6:00 PM start Saturday in South Bend, televised on ACC Network.
Notre Dame’s Resume
Notre Dame is 13-6 overall, tied for second place in the ACC at 6-2. Only at 72 in the NET Ranking though.
The Irish are a perfect 8-0 at home, including wins over Kentucky and North Carolina. They’re playing really well of late, winning 9 of their last 10. Brey has them on path to break their four-year NCAA Tourney drought.
Personnel
It’s an old team. Seven-man rotation with six seniors. They all average 20+ minutes.
Point guard Prentiss Hubb (8.3 PPG) has seen his numbers dip this season, but he’s still the guy they trust with the ball in key moments. Potential one-and-done freshman Blake Wesley (15.0 PPG) is an electric athlete, loves to attack to the basket. Wing Dane Goodwin (15.3 PPG) is an elite shooter, 49% from three. He’s a crafty interior scorer too, great in the mid post.
Stretch-big Nate Laszewski (8.9 PPG) has come on strong after a rough start to the season. He’ll do most of his damage from behind the arc, hitting 46%. Grad transfer Paul Atkinson (11.4 PPG) is more of a rugged interior player, scores very efficiently around the basket and is active on the offensive glass. They’ve been starting both of those guys together. Against UVA, they’ll probably use that lineup more than usual. But there will be some four-guard looks with Goodwin sliding down.
A pair of former transfers come off the bench, Cormac Ryan (7.8 PPG) and Trey Wertz (4.5 PPG). Both guards with good size that can shoot it.
Strengths/Weaknesses
It’s a really good offensive team, way better than the full season metrics show. They take and make a lot of threes, second in the ACC in both categories. The freshman Wesley has given them a new dimension as a guy who can create his own. Not great defensively. Pretty poor on the interior in particular without a true rim protector. They’re last in the league in blocked shots.
UVA has to stay with shooters. And that includes the big guys. Goodwin could be a problem. Bennett will have to make a decision when they go small, whether to match it or try to maximize Gardner offensively. Reece!! vs Wesley should be fun.