Game Thread | Marquette at Notre Dame
Marquette (7-3) at Notre Dame (7-2)
Date: December 11th
Time: 4:00 PM ET
Where: Purcell Pavilion | South Bend, Ind.
TV: ESPN2 | Jon Sciambi and Fran Fraschilla
Line: Marquette -1.5
O/U: 145
QUICK FACTS
- Notre Dame leads the all-time series 81-37
- The last time the two programs met was in the 2013 Big East Tourney and the Irish won 73-65.
- Notre Dame is 21-2 at home over the last two seasons.
- Cormac Ryan leads the country in made threes since Nov. 30th with 14.
- The Irish hare 7-0 this season when leading at the half.
- John Shumate will become the 10th men’s basketball player inducted into the Ring of Honor on Sunday.
PROJECTED STARTERS
Notre Dame
| Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| JJ Starling | 12.6 | 2.8 | 1.1 |
| Trey Wertz | 11.2 | 2.7 | 4.2 |
| Cormac Ryan | 13.1 | 4.2 | 2.0 |
| Dane Goodwin | 13.7 | 5.2 | 1.4 |
| Nate Laszewski | 14.3 | 8.4 | 1.8 |
Marquette
| Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Tyler Kolek | 8.2 | 4.3 | 8.0 |
| Stevie Mitchell | 6.9 | 2.7 | 1.5 |
| Kam Jones | 15.5 | 3.6 | 2.3 |
| Olivier-Maxence Prosper | 15.2 | 5.2 | 0.8 |
| Oso Ighodaro | 10.4 | 5.8 | 3.5 |
Preview
| Category | Marquette | Notre Dame |
| Points | 82.5 | 73.3 |
| Opponent Points | 68.9 | 67.7 |
| FG% | 49.7% | 47.8% |
| Rebounds | 33.4 | 31.6 |
| Assists | 19.6 | 12.0 |
| Blocks | 3.7 | 3.2 |
| Steals | 9.3 | 4.6 |
Sunday’s renewed rivalry with Marquette should have Notre Dame on high alert as Mike Brey’s Fighting Irish will be underdogs at home against Shaka Smart’s Golden Eagles. It’s quite the statement as Notre Dame is 21-2 at home over the last two seasons, but even Brey hinted at some cause for concern following Wednesday’s win over Boston University.
“They’re pressing you and up on you and playing fast and driving you,” stated Brey. “Picking you up and they’re not throwing to the post,” explained Brey. “They are ball screen driving, hand-checking you. Really, this is St. Bonaventure-like. Here’s our challenge. They’re going to come and Bonaventure us.”
It’s not a great comparison if you’re an Irish fan as St. Bonaventure beat Notre Dame by 12 earlier this month.
Where does the concern come from? The lack of true ball handlers is a glaring issue in Sunday’s matchup as Marquette will bring Smart’s traditional full court press to Purcell Pavilion. The Golden Eagles will come at the Irish with a variety of presses, but it’s an intense press as Marquette will be aggressive in looking for turnovers versus taking time off the shot clock.
The good news for Notre Dame is the Irish are No. 2 in the nation in turning the ball over at 8.8 per game. Freshman JJ Starling will be a key as the Irish look to break the press and speed things up on the offensive end. Starling is one of the few players who can win consistently by driving the lane and that will be crucial for offensive success.
Yet, it’s an opportunity for Notre Dame to add to its NCAA Tournament resume as Marquette has already beaten Georgia Tech and then No. 6 Baylor.
“You have to put a few on your resume,” said Brey. “It’s the same opportunity to put one on. I think Marquette is going to have a great run in the Big East.”
Notre Dame Last Five
Boston University - 81-75 W
Syracuse - 62-61 L
Michigan State - 70-52 W
St. Bonaventure - 63-51 L
Bowling Green State - 82-66 W
Marquette Last Five
North Carolina Central - 90-78 W
Wisconsin - 80-77 L
Baylor - 96-70 W
Chicago State - 82-68 W
Georgia Tech - 84-60 W
Notre Dame Fighting Irish OHT Military Appreciation Digit Quarter-Snap
