Notre Dame Men’s Basketball Postgame Notes

Dec. 20, 2014

Recap | Box Score | Quotes | USA Today

This was the 42nd meeting all-time between Notre Dame and Purdue … the Fighting Irish own a 22-20 edge in the series … Notre Dame is 10-2 versus Purdue in Indianapolis (2-0 in the Crossroads Classic) … the Irish are 3-0 against the Boilermakers under Mike Brey.
Notre Dame improved to 3-1 in the Crossroads Classic, which ties the Irish with Butler for the best record at the event … the Fighting Irish have won their last three Crossroads Classic showdowns, which is the longest active streak for any of the four schools.
The Fighting Irish are 7-4 in Indianapolis under Mike Brey, including a 5-3 mark inside Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Under Mike Brey, Notre Dame is 9-12 when playing a Big Ten Conference opponent … the Irish are 4-2 versus the Big Ten in Indianapolis under Brey … Notre Dame is 266-232-1 all-time versus teams that currently comprise the Big Ten … the Fighting Irish are 2-0 against the Big Ten this season (79-78 overtime win over Michigan State on Dec. 3).
Notre Dame had six double-figure scorers (Jackson 22, Connaughton 19, Torres 11, Vasturia 11, Grant 10, Auguste 10) for the first time since Dec. 1, 2013 (vs. Cornell) … the Irish have had at least four players reach double-figures in 11 of 12 games this season … this was the third game with five or more double-figure scorers.
The Fighting Irish shot 51.6% (33-64) from the field … Notre Dame has shot 50.0% or above in 11 of 12 games this season.
Purdue shot 39.3% (24-61) from the field … Notre Dame has held nine of 12 opponents under 40.0% shooting from the floor this season.
Today was the fifth time this season the Fighting Irish scored 90 or more points.
Demetrius Jackson (So./G), Jerian Grant (Sr./G), Steve Vasturia (So./G), Pat Connaughton (Sr./G-F) and Zach Auguste (Jr./F) started today’s contest … that quintet has started all 12 games this season.
Notre Dame led 46-39 at halftime … the Irish are 11-0 this season when leading at the intermission.
Purdue’s 39 first-half points matched the most the Irish have surrendered in an opening half this season (Providence had 39 on Nov. 23).
Notre Dame tied a season-high mark with 20 made free throws (on 28 attempts).
Notre Dame committed just seven turnovers … it was the eighth time this season the Irish had fewer than 10 turnovers in a game.
A three-pointer by Pat Connaughton in the first half upped Notre Dame’s streak of consecutive games with a made three-pointer to 521.
Notre Dame is 4-0 this season when wearing gold uniforms.

Zach Auguste (Jr./F)

Scored in double-figures (10 points) for the fourth straight game and the 10th time this season … it was the 21st double-figure scoring effort of his career.

Pat Connaughton (Sr./G-F)

Notched his team-best third double-double of the season with 19 points and a career-high tying 14 rebounds … has 10 career double-doubles, which are the most for any current Irish player.
Scored in double-figures for the ninth time this season and the 57th time of his career.
Has hauled down 10-plus rebounds four times this season (a team-high total) and 14 times in his career.
Made his 94th consecutive start and the 97th overall of his career… has played in all 113 games during his Fighting Irish career.

Jerian Grant (Sr./G)

Scored 10 points … has reached double-figures in points in each of his last 14 games and 77 times during his career, which are the most for any current Fighting Irish player.
He is the only Irish player to score in double-figures in all 12 games this season.
Dished out nine assists and did not commit a turnover … it was the second time this season he’s had nine or more assists in a game.

Demetrius Jackson (So./G)

Tied a career-high total with 22 points … he also netted 22 earlier this season versus Michigan State (Dec. 3) … it marked the 10th time this season (third straight game) and the 17th time of his career that he’s scored in double-figures.
Shot 7-of-10 from the field, including 3-of-3 from three-point range.

Austin Torres (So./F)