Notre Dame’s men’s basketball team is set to face Cal in Berkeley on Friday night, aiming for a strong start in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play. A victory would give the Fighting Irish a 2-0 record, marking their best start in ACC competition since the 2017-18 season.
Game Details
The clash will be Notre Dame’s inaugural visit to Haas Pavilion. The Irish have a slight edge in the series history, leading 2-1 against the Golden Bears. Notably, the last meeting saw Notre Dame prevail in a thrilling four-overtime match, with Markus Burton scoring a remarkable 43 points.
Current Team Stats
- Notre Dame enters the game with a record of 10-4.
- Cal holds a 12-2 record heading into Friday’s match.
- Notre Dame recently secured a defensive victory against Stanford, winning 47-40.
- Cal faced a setback against Louisville, losing 90-70.
Key Players
The Golden Bears are currently performing well, particularly in three-point shooting, ranking second in the ACC with a 38.5% success rate from beyond the arc. Dai Dai Ames leads Cal with an average of 17.2 points per game, contributing significantly to their offensive play.
Notable Performances from Notre Dame
Defensive Success
Notre Dame’s recent triumph was fueled by a strong defensive strategy, holding Stanford to their lowest scoring output in 27 years. Jalen Haralson shined for the Irish, scoring in double figures for 12 consecutive games.
Emerging Stars
- Brady Koehler had a critical impact during the Stanford game, scoring seven consecutive points.
- Garrett Sundra hit key back-to-back three-pointers late in the game.
Coaching Insights
Coach Micah Shrewsberry emphasized the importance of defensive efforts moving forward. With the team showing strong defensive capabilities, the Irish aim to build on their momentum from the Stanford win.
Looking Ahead
As the team prepares for their first matchup against Cal this season, they are looking for opportunities to secure a potential Quad 1 victory. The game provides a chance for Notre Dame to solidify their place in the standings as they strive for continued success in ACC play.
