The Notre Dame basketball team will play Rutgers in a First Four matchup as we kick off the 2022 Men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament.
When it comes to the 2021-22 Notre Dame basketball team, many felt they would have to participate in the play-in game for a chance to make it to the Field of 64. That became reality on Selection Sunday, as the Irish punched their ticket to their first NCAA Tournament since the 2016-17 season, but will have to take on Rutgers Wednesday night for a chance to play Alabama in first-round play.
It has been an exciting season for this basketball team, as the seniors have stepped up all season long. Blake Wesley has emerged as a legitimate NBA first-round prospect in his first season in South Bend, and there have been long stretches of success throughout.
Now, they turn their focus to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, a team that had solid success in 2021-22 as well, including becoming the first unranked team to beat four ranked teams in four straight games. They have playmakers, including Ron Harper Jr., who has led the team in scoring the last two seasons.
This has a chance to be an exciting matchup on Wednesday night inside the UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio. Here, we look at three reasons why the Irish will win.
Notre Dame basketball: 3 reasons the Irish will beat Rutgers in the First Four
No. 1: Notre Dame from the outside
The Notre Dame basketball team made a living from the outside this past season, as they have numerous players who can get hot from beyond the arc on this roster. On Wednesday night, that is going to be crucial for the Irish, as they are not particularly strong on the offensive glass, and will struggle to get second-chance opportunities.
Looking at the roster, Dane Goodwin, Prentiss Hubb, Blake Wesley, and Cormac Ryan can all fill it up from the outside, and that should give the Irish an advantage against Rutgers. Notre Dame had multiple games this season where they hit better than 40 percent from the outside, and going into tournament play, they are going to need their shooters to shoot.
When Rutgers was struggling this season, they were getting killed from the three-point line, as teams were making nearly five more from the outside than they were. That is the kind of difference the Irish need to have in this game, as that could turn this game on its head, and force Rutgers to be more aggressive on the perimeter, opening up lanes for the Irish to get to the basket and finish.
Notre Dame basketball: 3 reasons the Irish will beat Rutgers in the First Four
No. 2: Rutgers struggles away from the RAC
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights have had their fair share of highs this season, and inside their own building, they are one of the tougher teams in the country. Much like the Irish, the Scarlet Knights have dominated at home, putting together some of their biggest wins of the season.
Unfortunately, they struggle in a big way on the road, and while this is not technically a road game, they are still playing away from the RAC. Notre Dame has also had their share of issues on the road this season, including losing their last two, but they also showed themselves to be strong at times as well.
Big victories against Clemson and NC State on the road come to mind, as do some games where they had to pull away late. If they can get Rutgers on the ropes early on in this one, they have enough veteran leadership and experience to be able to hold on, as Rutgers won’t have the home faithful the way they would if they were in New Brunswick.
Notre Dame basketball: 3 reasons the Irish will beat Rutgers in the First Four
No. 3: Irish Depth
Finally, the biggest advantage that Notre Dame has in this one is depth, as Rutgers does not have much in terms of front-court support. Sure, they have a tremendous center in Clifford Omoruyi, but outside of him, the Irish should be able to handle whoever the Scarlet Knights put down low in the paint.
On the outside, Rutgers has scorers, but they rely way too much on Ron Harper Jr. and Geo Baker, so a cold night from either of those players could swing this game into the Irish’s favor. Harper Jr. has been outstanding during his collegiate career, but Baker is a very hot-and-cold player, and the Irish have more than enough guards to make it tough on him in this one.
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Overall, the Irish have a great chance to win against the Scarlet Knights, but Rutgers is a battle-tested team as well, making it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last year. If Notre Dame can come out and punch them in the face early, they should have enough to keep Rutgers at bay, but this is going to be a tough matchup on Wednesday night.