Irish Head To Louisville To Cap Three-Game Road Swing

ND_MBB_Game Notes at Louisville

The University of Notre Dame men’s basketball (11-6, 4-2) continues its three-game road swing at Louisville (11-7, 5-3) on ESPN Saturday afternoon (4 p.m. ET). So far, the Irish have split two games on their road trip and will look to earn their first win in Louisville since 2015.   

GAME TRENDS

In 2021-22 the Notre Dame is:

• 9-0 when they shoot better than their opponent.

• 7-0 when they make 10-or-more three-point field goals.

• 7-0 at Purcell Pavilion.

• 6-1 when a Notre Dame player scores 20-or-more points.

• 5-1 in games decided by five points or less.

A NOTRE DAME WIN WOULD… 

… end Louisville’s six-game win streak in the series.

… earn Notre Dame’s first win at Louisville since 3/4/2015.

… improved the Irish to 5-2 in the ACC.

… be the 8th win in the last 10 games for the Irish.

… improve the Irish to 4-2 on Saturday’s this season.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

• Has established himself as one of the most efficient and skilled scorers in the country – and is the only major conference player (and one of just two players in the country) to average .500 FG%, .400 3FG%, .900 FT% and score over 15 ppg.

• Has scored in double figures all 17 games this season, which is a career-best streak.

• ACC Co-Player of the Week (12/27/21) who has become an All-ACC level guard this season.

• One of the most dynamic playmaking freshmen in the country, owns four 20-point scoring games, including last two of the last four.

• National Freshman of the Week on January 10 (CBSSports/BWAA) and two-time ACC Freshman of the Week.

• In his first career start in Purcell Pavilion, hit the game-winning jump shot with :12 left to defeat No. 10/12 Kentucky.

• First South Bend, IN, public school MBB prospect to attend Notre Dame since 1985.

• See page 4 for more breakdowns of Wesley’s noteworthy rookie season.

• Provides a low post scoring option, hitting double digit scoring in six of last nine games, set ACC personal high with 19 pts at VT.

• 2019-20 Ivy League Player of the Year at Yale, did not participate in 2020-21 as the Ivy League canceled all intercollegiate athletics.

• Ranked by ESPN+ as the fourth-best transfer prospect in 2020-21.

• His driving lay up with :19 seconds left proved to be the game-sealing basket in the victory at Howard – as he returned to the DMV area to play for the first time.

• Connected on the game-winning jumper with five seconds remaining at Pittsburgh (12/28/21).

• Became the ninth Notre Dame player to reach 500 assists in a career at Virginia Tech.

• Preseason All-ACC Second Team.

• Posted break out game of the season in victory over North Carolina (1/5/22) with 20 points, shooting 6-for-7 from three-point range.

• Notre Dame’s best rebounder who is coming off a 17-point, 13-rebound performance at Howard.

• Scored over 20 points four times last season and has six 20-point games in his career.

OFF THE BENCH

• The team’s best on-ball defender who routinely assumes the assignment of the opponents best perimeter scoring threat.

• Filled up the stat line against No. 10/12 Kentucky with seven points, five rebounds, four assists and a steal.

• Scored 21 points in the first half in the victory at Duke last year, eventually scoring career-best 28 points.

• Provides ball handling and a scoring punch off the bench.

• Planned to sit out 2020-21 after transferring from Santa Clara until all underclassmen transfers were given immediate eligibility in 12/20

• Hit the game-winning three pointer at the buzzer in the first round ACC tournament victory over Wake Forest last season.

IRISH ITEMS – BY THE NUMBERS