Game Thread | No. 25 Pitt at Notre Dame
No. 25 Pittsburgh (21-8, 14-4) at Notre Dame (10-19, 2-16)
Date: March 1st
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Where: Purcell Pavilion | South Bend, Ind.
TV: ESPNU | Anish Shroff and Jordan Cornette
Line: Pitt -4.5
O/U: 142
QUICK FACTS
- Notre Dame leads the all-time series 37-31.
- Mike Brey has coached in 911 games entering Wednesday night.
- Dane Goodwin has played in a program-record 155 games.
- Notre Dame averaged 8.8 turnovers per game, which is the least in the country.
- This will be Mike Brey’s final home game at Notre Dame.
PROJECTED STARTERS
Notre Dame
| Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Marcus Hammond | 8.9 | 2.6 | 1.5 |
| Trey Wertz | 8.4 | 2.9 | 3.2 |
| Cormac Ryan | 11.6 | 4.1 | 2.5 |
| Dane Goodwin | 11.7 | 5.1 | 2.1 |
| Nate Laszewski | 14.1 | 7.1 | 1.4 |
Pitt
| Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Nelly Cummings | 11.0 | 2.8 | 5.0 |
| Greg Elliott | 11.2 | 4.0 | 1.3 |
| Blake Hinson | 15.8 | 6.2 | 1.2 |
| Jamarius Burton | 15.5 | 4.9 | 4.4 |
| Federiko Federiko | 6.8 | 5.7 | 0.5 |
Preview
| Category | Pitt | Notre Dame |
| Points | 75.8 | 69.3 |
| Opponent Points | 68.4 | 71.4 |
| FG% | 45.0% | 44.5% |
| Rebounds | 37.0 | 31.0 |
| Assists | 14.7 | 11.9 |
| Blocks | 4.3 | 2.8 |
| Steals | 5.1 | 4.7 |
Wednesday night will be the end of an era at Notre Dame as Mike Brey will coach his final home game inside Purcell Pavilion.
Sure, hosting a top 25 team and ACC champ Pitt is big, but all eyes will be on Brey as his 23-year run comes to an end at home.
“I think we have about 30 of our former players and my guys coming back - even some guys from previous eras coming back and a lot of friends and family,” said Brey. “I hope we can play well against a really good team. They’re really good.
“You’ve had time to reflect. It’s been awesome, man. I have no regrets and I’ve been honored to be the guy here.”
Notre Dame will be short-handed once again as freshman guard JJ Starling will miss his second straight game with a knee injury. It's a significant hit to the Irish as Starling averaged 11.3 ppg and 2.8 rpg, but is also one of the few players who can attack the rim.
The good news is Marcus Hammond will be back as he missed Saturday’s game against Wake Forest.
“Marcus is good,” stated Brey. “JJ will not be available. We’re still analyzing that knee. It’s a bruise. We’re trying to get some more info on it, but he can’t go. We’re going to start our seniors. We’ll bring Ven off the bench.”
As for emotions, Brey doesn’t believe he’ll have any as he’s given this night a great amount of thought.
“Nope,” said Brey. “Not at all. I think it’ll be cool. I’ve mentally prepared myself for it. I’m going to embrace it as best as possible. Maybe my emotions have been maxed out over 23 years.”
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