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

1. Make at least 10 three-pointers

It is no secret if you have watched Notre Dame play this year that one of their main strengths is shooting from beyond the three-point line. The Irish do have Paul Atkinson and others who are capable of doing damage inside as well but really do shoot it well from distance.

Notre Dame has shooters who can hurt you from distance in Goodwin ( 44.8%), Wesley (31.8%), Ryan (38.7%), Laszewski (46.0%), Hubb (32.1%), and Wertz (38.7%) from three-point land. When the Irish are able to make at least ten 3-point field goals this season their record is 14-1. Seven of Rutgers thirteen losses came when the opposing team hit at least nine 3-point field goals as well. Something to keep an eye on throughout the matchup on Wednesday in Dayton.

The team that most resembles Notre Dame in the Big Ten of all the teams I would say is Iowa. No, Notre Dame is obviously not Iowa, but they have the firepower and shooters like an Iowa team from outside and the ability to really score and be efficient on the offensive end of the floor.

According to Sports Reference, Notre Dame comes into this matchup with an offensive rating of 108.9 (50th of 358), while Rutgers is at 102.4 (185th of 358). That is a big gap between the two offenses overall and definitely is in the Irish favor here if they play their game and being patient on the offensive end. The defense rating is a lot closer between the two schools with Notre Dame coming in at 100.4 (180th of 358), and Rutgers at 99.3 (152nd of 358).

I really do believe this game will come down to shooting. If Notre Dame is able to knock down their three-pointers against Rutgers and just compete and make it tough for Rutgers the Irish should advance to take on Alabama on Friday. If the Irish do not win it most likely is because Rutgers was able to take the three-point game away from Notre Dame overall.