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Notre Dame basketball: 3 things we learned in the win against UNC on January 5

By Brad Weiss

Jan 5, 2022; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Blake Wesley (0) goes up for a shot as North Carolina Tar Heels forward Armando Bacot (5) defends in the second half at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2022; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Blake Wesley (0) goes up for a shot as North Carolina Tar Heels forward Armando Bacot (5) defends in the second half at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 5, 2022; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Nate Laszewski (14) shoots a three-point basket in the second half against the North Carolina Tar Heels at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2022; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Nate Laszewski (14) shoots a three-point basket in the second half against the North Carolina Tar Heels at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

Notre Dame basketball: 3 things we learned in the win against UNC

Nate Laszewski has ice in his veins

During the 2020-21 season, Nate Laszewski established himself as one of the better players in the ACC, and one of the more consistent scorers. Big Nate became a leader for this Irish team, getting the job done on the inside, as well as out, and on Wednesday night, he showed that he can put the team on his back whenever they need.

Laszewski lit it up from beyond the three-point line, going 6-of-7 from deep, and finishing with a team-high 20 points in the victory. While Blake Wesley got a ton of looks early on, scoring 13 of his 18 points in the first half, it was Laszewski who sealed the deal for the Irish against the Tar Heels, leading the team with not only points but also eight rebounds.

The Irish do not have many big men, as only Laszewski and Paul Atkinson get the majority of the playing time, as the team runs with a deep set of guards. However, for the Irish to do anything down the stretch, and possibly make a run during the NCAA Tournament, they are going to need their big man to step up the way he did late in the win against North Carolina.