Game Preview: Ball State (4-4) at #9 Notre Dame (7-1)
Ball State (4-4) at #9 Notre Dame (7-1)
Date: December 5th
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Purcell Pavilion
TV: ACC Network Extra or Watch ESPN
QUICK FACTS
- Notre Dame and Ball State will meet for the 10th time on Tuesday and the first since 1976.
- The Irish lead the series 9-0.
- Notre Dame is 202-148 (.577) all-time against in-state schools.
- Mike Brey is 17-7 against in-state programs, but 9-2 at home when facing an in-state program.
- Bonzie Colson has scored in double figures in 25 straight games.
- Notre Dame has held six opponents to less than 40 percent field goal shooting this season.
THE STARTERS
Notre Dame
| Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Matt Farrell | 15.9 | 2.3 | 4.6 |
| TJ Gibbs | 14.3 | 2.3 | 3.1 |
| Rex Pflueger | 7.5 | 4.6 | 2.4 |
| Bonzie Colson | 18.8 | 9.8 | 1.4 |
| Martinas Geben | 8.8 | 5.5 | 1.1 |
Ball State
| Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Tayler Persons | 15.3 | 2.9 | 4.5 |
| Sean Sellars | 8.5 | 2.3 | 0.9 |
| Jontrell Walker | 9.5 | 1.1 | 2.4 |
| Tahjai Teague | 10.9 | 7.6 | 0.5 |
| Kyle Mallers | 12.0 | 4.9 | 0.9 |
National Rankings
| Category | Notre Dame | Ball State |
| Scoring Offense | 80.1 (97) | 80.5 (90) |
| Scoring Defense | 61.9 (23) | 81.3 (315) |
| Rebound Margin | 2.1 (163) | -2.4 (262) |
| Assist Per Game | 14.6 (136) | 13.5 (210) |
| FG% Offense | 50.3% (27) | 46.2% (130) |
| FG% Defense | 38.7% (40) | 45.6% (256) |
| Three-Pointers Per Game | 8.1 (139) | 8.6 (99) |
| Three-Point Percentage | 41.4% (26) | 33.8% (212) |
| Free-Throw Percentage | 73.2% (107) | 76.6% (39) |
| Assist-Turnover Ratio | 1.63 (9) | 0.99 (203) |
Preview
Sunday was an ugly game for the Irish as the offense couldn't find any type of rhythm against St. Francis Brooklyn. Ball State enters Tuesday's game with a below average defense and Notre Dame should have its way on the inside as the Cardinals don't have much size.
Notre Dame has had three consecutive bad starts on the offensive end, so starting fast will be my key for Mike Brey's squad. Defense hasn't been a problem for the Irish, but they can't afford to keep digging themselves in early holes despite the competition.
Finding a way to get Bonzie Colson established early will open things up on the offensive end in my opinion. Brey stated teams are throwing double teams early at Colson, which has prevented him from getting off to hot starts, but there needs to be an adjustment as no one has raised their game.
Senior point guard Matt Farrell would be the popular guy to help with the slow starts, but he has been a little too careless with the ball at times in the first half as of late. Getting Colson early touches and maybe a few more designed set for Farrell could help the Irish.
It's too early to tinker with the starting lineup but after downshifting a year ago, I wonder what the missing piece will be this year. I still think getting Nik Djogo a few minutes earlier in the game could be the spark the Irish are looking for, but I understand why he isn't out there too.
Notre Dame should handle Ball State and I think they do after Sunday's performance. I expect Colson and Geben to have big games once again.
Prediction: Notre Dame 85 Ball State 71