Hoops Game Thread | Central State vs. Notre Dame
Central State at Notre Dame
Date: November 1
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Purcell Pavilion, Notre Dame, Ind.
TV: ACC Network Extra
QUICK FACTS
- The Marauders are coached by former Irish player Joseph Price (1982-86).
- The Irish return just two full-time starters (Rex Pflueger, TJ Gibbs) for the first time since 2009-10 (Luke Harangody, Tory Jackson).
- The Marauders finished 14-14 in 2018-19, 11-8 in conference play and claimed the program's first SIAC West Division title.
- The seven-game home stand to begin the 2018-19 season is the longest for the Notre Dame program in 32 years.
Preview
It's going to be a new look Notre Dame squad on Thursday night. Matt Farrell, Bonzie Colson, Martinas Geben and Austin Torres are gone and the Irish will break in six new players against Central State.
Freshmen Robby Carmody, Chris Doherty, Dane Goodwin, Prentiss Hubb, Nate Laszewski will get their first chance to play in front of a crowd Purcell Pavilion along with transfer Juwan Durham.
“We have six new faces who will put the uniform on for the first on our floor," said head coach Mike Brey. They need to get comfortable on our floor and get a feel for what it’s like to play in our building when the lights are on. We practice in our building but the more dress rehearsals for this group is good thing.”
All eyes will be on Notre Dame's freshmen on Thursday evening and it starts with Hubb, who impressed his head coach against Cincinnati on Sunday.
“Hubb played 25 minutes the other night and started," stated Brey. "He was very impressive. He’s playmaking guard and a good defender. He makes plays for people. He’s a good shooter too. He’s gained some weight and will be a key for us."
Hubb's growth over the next two months will be crucial for ACC play, but so will the health and confidence of sophomore forward DJ Harvey, who is coming off microfracture surgery.
Harvey turned heads at Notre Dame's open practice in October and his development could be the X-factor for the 2018-19 season.
“Harvey came off the bench and played 23 minutes," Brey said of Harvey on Sunday. "He was our leading scorer. I give a lot of credit to him and how hard he worked in his rehab plan since he was given the green light to go. It’s a test mentally to not play the game for so long. I’ve been impressed with how he came back.”
Prediction: Notre Dame 91 Central State 62