Notre Dame (11-6, 2-4) will return after a week-long absence from the hardwood on Wednesday when it welcomes Syracuse (11-7, 4-3) to South Bend. The Irish, already having beaten the Orange at the Carrier Dome on Jan. 4, will try to sweep the season series. They’ll need to in order to have some momentum ahead Saturday’s road game against No. 5 Florida State.
As tough as it’s been for the Irish during ACC play, the schedule hasn’t done them any favors. Only they and Georgia Tech have had to play five of their first eight conference games on the road. Then again, they’ve lost both ACC contests they’ve played at Purcell Pavilion this season, so this is a game they desperately need.
John Mooney has had a historic season, reaching one milestone and record after another. A double-double against Syracuse would be his 12th straight, and it would give him the Notre Dame record for the longest such streak, breaking a tie with Luke Harangody, who has stood at the top since the 2008-09 season.