Game Preview/Thread: Pittsburgh (8-22, 0-17) at Notre Dame (17-12, 7-9)
Pittsburgh (8-22, 0-17) at Notre Dame (17-12, 7-9)
Date: February 28th
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Purcell Pavilion
TV: ESPNU
QUICK FACTS
- Notre Dame leads the all-time series 32-30.
- Since joining the ACC, the Irish are 1-3 against Pitt.
- Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey is one win away from reaching 400 wins at Notre Dame.
- Sophomore guard TJ Gibbs has scored in double figures in 17 consecutive games.
- Senior center Martinas Geben has scored in double figures in six consecutive games.
- Martinas Geben (6), TJ Gibbs (10) and Matt Farrell (13) rank in KenPom's best offensive players in the ACC this year.
- Senior forward Bonzie Colson will return to the starting lineup on Wednesday.
THE STARTERS
Notre Dame
| Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Matt Farrell | 17.2 | 2.5 | 5.5 |
| TJ Gibbs | 16.0 | 2.8 | 3.0 |
| Rex Pflueger | 8.5 | 4.0 | 3.1 |
| Bonzie Colson | 21.4 | 10.4 | 1.1 |
| Martinas Geben | 11.1 | 8.0 | 1.1 |
Pittsburgh
| Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Marcus Carr | 9.9 | 2.8 | 4.1 |
| Jared Wilson-Frame | 12.6 | 3.4 | 1.6 |
| Parker Stewart | 9.0 | 3.2 | 0.9 |
| Khameron Davis | 4.1 | 2.8 | 1.0 |
| Kene Chukwuka | 2.6 | 2.7 | 0.9 |
National Rankings
| Category | Notre Dame | Pittsburgh |
| Scoring Offense | 76.3 (102) | 62.2 (348) |
| Scoring Defense | 69.0 (89) | 72.5 (180) |
| Rebound Margin | 1.7 (134) | -5.9 (334) |
| Assist Per Game | 14.4 (125) | 12.5 (262) |
| FG% Offense | 45.6% (137) | 40.9% (333) |
| FG% Defense | 43.1% (131) | 44.3% (204) |
| Three-Pointers Per Game | 8.8 (79) | 8.1 (130) |
| Three-Point Percentage | 38.1% (51) | 33.1% (272) |
| Free-Throw Percentage | 75.8% (42) | 69.4% (249) |
| Assist-Turnover Ratio | 1.41 (21) | 0.88 (300) |
Preview
If your program needs a win to keep NCAA Tournament hopes alive and you're also bringing back an All-American player from injury and playing the last home game of the year, Pittsburgh has to be high on the list.
Notre Dame will host Pittsburgh on Senior Night at Purcell Pavilion and it should be smooth sailing on Wednesday night as the Panthers are one of the worst teams in the NCAA this season.
The Irish aren't a team that can just look past Pitt and cruise to a victory, especially with the emotions of Senior Night and the return of Bonzie Colson. Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey wants to make sure his team focuses on themselves over the opponent.
"I don’t think it’s a focus on Pittsburgh," Brey said. "We’ve won four of six, and it’s a group that’s excited to play again. We’ve found a pretty good offensive rhythm. We’re scoring again.
“These younger guys want to send the seniors out on a good note.”
The return of Colson will be a large part of the evening and whether he plays one minute or 15 minutes, Brey wants to give his All-American the recognition he has earned over the last four seasons.
"I would like to start him even if he feels he can’t give minutes," said Brey. "I’d love for this crowd to be able to give him a heck of an ovation. He deserves it. We’d then sub him out real quick.”
As for the game, I think the Irish run away in the second half on Wednesday night. I'd look for Colson to try to get around 15 minutes, but Martinas Geben will put up another double-double and I wouldn't be surprised to see Matt Farrell do something Notre Dame fans will remember for a long time tonight.
Prediction: Notre Dame 84 Pittsburgh 61
The Return...☘️ pic.twitter.com/nFtilBF5Ph
— Bonzie Colson (@Bcolson_35) February 27, 2018