| GAME 17 | NOTRE DAME AT SYRACUSE |
|---|---|
| WHEN: | SUNDAY, JAN. 15 | 2 PM E.T. |
| WHERE: | SYRACUSE, NY | JMA WIRELESS DOME |
| WATCH: | ACCN |
| LISTEN: | NOTRE DAME RADIO NETWORK | CLICK HERE
SIRIUS XM CHANNEL 956 | CLICK HERE |
| NOTES: | ND NOTES |
| SOCIAL: | @NDWBB | #GOIRISH |
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Notre Dame (13-2, 4-1) has a winning record against every ACC team, and the Irish have not faced anyone more than Syracuse (13-4, 4-2). The latest episode in this storied rivalry is on the books for Sunday afternoon at the JMA Wireless Dome.
No. 7 Notre Dame is coming off of an 86-47 Thursday night rout of Wake Forest. Forward Maddy Westbeld tied her career high with 25 points and added 8 rebounds and 4 assists. After posting 9 points per game in the first 10 games, Westbeld is averaging 14.6 points per game over her last five appearances.
Olivia Miles continues to be the centerpiece of the Notre Dame squad and is one of two players in the nation averaging at least 15 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists per game (Iowa’s Caitlin Clark).
The star guard always seems to be in the right place to grab the rebound, but as a whole, Notre Dame’s rebounding improvement since last season is notable. The Irish’s rebounding margin is currently 14.7, up 10 boards from last year’s mark of 4.7. In total, Notre Dame is averaging an ACC-leading 45.6 rebounds per game and allowing an ACC-leading 30.9.
“Olivia is one of the best rebounding point guards in the country,” Karen & Kevin Keyes Family Head Coach Niele Ivey said earlier this week. “Having size [across the whole team] has really helped this season. It’s a mentality, and it’s something that we do well every game.”
Syracuse has one of the ACC’s best offenses but has struggled with limiting opponents’ baskets; the Orange are surrendering 65.5 points per game but posting 77.9. The former number ranks 13th in the conference, while the latter is third.
Dyaisha Fair is leading the charge for Felisha Legette-Jack in her first season as head coach. Fair is posting 19.9 points per game, which ranks third in the ACC. She is currently second in total points scored amongst active Division I players (2,373).
Fair is definitely a shooter; on 16 occasions this year, an ACC women’s player has posted 21+ shot attempts. Fair is responsible for five of those. The 5-5 Buffalo transfer also averages 4.2 assists each contest with a 2.0 assist/turnover ratio. For reference, Miles’ is 2.1 this year.
Notre Dame is 37-4 all-time against Syracuse and won both games last year. The Orange are 10-1 at home this season. Sunday’s contest tips off at 2 p.m. ET on the ACC Network.