Hoops Preview: North Carolina A&T At Notre Dame
NOTRE DAME (7-0) VS. NORTH CAROLINA A&T (1-6)
Where: Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center
Rankings: Neither team is ranked.
Time/TV: 5 p.m./ACC Network Extra
Matchup history: Sunday is the first ever matchup between Notre Dame and North Carolina A&T.
Notre Dame Notes
Notre Dame is off to a 7-0 start, the second best open to a season in the Mike Brey era. The only season better was an 8-0 start in 2010-11. The Irish went on to finish 27-7 that year.
After Sunday’s game against North Carolina A&T and Tuesday’s game against Fort Wayne, Notre Dame will have played eight home games. That familiarity at home has boosted the Irish to their strong start.
“It’s been great for us, building everyone’s confidence,” senior wing V.J. Beachem said. “These two home games we have before we play some big neutral site games will be big for us as well.”
Beachem, of course, is referring to games against defending national champion Villanova Dec. 10 in Newark, N.J., and the Crossroads Classic against Purdue Dec. 17 in Indianapolis.
Those will be the two biggest tests of Notre Dame’s non-conference schedule, and a win in either game could go a long way toward a potential NCAA Tournament at-large bid.
Matt Farrell — A perfect 19-for-19 from the free-throw line, tied for best in the country.
Steve Vasturia — In the Legends Classic this season, he reached 1,000 points, the 59th Notre Dame player to achieve that feat.
V.J. Beachem — The Naismith Award and Wooden Award watch list member is averaging 16.9 points per game this season.
Bonzie Colson — Has recorded four straight double-doubles entering Sunday’s game.
Martinas Geben — Played a crucial 11 minutes against Iowa before fouling out, providing a toughness during the Irish comeback.
North Carolina A&T Overview
The Aggies, a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, are coming off an 85-67 loss to North Dakota State on Friday.
NC A&T’s only win this season is over Division III Greensboro in the opener.
Under first-year head coach Jay Joyner, the Aggies are averaging 58.7 points per game, which ranks 348th in Division I. They are allowing 69.1 points per game, which ranks 137th.
Meanwhile, Notre ranks third in the ACC in scoring (86.6) and fifth in scoring defense (64.0).
Junior guard Sam Hunt leads the Aggies in scoring at 13.1 points per game.
“They’re a very athletic team, kind of like a lot of teams in the ACC so we’ve got to be ready to play,” Beachem said. “We’ll play our game and be great defensively. Getting off to a great start defensively will be huge for us like it’s been all year.”
Outlook
Notre Dame should have little trouble with the Aggies, who are among the nation's worst in scoring. Not that the Irish need another tune-up entering key games against Villanova and Purdue, but this is another opportunity to work out any kinks.
Prediction: Notre Dame 92, North Carolina A&T 55
Vegas Spread: N/A