Notre Dame was in search of its first quality win of the season. It needed one after a disappointing loss to St. Bonaventure that it never really was in. As it turned out, playing a shorthanded No. 20 Michigan State team in the final ACC-Big Ten Challenge was just what the doctor ordered as the Irish won, 70-52, to clinch the challenge for the ACC. In fact, they never trailed aside from the Spartans scoring the game’s first basket.
The Irish (6-1) jumped out to a big lead in the first half and never looked back. Although there wasn’t as much offense in the second half, there was just enough for the Irish to maintain their dominance over the Spartans (5-3), who were missing Jaden Akins and Malik Hall.
Here are five takeaways from this big victory: