What has happened to that defense first, second, and often third Notre Dame basketball team that we often saw last season?
The one that offered all-out effort on that end of the floor. The one that gave the Irish a chance on a given night. The one that guarded and rebounded and believed and kept final scores in the 60s. Sometimes, in the 50s. It was rarely pretty, but necessary.
Where have those guarding Irish gone?
Notre Dame ranked third in the Atlantic Coast Conference and 49th nationally in scoring defense (67.1 ppg) last season. It was fourth in the league and 86th nationally in field goal percentage defense (.422). Entering the first full week of January, Notre Dame was ninth in the ACC and tied for 172nd in scoring defense (70.9 ppg). It was 10th in the league and 197th nationally for field goal percentage defense (.434).
In its last two conference contests – both losses – Notre Dame has allowed an average of 80.0 ppg. Why has it been so hard for the Irish to guard in league play? Other teams have made scoring look easy. Too easy. Time for Notre Dame to get back and defend.
Notre Dame vs. North Carolina State start time
- Date: Wednesday, January 8
What channel is Notre Dame at North Carolina State on?
- Radio: 960 WSBT-AM in South Bend
- Streaming: SiriusXM on ACC Radio and channels 955 and 956
Series history
A series that started in 1978 is tied 10-10. Notre Dame leads 6-3 in games in Raleigh while North Carolina State leads in games as ACC colleagues, 7-6.
North Carolina State has won two straight and six of eight, including last year’s lone contest, 54-52, in South Bend. Notre Dame last won in Raleigh, 69-57, on February 5, 2022.
This is the only regular season meeting this season.
Keep an eye on …
Notre Dame (7-7; 1-2 ACC)
We didn’t know what to expect from sophomore point guard Markus Burton when he returned Saturday against North Carolina after missing seven games over 39 days with an MCL injury to his right knee.
He wasn’t just OK. He was excellent. In 22 minutes, Burton scored 23 points and had two assists. He got into the lane, got to his spots, made shots, and got to the foul line (9-of-10). He came off the bench for the first – and maybe only – time in his collegiate career and made the biggest impact of anyone Irish.
If Burton can recover in four days and deliver another solid showing, it would give the Irish needed confidence moving forward. Having Burton with the ball in his hands makes all the difference in every area for Notre Dame. He gives them everything on the stats sheet, and something else.
Hope.
North Carolina State (8-6; 1-2)
One of seven transfers on a North Carolina State team that figured it out late last season to make a Final Four run, guard Marcus Hill has hit the ACC ground running. Last season, Hill earned All-Mid-American Conference first-team honors at Bowling Green in a year that saw him score at least 20 points in nine straight games.
The 6-foot-4, 185-pound Hill enters Wednesday as the Wolfpack’s leading scorer (12.6 ppg.) to go with 3.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 27.6 minutes. He also leads State in field goal attempts (134) and makes (68). He’s shooting .507 percent from the field, .235 percent from 3, and .685 percent from the foul line.
Much of what the Wolfpack wants to do runs through Hill. He’s been hard to handle.
Notre Dame vs. North Carolina State prediction, betting odds
North Carolina State 76, Notre Dame 70: Two teams that have each lost two straight in league play need one win. Unfortunately for the Irish, that’s easier to secure (even expect) at home. The ACC road wasn’t kind to Notre Dame last season (when it went 2-8) and an extended stay on Tobacco Road (the Irish will stay in the Triangle after this one with a Saturday date at No. 4 Duke) won’t be either.
Game lines and odds from BetMGM will be posted as they become available.
Spread: Notre Dame is a 2.5-point underdog
Over/under: 138.5 points
Moneyline: Notre Dame (+120), North Carolina (-145)
Notre Dame basketball news
-There’s nothing for Notre Dame to do with this one but own it
-Some good news for Notre Dame: Markus Burton is back
-Stunning? Not quite, since this was always part of the recruiting plan for Micah Shrewsberry
-Inside a memorable, magical night for one former Notre Dame team captain
-Notre Dame makes this road thing look easy with wipeout of Georgetown
-Six bold predictions for Notre Dame that could happen in 2024-25
Notre Dame basketball schedule
- Oct. 30 at Purdue Fort Wayne (Exhibition) (W, 91-54)
- Nov. 6 STONEHILL (W, 89-60; 1-0)
- Nov. 11 BUFFALO (W 86-77; 2-0)
- Nov. 16 At Georgetown (W, 84-63; 3-0)
- Nov. 19 NORTH DAKOTA (w, 75-58; 4-0)
- Nov. 22 ELON (L, 84-77; 4-1)
- Nov. 26 vs Rutgers (Players Era Festival, Las Vegas) (L, 85-84, OT; 4-2)
- Nov. 27 vs Houston (Players Era Festival, Las Vegas) (L, 65-54, 4-3)
- Nov. 28 vs Creighton (Players Era Festival, Las Vegas (L, 80-76; 4-4)
- Dec. 3 at Georgia (L, 69-48; 4-5)
- Dec. 7 SYRACUSE (W, 69-64; 5-5; 1-0)
- Dec. 11 DARTMOUTH (W, 77-65, 6-5)
- Dec. 22 LEMOYNE (W, 91-62, 7-5)
- Dec. 31 at Georgia Tech (L, 86-75; 7-6; 1-1)
- Jan. 4 NORTH CAROLINA (L, 74-73; 7-7; 1-2)
- Jan. 8 at North Carolina State (ESPNU) 7 p.m.
- Jan. 11 at Duke (ESPN) Noon
- Jan. 13 BOSTON COLLEGE (ACCN) 7 p.m.
- Jan. 18 at Syracuse (ACCN) 4 p.m.
- Jan. 25 at Virginia (ESPN/2) 6:30 p.m.
- Jan. 28 GEORGIA TECH (ACCN) 9 p.m.
- Feb. 1 at Miami (Fla.) (ESPN2) 8 p.m.
- Feb. 4 at Florida State (ACCN) 7 p.m.
- Feb. 8 VIRGINIA TECH (The CW) 1 p.m.
- Feb. 12 at Boston College (ESPN2/U) 9 p.m.
- Feb. 16 LOUISVILLE (ACCN) 8 p.m.
- Feb. 19 SMU (ACCN) 7 p.m.
- Feb. 22 PITTSBURGH (The CW) 2:15 p.m.
- Feb. 26 at Clemson (ACCN) 7 p.m.
- March 1 at Wake Forest (The CW) 5:30 p.m.
- March 5 STANFORD (ESPN2/U) 9 p.m.
- March 11-15 ACC Tournament (Charlotte) TBD.
Follow South Bend Tribune and NDInsider columnist Tom Noie on X (formerly Twitter): @tnoieNDI. Contact Noie at tnoie@sbtinfo.com
