Irish face the Mustangs for the first time since 1988
After a tough loss to Louisville, Notre Dame looks to bounce back when it hosts SMU in a nonconference matchup Wednesday at Purcell Pavilion. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET.
Notre Dame (11-14, 8-4 home) has had an up-and-down season but remains a competitive force on its home floor. The Irish will rely heavily on Markus Burton, the team’s leading scorer at 21.3 points per game, to ignite the offense. Forward Tae Davis (15.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg) has been a key secondary scorer, while sharpshooter Braeden Shrewsberry (13.7 ppg) provides a deep threat.
SMU (19-6, 5-2 away) enters the matchup as one of the more balanced teams in the country, boasting an impressive scoring margin of +10.8 points per game. The Mustangs are led by a dynamic trio of Boopie Miller (13.4 ppg, 5.7 apg), Chuck Harris (12.5 ppg, 44.5% 3PT), and Matt Cross (11.9 ppg, 8.2 rpg). SMU’s ability to spread the floor and dominate the boards (39.7 rpg) will be a challenge for Notre Dame.
Key Matchup: Markus Burton vs. SMU’s Backcourt
Burton has been a scoring machine for the Irish, but he’ll be tested by SMU’s perimeter defense, which allows just 32.5% shooting from beyond the arc. If Burton can get to his spots and create for teammates, Notre Dame has a shot at keeping pace with the Mustangs.
X-Factor: Notre Dame’s Three-Point Defense
The Irish have struggled at times guarding the perimeter, allowing opponents to shoot 31.8% from deep. With SMU hitting 38.2% from beyond the arc, Notre Dame must close out hard on shooters like Harris and Kario Oquendo.
History
Notre Dame has only faced SMU once and that an 83-75 loss during the first round of the 1988 NCAA basketball tournament.
ACC Standings
SMU is currently in 5th place in the conference with a 10-4 record, while Notre Dame is in 13th place with a 5-9 record.
Prediction
SMU's depth and effectiveness on both ends of the court provide them with a distinct advantage. Although Notre Dame benefits from home-court support and has a solid backcourt, the Mustangs’ capability to control rebounding and dictate the tempo is likely to be decisive. Anticipate a competitive first half before SMU pulls ahead in the latter stages.
Final Score Prediction: SMU 78, Notre Dame 70
Check out Len Clark's full prediction of this upcoming game at the Len Zone!