Game Thread | Notre Dame at Clemson

Notre Dame (17-7, 10-3) at Clemson (12-12, 4-9)

Date: Feb. 12

Time: 7:00 PM ET 

Where: Littlejohn Coliseum | Clemson, S.C.

TV: ACC Network 

Line: Clemson -2.5

O/U: 140

ACC Standings

Quick Facts 

- Notre Dame leads the all-time series 7-2. 

- Mike Brey holds a record of 7-2 against Brad Brownell. 

- There are only three true freshmen in the country who have scored 300 points with 80 rebounds, 60 assists and 25 steals - Weber State’s Dillon Jones, Central Arkansas’ Camren Hunter and Notre Dame’s Blake Wesley (335, 82, 61 and 28).

- Paul Atkinson Jr. has averaged 16.6 points per game over the last three games. 

- Notre Dame has held its last six ACC opponents under 65 points or less. 

PROJECTED STARTERS

Notre Dame

Clemson    

Preview

Notre Dame will hit the road on Saturday to face a pesky Clemson team as the Irish look to hold on to its first place standing in the ACC. 

Clemson will be without two starters as forward Hunter Tyson is out for the year with a broken clavicle and guard David Collins was suspended for one game following his flagrant 2 against Duke. 

Mike Brey’s team will also likely be without starting forward Nate Laszewski as he recovers from a contusion he received last weekend as he banged knees with a player from NC State. 

"I think it's a long shot,” Brey said of Laszewski playing following Wednesday’s game against Louisville. “I think he's still a little tender. We're going to have to prepare like he's not going to be able to go. He did a little more today, but cutting, jumping and exploding off that - I'm not sure he's ready for Saturday. 

"I feel very good about a week from tonight against BC. This will be game three and we'll get (Matt) Zona mentally ready. Those six guys, we'll get them rested and ready to go." 

Cormac Ryan started on Wednesday and Brey has a great confidence in his senior guard to raise his level of play. 

"He's always defended and rebounded,” explained Brey. “He works so hard defensively. Again, there were some possessions tonight where guys tried to get by him. You can't get by him. 

"I think the game has slowed down for him offensively. I don't think he's played as fast. He's seen it better. I think the structure of what we're doing offensively has helped him and he's really coming around with a good tempo on offense. I know he's had some great looks he hasn't made - he's going to make those. That's coming next." 

The Irish will need to slow down Clemson forward PJ Hall, who has been one of the ACC's best players this season. Paul Atkinson Jr. will get that task, but it also means Hall will need to step his defensive game up. Atkinson is averaging 16.6 points per game over the last three games and will apply pressure to Hall and the Tigers defense. 

"He's rolling,” stated Brey. “He's playing great. I didn't tell you guys yesterday, but I think Ryan Humphrey's mentorship has been a key of challenging him, especially from the Georgia Tech game on. We benched him because we thought we needed a little more out of you. He's reacted great. 

Brey wasn’t concerned about his team heading on the road with the ACC on the line. In fact, he was more concerned about getting his team rest before Saturday's game over any type of strategy or install. 

“I think this group really loves playing on the road,” said Brey. “They kind of feel it. They like quieting crowds. There's a little bit of a cockiness about them on the road where they love doing it. 

"There's no deep strategy. It's get those legs rested.”

Clemson Last Five
Duke - 82-64 L 
North Carolina - 79-77 L
@ Georgia Tech - 69-64 L
Florida State - 75-69 W
@ Duke 71-69 L

Notre Dame Last Five
Louisville 63-57 W 
@ NC State - 69-57 W
@ Miami - 68-64 W 
Duke - 57-43 L 
Virginia - 69-65 W