Notre Dame Basketball: Keys to beating Rutgers in First Four matchup

3. Fast start, take care of the ball, and possible crowd advantage?

If we are going just based on location Dayton, Ohio is a lot closer to Notre Dame being from Indiana than Rutgers being in New Jersey. Rutgers will obviously have a following as well, but you would think a larger following for Irish fans since it is closer overall. This could turn into somewhat of a home-court advantage if Notre Dame fans travel to Ohio. Maybe the Irish can make Dayton the Joyce Center East on Wednesday night.

The point I am trying to make here is that whether Notre Dame has the larger following or not they need to come out and punch Rutgers right in the mouth from the opening tip. If Notre Dame is able to come out and go on a fast start right away this just gives them more and more confidence as the game progresses.

Just last week against Virginia Tech they got off to a poor start and had to try and play catch up all night long. Basketball is all about runs. Obviously, Rutgers will go on multiple runs throughout the game, but if Notre Dame can get off to a fast start right away it could go along way with advancing to the next matchup and heading west.

The Irish for the majority of the year have taken care of the ball. This is something that you expect from a senior-laden team and a Mike Brey roster. It has not always been pretty though as six of Notre Dame’s nine losses came with them committing double-digit turnovers. Rutgers is a gritty team who will full-court press you, and just make you feel uncomfortable. Notre Dame cannot give away possessions and needs to be strong with the ball because Rutgers will throw the kitchen sink at Notre Dame with the season on the line.

After last week’s loss in the ACC Tournament, I would bet the coaching staff has been getting after and telling the players the importance of taking care of the ball on Wednesday night.