Notre Dame basketball: 3 takeaways from the win against CS Northridge

The Notre Dame basketball team got the season started on the right foot, defeating CS Northridge comfortably. Here are three takeaways from win No. 1.

Going up against CS Northridge, nobody really expected the Notre Dame basketball team to lose their season opener. They were 20-plus point favorites against the Matadors, and despite only leading by six at the half, they dominated, cruising to a 68-52 victory inside Purcell Pavilion.

It is always nice to get started on the right foot, and the Irish are 22-0 in season openers with Mike Brey at the helm. Here, we look at some takeaways from win No. 1.

Notre Dame basketball: 3 takeaways from the win against CS Northridge

Blake Wesley is the real deal

True freshman Blake Wesley got his collegiate career started in style, leading the Irish in scoring, as he poured in 21 points off the bench. A native of South Bend, there was a ton of excitement when he decided that Notre Dame would be his college of choice, and based on one game, this is going to be a special player in South Bend.

Paul Atkinson Jr. is going to be a difference-maker

After losing Juwan Durham, the Irish needed a player who could be a difference-maker in the post, and Paul Atkinson Jr. is going to be just that for the 2021-22 squad. The transfer from Yale was as good as advertised, as the former Ivy League co-Player of the Year racked up 16 points and pulled down six rebounds.

Prentiss Hubb has to be better

The one issue with the Irish in this one was the play of Prentiss Hubb, the unquestioned leader of this team, and one of the better points guards in the ACC. Hubb was held scoreless in this game, going 0-6 from the field, including 0-5 from the three-point line, though he did hand out six assists.