Game 14 Preview: #14/16 Hurricanes Storm into Town on Friday

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – After a win in their final non-conference tune-up, the Notre Dame men’s basketball team (8-5, 0-2) receive a major opportunity and challenge in No. 14/16 Miami (12-1, 3-0). The Hurricanes storm into town on Friday, Dec. 30, in a matinee matchup starting at 2 p.m. ET inside Purcell Pavilion. Jay Atler and Malcolm Huckaby have the call on the ACC Network, while Tony Simeone leads the broadcast on the Notre Dame Radio Network.

*Due to the Notre Dame football team playing in the Gator Bowl on December 30, the men’s basketball radio broadcast against Miami will be on 96.1 The Ton

BREY VS MIAMI + RANKED TEAMS

The overall series might be just about even with the Irish having a slight edge, 13-12, but Coach Brey has definitely found success against Miami during his tenure at ND. Brey is 9-5 against the Hurricanes and is currently riding a four-match win streak. A win Friday would mark the longest win streak in the series which started back in 1986. 

The game will be no easy feat, with Miami boasting a No. 14 national ranking and a 12-1 record. The Hurricanes are led by Junior guard Isaiah Wong who is averaging 17.2 ppg.

Notre Dame is 3-5 at home against ranked teams over the last 3 seasons. This year they have knocked off No. 20 Michigan State. Last season, all ND fans remember the upset over No. 10 Kentucky. 

Overall, Coach Brey is 70-122 against ranked opposition. A win Friday would mark his second-ranked win on the year which hasn’t been achieved since the 2016-17 season (when ND earned 4 ranked wins). 

“THAT WAS MARCUS HAMMOND”

The Hammond breakout game was Dec. 27 vs Jacksonville when he poured in a team-best 15 points in the win. He shot 6-of-11 from the field and 3-of-7 from deep, taking control of the Irish offense and pushing the tempo.  

“That was Marcus Hammond,” said Coach Brey. “He’s a scorer. He’s really gifted. Coach Slo spent some time with him; I think he was thinking too much. He’s really gifted. Man, he’s played a lot of basketball and I’m thrilled for him. He deserved that.”

JJ TAKING OFF

Starling is riding a season-best five straight games in double figures, averaging a team-best 14.4 ppg in that span. 

One of the main differences — in what was an Achilles heel at the beginning of the season is now a strong point as of late – that’s JJ’s three-point shooting. He’s 8-of-17 from beyond the arc over the last 5 games aka 47.1 percent. 

Last game out, JJ scored all 11 of his points in the 2nd half vs. Jacksonville on Jan. 27. More impressively, he impacted the game elsewhere, grabbing a season-high 8 rebounds.

“JJ is getting better,” Brey said. “And more comfortable, in a good rhythm. He’s improved defensively. He’s moving the ball and playing. I’m excited about where he’s at. He has just been really good. To shake off a tough 1st half and say, ‘I’m going to keep playing.’ When he can square his shoulders and we get some cutters and we move and he can turn a corner, we don’t have anybody like that. He’s the guy.”

JJ almost singlehandedly won the Irish the game at Florida State on Dec. 21 – recording his 2nd 20-point performance of the season. Starling went on a 6-0 run to end the game to pull the Irish within one, giving them an opportunity to win with 6 seconds left.

DEFENSE SHOWS UP AGAINST J-VILLE

On Dec. 27, the Irish defense had its best game of the season, holding Jacksonville to 43 points in the 59-43 win. Not only was it the fewest points allowed all season, but also the fewest allowed since the 2014-15 season when Notre Dame defeated Chicago State 90-42. 

Furthermore, ND forced a season-high 17 turnovers. 

#PROTECTPURCELL

Last season, the Irish went 14-1 inside Purcell Pavilion, and this year they are off to an 8-2 start which includes a ranked win over No. 20 Michigan State. Thus, they are 22-3 at home over their last 25 home games. 

SEVEN-MAN ROTATION

As of Christmas Day, Notre Dame was one of only six Power-Five teams with seven or fewer players recording double-digit minutes per game. Miami was the only team with six players among the aforementioned. Interestingly to note, three of the six teams were from the ACC. 

NOTRE NOTABLES

The Irish currently rank in the top-10 in three different statistical categories. Their highest ranking – 1st in fouls per game – only committing 11.6. That has been a Coach Brey staple. In the last 12 years, Notre Dame has only failed to finish among the top 10 in least amount of personal fouls committed just once. They have also led the country in least amount of personal fouls five times.  

Next, they rank 2nd in the country in turnovers per game, only surrendering 9.1. 

Furthermore, if the Irish can get to the free-throw line in late-game situations, look out. They rank 7th in free-throw percentage, converting 79.7 percent from the stripe – leads the ACC as well.  Goodwin, Ryan and Laszewski are all shooting above .850 from the stripe. 

THREAT FROM THREE

Notre Dame has recorded double-digit three-pointers in 4 of the last 7 games, and in two of the contests they didn’t reach it – Boston U and Florida State – they connected on nine. Over that 7-game stretch, they’ve knocked down 68 three-pointers (9.7 per game) which leads all Power-Five schools since Nov. 30. When looking at all D-I schools, it ranks 11th. 

Overall on the season, they are averaging 8.9 three’s per game, which would crack the program’s all-time top-10. The program record is 9.7 set by the 19-20 squad. 

Now, the big reason for that – the squad’s big three who are all shooting above 40 percent. The trio all rank in the top-10 in the ACC in three-point field goal percentage. 

Goodwin – .455 – 4th in the ACC

Ryan – .429 – 6th in the ACC

Laszewski – .404  – 10th in the ACC

*Hammond – coming along at .412

— ND —