Game Thread | Boston College at Notre Dame
Boston College (8-11, 2-6) at Notre Dame (9-10, 1-7)
Date: January 21st
Time: 2:00 PM ET
Where: Purcell Pavilion | South Bend, Ind.
TV: Regional Sports Networks (List of affiliates carrying the game)
Line: Notre Dame -5.0
O/U: 134.5
QUICK FACTS
- Notre Dame leads the all-time series 25-14.
- The Eagles won the first meeting this year 70-63 on January 3rd.
- Cormac Ryan is approaching 1,000 career points as he currently sits at 990.
- Marcus Hammond has scored 37 points over the last two games.
- Notre Dame is averaging 13.2 fouls per game which is No. 4 in the country.
PROJECTED STARTERS
Notre Dame
| Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| JJ Starling | 12.2 | 2.8 | 1.4 |
| Trey Wertz | 10.1 | 2.9 | 3.5 |
| Cormac Ryan | 11.1 | 4.4 | 2.2 |
| Dane Goodwin | 12.2 | 4.9 | 2.1 |
| Nate Laszewski | 13.3 | 7.5 | 1.5 |
Boston College
| Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Makai Ashton-Langford | 12.0 | 3.1 | 2.1 |
| DeMarr Langford Jr. | 7.8 | 3.1 | 2.2 |
| Jaeden Zackery | 10.7 | 3.2 | 2.1 |
| Prince Aligbe | 7.0 | 3.9 | 0.5 |
| Quinten Post | 11.8 | 5.2 | 0.8 |
Preview
| Category | Boston College | Notre Dame |
| Points | 64.9 | 69.8 |
| Opponent Points | 69.6 | 70.7 |
| FG% | 42.5% | 45.0% |
| Rebounds | 33.7 | 30.7 |
| Assists | 10.7 | 12.3 |
| Blocks | 3.7 | 3.1 |
| Steals | 6.6 | 4.6 |
It’s been quite the week for Notre Dame basketball as it started with another bad loss to Florida State and then head coach Mike Brey announced he would step down following the season. The distractions of the 1-7 start in the ACC should be somewhat gone - but it doesn’t change the fact the Irish hold just one conference win on January 21st.
Boston College comes to Purcell Pavilion on Saturday, which has historically been a great team to face when struggling, but the Eagles won the first meeting 70-63 earlier this month. Notre Dame carried a four-point lead into halftime but managed just 25 points in the second half.
It was a game where Brey’s team shot just 40 percent from field, but perhaps even more concerning was Boston College out-rebounded the Irish 41-28 with a four-guard lineup. It was just another example of the lack of heart and fight from Notre Dame that has unfortunately defined the 2022-23 season.
The key for Notre Dame will be getting Nate Laszewski going. The 6-foot-10 forward scored seven points on just five shots while pulling down three rebounds in Tuesday’s loss to Florida State. Laszewski scored six points and recorded six boards in the first meeting against the Eagles. Now, Notre Dame’s issues are far from just Laszewski’s scoring, but Brey has to find a way to get him shots. Laszewski has scored in single digits four of the last seven games. Notre Dame needs to find ways to get him involved.
One good omen for the Irish will be the fact freshman forward Ven-Allen Lubin will be able to help on the glass. Lubin hurt his ankle against Boston College and play just one minute in the first meeting.
All in all, Saturday will be fascinating to watch. Will Notre Dame play free with the stress of Brey’s future gone? Will they not care because they are 1-7 and the head coach is leaving?
Notre Dame Fighting Irish OHT Military Appreciation Digit Quarter-Snap
