Undefeated Notre Dame meets South Carolina State
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will host the South Carolina State Bulldogs on Wednesday night at Purcell Pavilion, setting up a clash between two undefeated teams.
Both programs entered the matchup with 3-0 records, according to fightingirish.com. The game, scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, serves as part of the ACC’s “Two Traditions. This Wednesday marks one of only 37 such games featured in the program.”
This contest represents the first-ever meeting between the Fighting Irish and the Bulldogs. While Notre Dame looks to maintain its momentum, South Carolina State arrives in South Bend following an 82-67 win over Chicago State on Monday. Beatline Sports reports that the Bulldogs’ undefeated status suggests a well-coached team that may challenge the Irish to maintain their defensive discipline.
The impact of defensive pressure
Notre Dame’s recent success has been defined by a sudden surge in defensive activity. In their 94-70 win over Eastern Illinois on Nov. 9, the Irish recorded 17 steals, a performance fightingirish.com notes is the fourth-highest single-game total in the program’s history. This defensive aggression has helped the team average 12.0 steals per game, ranking 24th nationally and third in the ACC.
Braeden Smith has been the primary driver of this defensive shift. The starting point guard has collected 11 steals through three games, an average of 3.7 per game that ranks ninth nationally. Smith is also facilitating the offense at a high level, averaging 7.0 assists per game, which fightingirish.com places second in the ACC and 22nd in the nation.
The Irish defense has been capable of overwhelming opponents through rapid scoring bursts. During the game against Eastern Illinois, the team orchestrated a 24-0 scoring run that lasted seven minutes, marking the longest such run in the Shrewsberry era.
Individual performances driving momentum
The Irish offense features a balanced attack, with all five starters currently averaging double-digit points. Logan Duncomb provided a standout performance in the previous outing, scoring 20 points on a perfect 9-for-9 shooting night, according to fightingirish.com. Beatline Sports added that Duncomb’s efficiency was a key catalyst in the decisive win over Eastern Illinois.
Sophomore Brady Koehler has also become a major offensive threat. Koehler is currently leading the team with 15.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. His shooting from beyond the arc has been particularly notable, as he currently holds a 7-for-10 clip from three-point range.
The following table breaks down the key statistical leaders for the Fighting Irish through the first three games of the season:
| Player | Stat Category | Value | National/Conference Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Braeden Smith | Steals Per Game | 3.7 | 9th Nationally / 2nd ACC |
| Braeden Smith | Assists Per Game | 7.0 | 22nd Nationally / 2nd ACC |
| Brady Koehler | Points Per Game | 15.7 | Team High |
| Logan Duncomb | Field Goal % (vs EIU) | 100% | 9-for-9 |
South Carolina State will rely on Noah Treadwell to counter this production. Treadwell is currently averaging 15.7 points per game, with 13 of his 15 made field goals being three-pointers.
Looking toward Las Vegas
The matchup against South Carolina State serves as a final home stand for Notre Dame before the team travels to Las Vegas for the Players Era Eight. The annual November event has been reorganized into two distinct brackets, and the Irish are positioned in next week’s PE 8.
Following the Wednesday night tilt, the Irish will prepare to open their Las Vegas schedule against No. 1 Florida next Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. ET. The team’s ability to maintain their undefeated streak against the Bulldogs may prove critical for their seeding and momentum heading into that high-profile tournament.
The Fighting Irish are currently 1,992-1,146-2 all-time. They are just six wins away from reaching the 2,000-win milestone, a feat achieved by only eight other programs in history.
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