GAME THREAD | Bowling Green at Notre Dame
Bowling Green (2-2) at Notre Dame (4-0)
Date: November 22nd
Time: 6:30 PM ET
Where: Purcell Pavilion | Notre Dame, Ind.
TV: ACC Network | Mike Corey and Mark Adams
Line: Notre Dame -14.5
O/U: 150.5
QUICK FACTS
- Notre Dame leads the all-time series 5-2 and the Irish own a four-game winning streak over the Falcons.
- The Irish last beat BGSU 92-65 at Notre Dame in February of 1972.
- Mike Brey owns a 23-19 record in games decided by one point
- Notre Dame guard Trey Wertz is shooting 56.4 percent from the floor
- The Irish enter Tuesday night No. 2 in the nation with a free throw percentage of 84.9 percent.
PROJECTED STARTERS
Notre Dame
| Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| JJ Starling | 11.8 | 3.3 | 0.5 |
| Trey Wertz | 15.3 | 2.5 | 3.5 |
| Cormac Ryan | 10.8 | 4.3 | 2.8 |
| Dane Goodwin | 16.5 | 5.0 | 1.8 |
| Nate Laszewski | 19.0 | 10.3 | 1.5 |
Bowling Green
| Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Samari Curtis | 13.8 | 4.3 | 4.8 |
| Kaden Metheny | 7.8 | 2.3 | 1.5 |
| Leon Ayers III | 20.5 | 6.0 | 0.8 |
| Rashaun Agee | 9.3 | 6.0 | 1.3 |
| Gabe O’Neal | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 |
Preview
| Category | Bowling Green | Notre Dame |
| Points | 72.0 | 78.8 |
| Opponent Points | 75.3 | 73.0 |
| FG% | 40.8% | 50.9% |
| Rebounds | 38.5 | 30.8 |
| Assists | 11.3 | 11.3 |
| Blocks | 1.5 | 2.8 |
| Steals | 7.8 | 3.8 |
Tuesday night should be a walk in the park for Notre Dame, but the Irish haven’t proven they can cruise past a non-conference opponent to this point in the year. Mike Brey’s squad is 4-0 and three games have been decided by seven points or less.
Notre Dame’s issues start and end on the defensive side of the ball as it’s been a poor effort over the first three weeks of the year. The Irish currently sit last in the ACC in opponent field goal percentage as the opposition is hitting 48.0 percent from the floor.
It’s fair to question the effort of the Irish on defense and it could be a much larger issue than a slow start to the year. Notre Dame boasts six graduate students on the roster and yes, Marcus Hammond has yet to make his season debut, but starting five has four graduate students and Brey plays a 6-man rotation. They’ve seen it and know how to play defense, especially against non-Power 5 programs.
The concern centers around the close games and Friday was a prime example of the lack of effort. Lipscomb entered its final two possessions of the game shooting 82.6 percent from the floor in the second half. 82.6 percent.
Notre Dame saw Lipscomb miss its final two shots, which led to the 66-65 Irish win and saw the Bisons shooting percentage fall to 76.0 percent for the final 20 minutes.
That’s ugly. There is no way to spin it. It’s an issue. Notre Dame is lucky to have started the season with a five-game homestand against non-Power 5 opponents. Can you imagine if this team had started with Gonzaga’s schedule of Michigan State, Texas and Kentucky? Whew.
The good news for Notre Dame is Bowling Green isn’t an offensive juggernaut, but the Irish also aren’t in a place to take any team lightly on the defensive end. All eyes will be on Notre Dame’s defense tonight as the Irish head to New York on Friday to face St. Bonaventure before returning home for next Wednesday’s clash with Michigan State.
Under Armour Green Notre Dame Fighting Irish Script School Logo All Day Raglan Pullover Hoodie
