Game Preview: #18 Notre Dame vs Indiana
#18 Notre Dame (8-2) vs Indiana (5-5)
Date: December 16th
Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
Where: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Ind.
TV: FOX
QUICK FACTS
- Notre Dame is 3-3 in the Crossroads Classic and 1-2 against the Hoosiers.
- Notre Dame and Indiana will play for the 72nd time on Saturday. The Hoosiers lead the series 49-22.
- Bonzie Colson has scored in double figures for 27 consecutive games.
- Head coach Mike Brey has 390 wins at Notre Dame. Digger Phelps holds the record for most career wins at Notre Dame with 393.
THE STARTERS
Notre Dame
| Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Matt Farrell | 16.5 | 2.0 | 5.2 |
| TJ Gibbs | 14.3 | 2.2 | 2.8 |
| Rex Pflueger | 8.1 | 4.2 | 2.3 |
| Bonzie Colson | 19.5 | 9.6 | 1.3 |
| Martinas Geben | 9.0 | 6.1 | 1.2 |
Indiana
| Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Josh Newkirk | 8.2 | 2.3 | 2.8 |
| Robert Johnson | 11.3 | 4.2 | 2.1 |
| Aljami Durham | 7.3 | 2.4 | 2.2 |
| De'Ron Davis | 11.5 | 4.4 | 1.2 |
| Juwan Morgan | 14.1 | 6.6 | 0.8 |
National Rankings
| Category | Notre Dame | Indiana |
| Scoring Offense | 81.0 (74) | 74.2 (201) |
| Scoring Defense | 64.3 (43) | 73.6 (209) |
| Rebound Margin | 0.7 (201) | 2.4 (142) |
| Assist Per Game | 14.7 (138) | 13.6 (209) |
| FG% Offense | 50.8% (20) | 47.3% (111) |
| FG% Defense | 39.5% (51) | 44.9% (229) |
| Three-Pointers Per Game | 8.4 (117) | 6.0 (305) |
| Three-Point Percentage | 42.6% (10) | 32.3% (272) |
| Free-Throw Percentage | 74.5% (64) | 65.5% (298) |
| Assist-Turnover Ratio | 1.65 (4) | 1.11 (134) |
Preview
The Irish got back on track last Saturday win a solid win at Delaware after a tough loss to Ball State at home. Notre Dame will now look to get a two-game losing streak at Bankers Life Fieldhouse off its back against the in-state Hoosiers.
On papers, Mike Brey's squad should cruise to a win, but Indiana first-year head coach Archie Miller is looking for a win as a turning point for his Hoosiers.
Notre Dame will need its interior defense to show up early and consistently on Saturday as De'Rone Davis and Juwan Morgan have the ability to make it a long afternoon for the Irish. Martinas Geben has passed challenge after challenge this season, but his defense is crucial to Notre Dame's success against Indiana.
While the Irish offense has clearly struggled in the first half, Notre Dame is still one of the top shooting teams in the country. Brey would prefer his team not be so streaky and pushing the ball with Matt Farrell and TJ Gibbs seems to be his fix.
The biggest key for the Irish on Saturday will be on the boards. The Irish can't lose the battle on the boards and expect to beat the Hoosiers. Indiana will look to make it a scrappy game inside the paint and that's where Bonzie Colson could thrive.
Colson has had a productive season, but he hasn't had the breakout game that sets the tone for the year. Saturday could be that game, as Colson knows his game will be needed in this matchup.
Sophomore guard Nic Djogo got early minutes off the bench against Delaware and Brey stated he would like to start to work him in the games earlier, but will that continue in a big game?
I like the Irish in this one because they are the veteran team and they can set the tone early by controlling the boards.
Prediction: Notre Dame 73 Indiana 67
The Perfect Gift For Your Favorite ND Friend or Family Member: The ISD Gift Card