Game Preview: #13 Notre Dame (5-0) vs #6 Wichita State (4-0)
#13 Notre Dame (5-0) vs #6 Wichita State (4-0)
Date: November 22nd
Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
Where: Lahaina Civic Center, Maui, Hawaii
TV: ESPN2
QUICK FACTS
- Notre Dame holds an all-time record of 5-3 in the Maul Invitational.
- This will be the fourth meeting between the two programs. The Irish hold a 2-1 advantage in the series.
- The Irish beat the Shockers 81-70 in the Sweet 16 during 2015.
- Mike Brey is seven wins away from becoming the all-time winningest coach in Notre Dame history.
- Notre Dame has started 5-0 for the second straight year and the fifth time under Brey.
- In five wins this year, Notre Dame has yet to allow an opponent to shoot over .400 from the floor.
NOTRE DAME MAUI INVITATIONAL HISTORY
2017
Notre Dame 83 Chaminade 56
Notre Dame 92 LSU 53
2008
Notre Dame 88, Indiana 50
Notre Dame 81, Texas 80
North Carolina 102, Notre Dame 87
1993
Arizona 98, Notre Dame 79
Notre Dame 94, Chaminade 78
Texas 89, Notre Dame 72
THE STARTERS
Notre Dame
| Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Matt Farrell | 18.0 | 2.0 | 4.4 |
| TJ Gibbs | 17.2 | 2.3 | 3.0 |
| Rex Pflueger | 6.6 | 5.6 | 2.6 |
| Bonzie Colson | 19.0 | 10.4 | 1.6 |
| Martinas Geben | 7.2 | 4.8 | 0.8 |
Wichita State
| Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Landry Shamet | 17.3 | 3.3 | 2.0 |
| Connor Frankamp | 9.3 | 2.3 | 3.3 |
| Zach Brown | 3.3 | 3.8 | 2.0 |
| Rashard Kelly | 4.5 | 9.0 | 3.0 |
| Shaquille Morris | 17.5 | 6.0 | 2.0 |
National Rankings
| Category | Notre Dame | Wichita State |
| Scoring Offense | 87.0 (56) | 94.0 20) |
| Scoring Defense | 60.5 (31) | 67.3 (108) |
| Rebound Margin | 8.0 (73) | 17.7 (4) |
| Assist Per Game | 15.0 (122) | 18.7 (39) |
| FG% Offense | 54.0% (14) | 49.7% (62) |
| FG% Defense | 36.1% (37) | 35.4% (32) |
| Three-Pointers Per Game | 8.8 (102) | 8.7 (110) |
| Three-Point Percentage | 43.2% (27) | 37.7% (102) |
| Free-Throw Percentage | 75.8% (65) | 77.5% (40) |
| Assist-Turnover Ratio | 1.62 (30) | 1.47 (53) |
Preview
No. 13 Notre Dame will get its first true test of the season on Wednesday night as they take on No. 6 Wichita State in the title game of the Maui Invitational. The Irish will need to take care of the basketball to have a chance at winning this game. The Shockers are going to give Notre Dame a ton of different defensive looks, including an aggressive trap in half and full court scenarios.
The Shockers are much like the Irish when it comes to experience, but they are probably a little longer and more athletic.
Landry Shamet could very well turn into one of the nation's top guard by the end of the season and Mike Brey's squad will have their hands full on Wednesday. The 6-foot-4, 180-pounder scored 19 points against Cal and 23 points against Marquette in Maui.
However, the least favorable matchup for Notre Dame is inside with Shaquille Morris. The 6-foot-8, 279-pound center is a grown man and plays like it. Morris dropped 25 points against Cal and 11 points against Marquette. If Geben gets into foul trouble, Morris could have a big night.
West Virginia gave Notre Dame fits with a press last year in the NCAA Tournament and I'd expect Shockers head coach Gregg Marshall to test the Irish backcourt tonight. Matt Farrell has proved he is one of the nation's elite with the ball in his hands, but he is still is a little careless, while TJ Gibbs needs to prove he has taken the next step in his game when it comes to handling the rock.
When push comes to shove, I believe the Shockers are little ahead of the Irish at this point in the year and the length and athleticism bother the Irish on the offensive end of the floor. The building will be packed with Witchita State fans and I think it gives them a little extra juice in the second half as it will be close to a home game feel for the Shockers.
Prediction: Wichita State 84 Notre Dame 70