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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 Florida State
NCAA Basketball: Notre Dame at Florida State /

Steals – 190 (70th in the NCAA)

The say defense wins championships. Well, Notre Dame has the offensive part down, so why not get the defensive side of the ball as well. With 190 steals on the year, the Irish are winning the battle on both sides of the ball with nothing but fight.

This team is one of, if not the most, hard-working group of players in the country. Scrappy would be the best description of the Irish. A bunch of players who will dive after every ball and match up with anyone on the opposing team without blinking an eye.

Seven steals per game is impressive. But when you see how they produce these numbers you’d be even more shocked. Yes, there are pick-pockets throughout any game, but with the Irish, many of these come from diving in front of a pass or on the floor to recover a loose ball.

Led by Farrell (1.4) and Vasturia (1.2), the Irish have become just as strong on defense as they have offense. Becoming the well-rounded team a group like their needs to be, Notre Dame has made themselves a nightmare to anyone.

With Temple Gibbs, one of the meanest players on the defensive end, joining the starting lineup, this team is now one of the best in the country. Don’t be surprised to see these totals climb during the this last stretch of games and into the conference tournament.