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Notre Dame Men’s Basketball: Irish need to make a statement Wednesday

By Brad Weiss

Dec 12, 2020; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Devin Askew (2) pressures Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Prentiss Hubb (3) during the second half at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Arden Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2020; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Devin Askew (2) pressures Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Prentiss Hubb (3) during the second half at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Arden Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Notre Dame Men’s Basketball team needs to make a statement on Wednesday, building confidence before the Virginia matchup on December 30.

The Notre Dame Men’s Basketball team will tip it off this afternoon, as they welcome the 1-2 Bellarmine Knights to Purcell Pavilion. The Knights have had a bunch of games canceled due to COVID going into this game, and as a brand new D1 program, the Irish should be able to take care of business.

Notre Dame has lost two straight games heading into this matchup, but they are getting stronger, thanks to the emergence of Trey Wertz. Since joining the active roster, Wertz has averaged 18 points per game, including a 27-point outburst in a loss against Purdue the last time out.

Wertz joins five members of the Irish basketball team that are scoring in double figures this season, including fellow guard Prentiss Hubb, who is second behind Wertz with 16. 2 points per game. Nate Laszewski has been terrific for the Irish all season long, nearly averaging a double-double, and proving to be trouble on the inside, and out.

End round start to season on a high note

The Irish will be looking to close out a tough start to the calendar year by putting together back-to-back wins against Bellarmine and Virginia. The first should be an easy task, as the Irish have much more talent than the new D1 program, but Virginia is once again one of the best teams in the country this season.

Notre Dame has already played Michigan State, Kentucky, Ohio State, and Duke this season, so head coach Mike Brey has definitely gotten the most out of his early-season schedule. For the Irish, getting a win against Bellarmine will help get them some confidence going into the Virginia game, where a top-25 ranked team awaits them once again.

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Brey said that he wanted to play a tough schedule this season, and he certainly has put his team through a tough test early on. Hopefully, they can right the ship, and all of these tough early-season games can help this experienced roster be ready for the NCAA Tournament, that is if they put together enough wins to get in.