The Fighting Irish face the Louisville Cardinals in a highly anticipated matchup. Louisville, a top ACC team, brings a potent offense. Notre Dame aims to build on their recent victory. Can the Irish defend their home court?
LC
by Len Clark
Cardinal Offense: A Force to Be Reckoned With
Balanced Attack
Louisville averages 79.7 points per game. They have a very balanced offensive approach.
Hepburn's Leadership
Chucky Hepburn leads the team with 15.0 points and 6.2 assists.
Deep Threat
Reyne Smith ranks second nationally in three-pointers per game (3.84).
Fighting Irish: Burton's Brilliance
1
Burton's Impact
Freshman guard Markus Burton leads Notre Dame with 21.3 points.
2
Njie's Rebounding
Kebba Njie averages 6.4 rebounds. He will play a key role against Louisville.
3
Recent Win
Notre Dame snapped a three-game losing streak. They had a 97-94 double-overtime win against Boston College.
Historical Context: Notre Dame's Home Advantage
1
Series Edge
Louisville holds a 26-19 edge in the all-time series.
2
Home Dominance
Notre Dame has won 11 of 17 home games vs. Louisville.
3
Recent Streak
The Cardinals haven't beaten the Irish since February 2021. Notre Dame has won the last four meetings.
Key Matchup: Perimeter Battle
Three-Point Barrage
Louisville attempts 30.2 three-pointers per game.
Irish Defense
Notre Dame ranks third in the ACC in opponent three-point percentage (31.7%).
Defensive Keys
Can the Irish contain Louisville's shooters to keep it close?
Statistical Comparison
Louisville is ranked higher in most categories than Notre Dame. But it is still likely to be a close game.
Game Prediction
1
Louisville
78 Points
2
Notre Dame
70 Points
Louisville's depth and shooting are too much for the Irish. The Cardinals continue their ACC ascent.
Key Takeaways
1
Louisville's Momentum
Cardinals are one of the hottest teams in the ACC.
2
Burton's Spark
Freshman Markus Burton drives the Irish offense.
3
Perimeter Defense Crucial
Notre Dame must contain Louisville's three-point shooting.