiana -5.5 

O/U: 132.5

Quick Facts 

- Indiana leads the all-time series 50-22

- Mike Brey and Mike Woodson will meet for the first time on Saturday. 

- Mike Brey is 33-30 against Big Ten opponents. 

- Notre Dame is 4-6 in the Crossroads Classic

- Dane Goodwin has scored in double-figures in eight straight games. 

- Blake Wesley is averaging 13.0 points per game and that is second-best in the ACC for true freshmen.

PROJECTED STARTERS

Notre Dame

Indiana  

Preview

The Crossroads Classic has provided more than a few thrilling games over the years, but Saturday will be the final game of the series. Indiana has found great success in the Crossroads Classic as the Hoosiers are 7-3, while the Irish are 4-6. 

Two years ago, Notre Dame blew a lead and the Hoosiers got out of Indy with a 62-60 win to move to 4-1 against the Irish in the Crossroads Classic. 

Notre Dame will enter the game fresh off a huge win against Kentucky and Mike Brey’s squad is looking to capitalize off that momentum with ACC play just around the corner. For the Irish to win, it starts on the boards. 

Indiana is No. 14 in the country in rebounding margin at +10. The Irish out-rebounded Kentucky, the nation's leader in rebounding, last weekend and Brey is looking for his guards to stay active on the glass. 

"Winning the battles in the paint and the overall rebounding, especially the guard rebounding," stated Brey. “Our guards came down and helped us rebound.  Our bigs were hand-to-hand combat and trying to keep their guy off the backboard. 

"It's the same situation coming at us with Indiana's bigs and front line. Our transition defense was really good. We were good there. Can we get that first miss enough? We really did a very good job the other night. We have to do it again." 

It'd be a stretch to say Notre Dame figured out its offensive woes last week, but the Irish hit timely shots, which they haven't done over the last three years. 

Can they do it again? We'll see, but the Kentucky game should serve as a confidence boost. 

"When you have a win like that, you watch the kids and their body language, how they're moving and how they're interacting with each other," explained Brey. "Human nature says you feel a little better about yourself. 

"It's amazing what something like that can do for frame of mind. There's no question about it." 

The game will be played at a neutral site, but Brey knows Gainbridge Fieldhouse (formerly Bankers Life Fieldhouse) will be filled with Hoosier fans. 

"We know their people come out for it," laughed Brey. "It's is a great day of basketball. Of course, last year, we had no one in the building, but the environment in 10 of the 11 have been really cool. 

"It's their show and it always has been down there. It does have a good feel to it. The atmosphere will have a great feel to it." 

One thing to keep an eye on will be Notre Dame's depth. Brey has his seven-man rotation and Indiana will look to press the Irish while also playing up to 11 bodies. 

Notre Dame struggled earlier in the year against Texas A&M as the Aggies pressed and rotated like the Hoosiers. The Irish wore down, so Brey hopes to see his team rise to the challenge. 

"They play a lot of guys," said Brey. "They're old. Their strength is that front line banging away on you. The big guy is a great story how he's gotten better and he's gifted.
"They turn it over a little bit and we have to take advantage of that. 

"They'll pick us up full court like Kentucky. They'll come after us with waves of bodies. When their shots go up, can we do a similar job on the backboard as a group going and getting it?"