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Notre Dame Basketball: The Irish Stat Line to Success

By Noah Strackbein

Jan 21, 2017; South Bend, IN, USA; The Notre Dame Fighting Irish bench reacts after an Irish three point basket in the first half against the Syracuse Orange at the Purcell Pavilion. Notre Dame won 84-66. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2017; South Bend, IN, USA; The Notre Dame Fighting Irish bench reacts after an Irish three point basket in the first half against the Syracuse Orange at the Purcell Pavilion. Notre Dame won 84-66. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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NCAA Basketball: Notre Dame at Boston College
NCAA Basketball: Notre Dame at Boston College /

Assists – 446 (23rd in the NCAA)

With four five guards averaging more than 15 minutes a game, four of them averaging at least 20, it’s hard not to see high assists marks coming. Breaking down to 17 assists per game, the Fighting Irish have played more like a unit than almost any team in the nation. At 23rd in total assists, Notre Dame uses quick ball movement to produce a ton of quality offensive possessions.

These assists have led to a 47% field goal percentage and a 39% 3-point success rate. When you’re dishing out dimes like these Irish guards are, it’s hard to deny that the buckets are going to start flowing.

This stat comes in bunches too. Notre Dame doesn’t have one player handing out double digit assists a night. Actually, Farrell is the leading passer for the Irish with 5.5 assists per contest. Behind him, the only other player over two a night is Vasturia with 3.4.

It’s been a group effort to find the open man this season. Notre Dame continues to look for the best shot, and it’s showed in their numbers. When you can consistently find ways to get players open looks, you tend to put up big shooting numbers. Which is exactly what Notre Dame has done.

Without a dominate passing guard, most teams find themselves with low assist rates. But the Irish have found that working together is the key to success, and it’s led them to the 23rd best passing offense.