Game Thread | Notre Dame at Boston College
Notre Dame (8-6, 0-3) at Boston College (7-7, 1-2)
Date: January 3rd
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Where: Silvio O. Conte Forum | Chestnut Hill, Mass.
TV: ACC Network | Drew Carter, Malcolm Huckaby
Line: Notre Dame -2.5
O/U: 130.5
QUICK FACTS
- Notre Dame leads the all-time series 25-13.
- Mike Brey is 19-4 against Boston College.
- The Irish have made 77 three-pointers over the last eight games, which is good for the top spot in the country since Nov. 30.
- Cormac Ryan, Dane Goodwin, Nate Laszewksi and Marcus Hammond are shooting over 40 percent from three.
- JJ Starling’s 12.9 ppg is No. 3 in the ACC when it comes to freshman scorers.
- Notre Dame is No. 1 in the country in fouls per game at 11.9.
PROJECTED STARTERS
Notre Dame
| Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| JJ Starling | 12.3 | 3.1 | 1.1 |
| Trey Wertz | 10.4 | 2.6 | 3.6 |
| Cormac Ryan | 12.2 | 4.4 | 2.3 |
| Dane Goodwin | 11.4 | 4.2 | 2.0 |
| Nate Laszewski | 13.9 | 7.8 | 1.5 |
Boston College
| Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Makai Ashton-Langford | 11.8 | 3.4 | 2.1 |
| DeMarr Langford Jr. | 7.0 | 2.5 | 1.5 |
| Jaeden Zackery | 10.4 | 3.6 | 2.1 |
| Prince Aligbe | 6.8 | 3.8 | 0.3 |
| TJ Bickerstaff | 6.8 | 6.9 | 1.4 |
Preview
| Category | Notre Dame | Boston College |
| Points | 70.1 | 64.4 |
| Opponent Points | 68.4 | 67.8 |
| FG% | 46.4% | 41.3% |
| Rebounds | 30.9 | 34.8 |
| Assists | 12.1 | 9.9 |
| Blocks | 3.4 | 3.9 |
| Steals | 4.3 | 7.2 |
Notre Dame simply needs to worry about Notre Dame at this point in the season. The 0-3 start in ACC isn’t because the Irish have played Tobacco Road programs. Sure, Miami is at the top of the ACC, but Florida State is 4-11 and Syracuse is 9-5. Hardly an overwhelming stretch to start ACC play.
Mike Brey has certainly been backed into a corner before, but this team lacks talent and perhaps even fight. The Irish turned the ball over 17 times at home against Miami on Friday afternoon. Sure, teams have off nights, but Notre Dame was 0-2 in ACC play and at home - and they showed little fight.
“You have to give them some hope,” Brey said. “We’re struggling confidence-wise. No question about it. In our losses, we’ve really turned the ball over. It’s just killing us.”
Boston College will present a chance for the Irish to get a win in ACC play. The Eagles have just two starters averaging in double-figures and have losses to Maine, Tarleton and New Hampshire on the resume. If the Irish can’t win a road game at Boston College on Tuesday, Notre Dame fans might want to buckle up even tighter as the season will have the chance to get ugly - and to epic levels.
“We’re very disappointed that we haven’t been more consistent,” explained Brey. “We’ve showed some film of chasing consistency. We just haven't been able to do that. I’m responsible. I don’t know if I’m helping them enough.”
Perhaps Brey’s final quote following the Miami loss was the most telling. The fact this team could feel the pressure of a must-win game at Boston College on January 3rd is telling and maybe even scary.
“You turn the ball over 17 times - you’ll be free for spring break,” said Brey. “You’ll be able to go to Florida. Alright, we have some hope, but here’s where we’re at man. If you go to Boston College with the weight of the world on your shoulders - I mean fellas, we have nothing to lose. I think we have to play like that.”
Notre Dame Last Five
Miami - 76-65 L
Jacksonville - 59-43 W
Florida State - 73-72 L
Georgia - 77-62 L
Marquette - 79-64 L
Boston College Last Five
Syracuse - 79-65 L
Virginia Tech - 70-65 OT W
Stonehill - 63-56 W
Villanova - 77-56 L
New Hampshire - 74-71 L
Notre Dame Fighting Irish OHT Military Appreciation Digit Quarter-Snap
