7. Welcome To Miami

MIAMI – The first ACC game is already here as Notre Dame men’s basketball kicks off league play on the road against a top-10 opponent. It’ll be another tough environment for this young core of Fighting Irish (3-3), traveling to the Watsco Center to try to take down No. 8/8 Miami (5-1). The two will tip off at Noon ET on The CW.

https://fightingirish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/7.-Miami.pdf

NOTRE DAME vs MIAMI

A series that has gone back and forth over the years and is completely even heading into Saturday’s matchup. The two sides are tied 13-13 all-time; split evenly at home (6-6), away (6-6) and neutral (1-1). Though, the Irish are 7-6 against Miami since joining the ACC.

In fact, over the last 13 games, the average margin of victory for either side has been 9.5 points.

The last encounter -> a 76-65 loss in South Bend. The Irish were up by one at the half and only trailed 51-49 with 12 minutes remaining before succumbing to the final score.

The last time in Miami -> a 68-64 ND victory. The Irish got a big 23-point, 11-rebound performance from Paul Atkinson Jr. and utilized a key 22-6 scoring run in the second half.

10 YEARS IN THE ACC

Saturday not only marks the first ACC game of the season but also the 10-year anniversary of Notre Dame hoops joining the league.

In 2015, Notre Dame produced a program record 32-6 and defeated Miami, Duke and North Carolina in Greensboro to claim the 2015 ACC Tournament championship. Since then, the Irish made an ACC Tournament semifinal appearance in 2016 and a title-game appearance in 2017.

HITTING THE MARK(US)

Everyone is starting to take notice of freshman point guard Markus Burton. To help you get more acquainted, read up on the following stats:

• His 16.3 ppg leads all ACC freshmen and ranks 5th nationally amongst DI freshmen.
• Overall his scoring average ranks 15th in the ACC.
• Burton started his career with five straight games in double figures before the streak ended with 8 points at South Carolina.

Burton picked up his second game of 20 or more points against Oklahoma St on Nov. 17. The following is a list of the most 20-point games by an Irish freshman: Adrian Dantley (13 in ‘73-74), Troy Murphy (10 in ‘98-99) and David Rivers (10 in ‘84-85).

THAT’S IRISH BASKETBALL

There was a lot to be happy with after the 75-55 win over UMES on Nov. 22. For starters, the ball was moving quickly and efficiently on the offensive end as Notre Dame posted a season best 18 assists on 28 made field goals.

The ball movement then directly led to better looks from three, as the Irish hit double-digit treys for the first time this season – 13 to be exact. What was also great to see was nine different Irish recorded a made three.

“We’ve put a huge emphasis on it,” Shrewsberry said. “Guys are doing it. I thought we passed up average or OK shots for great shots. We need to be this kind of team.”

Next, the defense was stifling, allowing just 55 points – a season best for ND.

Burton continued to impress with season highs in rebounds (6), assists (5) and steals (3). He recorded his first 5-5-5 stat-sheet stuffer game after earning 12 points as well.

Lastly, welcome to the lineup Kebba Njie. The sophomore returned from injury and made his Irish debut with a solid seven points and four rebounds.

“Every little thing that happens is just more and more belief,” Shrewsberry said. “More and more belief in what we’re doing, how we’re playing, what we’re talking about.”   

Quotables from South Carolina

“Who is going to be our go-to guy? Who’s the guy we can turn to to get a bucket when tough times happen? That’s what we’re searching for. Until we find that, things will keep happening like this. When things get tough, we have to trust the system and stay with it.”

“We are only going to get better and better. I still believe in our guys. I will roll with them anywhere. We are mainly rolling with freshmen and sophomores. We gave ourselves a chance and let off the rope for a bit in the 2nd half.”

“These trips are only going to help us. Going here, to Miami and to Marquette. They are going to make us tough and you are going to hate to see us on your schedule towards the end of the season.”

ROPED INTO A (SCORING) SITUATION

Julian Roper II has started all six games and averaging the third most points with 8.5 per game. He leads the team in rebounds (5.3) and steals (1.0). Over the last three games he’s 5-for-9 from three and averaging 9.3 points. He has tied his career high of 12 points twice this season, with the most recent one being in the win over Oklahoma State.