Preview: Notre Dame vs. Rutgers
17th Feb 2008
Notre Dame will be taking on Rutgers in Piscataway, New Jersey today at 12:00 EST. The Scarlet Knights are currently tied for last place in the Big East while the Irish are now 1 game behind the leaders, Georgetown and Louisville. Rutgers has really been struggling lately (well the whole season), losing it’s last five games, which include two rough overtime losses to Seton Hall and Cincinnati. Mike Brey and his team will be looking to bounce back after the loss to Connecticut, who barely escaped an upset by South Florida yesterday. Notre Dame will be looking to improve it’s record of 18-5 (8-3) as Rutgers tries to get back on track with their 10-16 (2-11) record.
The Irish haven’t always played well in Piscataway (3-7 all-time), but this should be an easy win for Notre Dame. Rutgers has lost 11 of their 13 conference games so far this season, although they did beat Pitt and Villanova. Last year the Irish defeated the Scarlet Knights at the RAC, 73-66, to extend the all-time series lead to 13-11. This shouldn’t be a tough one for Notre Dame but they need to start out strong.
Rutgers has three players who average over ten points. JR Inman is a 6′9″ Forward who leads the team with 12.9 points, Corey Chandler a 6′2″ Guard averages 12.0, and Anthony Farmer is a 6′1″ Guard who gets roughly 10.3 per game. Inman and 6′11″ Center Hamady N’Diaye will most likely split time trying to stop the beast, Luke Harangody. Either way Luke should be able to score easily on this Scarlet Knights and put up another double-double.
Harangody has recorded six double-doubles in a row and currently averages (20.8) points per game, which is among the nation’s best. He is still second in rebounds in the Big East with 10.4 per contest and still in first in scoring. Luke continues to prove that he is the best player in the Big East each and every game and should have no problem showing that off again at 12:00. Look for him to have a big game and score a lot early.
Kyle McAlarney and Rob Kurz will each be looking to bounce back from slow games against Connecticut. McAlarney only hit two three’s out of seven attempts last Wednesday, finishing with 12 points. Kurz played 21 minutes in the loss and only scored two points the entire game, much below his season average of 12.3. They should both play much better later on today and provide greater assistance to their team.
I want to say, and believe, that this game will be an easy win for the Irish, but you never know when in comes to games in the Big East. Upsets occur every week, but that’s not going to happen today. Notre Dame is going to run over Rutgers in The RAC and continue to pave their way to the tournaments. Once again the game is on at 12:00 EST, it may be on ESPN regionally, but if not, tune in to UND.com for live play-by-play audio. Beat Rutgers, and as always, Go Irish!
