Game Thread | Notre Dame at Syracuse
Notre Dame (9-8, 1-5) at Syracuse (11-6, 4-2)
Date: January 14th
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Where: JMA Wireless Dome | Syracuse, N.Y.
TV: ACC Network | Jay Atler and Malcolm Huckaby
Line: Syracuse -6.5
O/U: 140.5
QUICK FACTS
- Syracuse leads the all-time series 32-23.
- The Orange held off the Irish 62-61 on December 3rd.
- Cormac Ryan is approaching 1,000 career points as he currently sits at 981.
- Notre Dame is tied for No. 3 for most 1,000-point career scorers (Division I).
- Freshman guard JJ Starling leads the Irish with 13 double-digit scoring games this season.
- Notre Dame is averaging 9.5 turnovers a game, which is No. 4 in the country.
PROJECTED STARTERS
Notre Dame
| Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| JJ Starling | 12.6 | 3.1 | 1.4 |
| Trey Wertz | 9.6 | 2.6 | 3.4 |
| Cormac Ryan | 11.8 | 4.4 | 2.2 |
| Dane Goodwin | 12.1 | 4.9 | 1.9 |
| Nate Laszewski | 13.6 | 7.6 | 1.5 |
Syracuse
| Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Joe Girard III | 17.2 | 2.8 | 2.9 |
| Judah Mintz | 15.7 | 2.3 | 4.1 |
| Chris Bell | 6.7 | 1.5 | 0.4 |
| Benny Williams | 7.6 | 4.5 | 1.2 |
| Jesse Edwards | 13.3 | 10.8 | 1.5 |
Preview
| Category | Notre Dame | Syracuse |
| Points | 69.5 | 75.1 |
| Opponent Points | 69.5 | 69.5 |
| FG% | 45.4% | 46.2% |
| Rebounds | 30.9 | 36.7 |
| Assists | 11.9 | 14.7 |
| Blocks | 3.2 | 5.9 |
| Steals | 4.5 | 8.2 |
Notre Dame didn’t handle the 2-3 zone well in December and it has to be a concern for Mike Brey as the Irish enter Saturday’s game with Syracuse. The Irish did hit 11 three-pointers in the first matchup, but it was on 33 attempts (33.3%).
Perhaps the most significant stat was Notre Dame shot just five free throws in the game, which was a death sentence for Brey’s club as the Irish shot just 38.3 percent from the floor.
What can Notre Dame hang its hat on this time around? Rebounding. The Irish out-rebounded Syracuse 37-30, which included a 12-5 advantage on the offensive glass. If freshman forward Ven-Allen Lubin is back from an ankle injury, it would be great news for Notre Dame as he recorded 10 points and eight boards in the first meeting.
Brey has toyed with the starting lineup over the last few games and it was JJ Starling’s turn to come off the bench during Tuesday’s win against Georgia Tech. However, that will be short-lived as Brey will start Starling on Saturday as it’s a homecoming for the freshman guard as he grew up 20 minutes away from the JMA Wireless Dome.
Starling has been one of the few bright spots this season as he leads the Irish in double-digit scoring games (13) and has hit that mark in eight of the last nine games. The New York native is also shooting 45.2 percent from three during that stretch.
“JJ is getting better,” Brey said. “More comfortable, in a good rhythm. He’s improved defensively. He’s moving the ball and playing. I’m excited about where he’s at. He has just been really good.”
One concern for Notre Dame will be Syracuse’s three-point shooting as the Orange hit just 3-of-18 from deep in December. It’s not likely the Orange will shoot that poorly at home, so winning the battle on the boards and getting a few more stops at the rim could be the deciding factor.
Notre Dame will also need to slow down Syracuse big man Jesse Edwards as he had a monster game of 22 points and 16 rebounds the first around.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish OHT Military Appreciation Digit Quarter-Snap
