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Notre Dame Basketball: Comparing to West Virginia by the Numbers

By Noah Strackbein

Mar 16, 2017; Buffalo, NY, USA; Princeton Tigers guard Amir Bell (5) tries to drive between Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Rex Pflueger (left) and guard Matt Farrell (5) in the second half during the first round of the NCAA Tournament at KeyBank Center. Notre Dame won 60-58. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2017; Buffalo, NY, USA; Princeton Tigers guard Amir Bell (5) tries to drive between Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Rex Pflueger (left) and guard Matt Farrell (5) in the second half during the first round of the NCAA Tournament at KeyBank Center. Notre Dame won 60-58. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports /
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Notre Dame basketball takes on West Virginia in the round of 32, and the numbers say this should be one of the best matchups of the tournament.

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The Fighting Irish barely got out of the opening round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament against Princeton. West Virginia isn’t a Cinderella story, but they do compare to Notre Dame is almost every category.

Starting with the differences, Notre Dame is a much stronger defensive team. The Irish have allowed a solid 58 points per game to opponents this season. West Virginia, on the other hand, has won most of their games through their offense. The Mountaineers gave up an astonishing 80 PPG to opposing teams this year, even if their perimeter defense is one of the best in the country.

Where West Virginia shines on the defensive end is steals. The Mountaineers average 10.3 steals per game, starting with Jevon Carter, who records 2.6 steals per contest. The four other players who average at least a steal per game give West Virginia some of the quickest hands in college basketball.

Notre Dame does produce a decent amount of steals, but their 7.1 isn’t quite where West Virginia is. Matt Farrell leads the Irish with 1.5 steals per game, followed by Steve Vasturia with 1.2. The Irish only three players averaging a steal a game, but they still produce enough turnovers to qualify as one of the better defenses in the NCAA.

When it comes to the offensive end, West Virginia may score more points, but their field goal percentage is neck and neck. The Mountaineers score roughly 82 points per contest, compared to the Irish’s 77.5. West Virginia is shooting 45.8% from the field, while Notre Dame is sinking 45.9% of their shots.

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These two offenses are two of the best in the West region. They’ve gotten to where they are today through their sound offensive play, and with the way they played in the first round, it’ll come down to the offensive side once again.

Where West Virginia gains the advantage in this matchup is rebounds. Notre Dame has the best big man in the ACC, but as a whole, the Irish only average 33.8 boards per game. The Mountaineers are winning the battle of the boards this season, averaging 37.4 rebounds per contest.

This doesn’t mean Bonzie Colson and the Irish frontcourt will be outmatched in this one, but coming into it, West Virginia has the statistical upper hand. But, as we’ve watched all season, Colson doesn’t need much help to win the battle in the paint. Proving, that even if he can produce 10-plus rebounds, Notre Dame should win this fight down low.

In the assists department, West Virginia gains the upper hand by .9. When you have point guards like Matt Farrell and Jevon Carter, most of your offense flows smoothly. With a strong first pass and a group of players who work together, you tend to find open shots. For these two teams, most of their offense runs through quick passes, producing efficient shot selections.

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Notre Dame’s advantage is through offensive efficiency. The Fighting Irish led the ACC in turnovers, giving up just nine per game. The Mountaineers aren’t too far behind, turning the ball over just 12 times a game.

With a four-guard lineup, Notre Dame runs most of their offense through the perimeter, and with their high assist totals come low turnovers. The Irish are one of the most efficient teams on the offensive end, and when they control the ball, they usually pull off the victory.

What wins in March, though, is free throw shooting. When you run into some of the closest games of the season, more times than not, it comes down to shooting percentage at the line. For Notre Dame, they have an advantage over the entire bracket, leading the NCAA in free throw percentage.

Their astonishing 79% from the line has gotten them out of more than one situation this season. West Virginia isn’t as successful, shooting just 68%. Although both teams can finish from the line, in dire circumstances, Notre Dame is almost automatic from the line, and if it comes down to it, they could put this game away with a free shot.

The stats have no clear winner. Both of these teams can do it all and produce numbers others teams would never be able to handle. Against each other, the stats show this one should be one of the best matchups in the NCAA Tournament.

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If it comes down to it, Irish fans everywhere are hoping their nation-leading free throw percentage can help them escape a close game. All season, they’ve proven they can survive situations no one expects them to. In this one, it could be one final shot to get them through to the Sweet 16.