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Notre Dame Basketball: 3 Bold predictions against Syracuse

By Brad Weiss

Jan 4, 2020; Syracuse, New York, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Prentiss Hubb (3) and forward Nate Laszewski (14) react after their game against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2020; Syracuse, New York, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Prentiss Hubb (3) and forward Nate Laszewski (14) react after their game against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Notre Dame basketball star Nate Laszewski. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Notre Dame basketball star Nate Laszewski. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

Notre Dame basketball breaks Syracuse’s 2-3 zone

The Syracuse Orange and head coach Jim Boeheim are famous for their zone defense, a defense that has helped them to multiple Final Four appearances during his long career at the school, and one national title. The 2-3 look can frustrate teams, as they try to work the ball inside, but if you are lighting it up from the three-point line, there is plenty of opportunities to rack up points.

While teams have struggled against the Orange from beyond the arc this season, the Notre Dame basketball team is one that has plenty of guys who can get it done from three. On Saturday, I believe that the Irish’s clutch shooting from the outside will break Boeheim’s zone defense, leading to a lot of points coming from beyond the arc.

Guys like Nate Laszewski, Dane Goodwin, Cormac Ryan, and Prentiss Hubb can all get it going from three-point land, and they will have some open shots inside the Carrier Dome on Saturday. I expect that not only do the Irish fill it up from three, but it ends up breaking the zone defense, giving the advantage to the Notre Dame basketball team on that side of the floor.