Tag: ACC Basketball

Watch: Muffet McGraw’s Emotional Response to Blowout Loss

As frustrating as it’s been for fans and players, it’s been that much harder on legendary head coach Muffet McGraw and she let it show after Sunday’s game.

It’s been a trying year for Notre Dame Women’s Basketball.

Rebuilds are tough and whether you like it or not, it’s what you get when your five best players from a season ago are playing in the WNBA now.

After a decade of Final Four appearances being the norm, getting even a home victory has become tough as the Irish sit just 6-11 overall and 1-4 in ACC play after getting routed Sunday by No. 9 North Carolina State.

As frustrating as it’s been for fans and players, it’s been that much harder on legendary head coach Muffet McGraw and she let it show after Sunday’s game.

An incredibly rare moment to see a coach wear their emotions on their sleeve quite like that, especially one as accomplished as McGraw.

Hopefully this dark season is an exception and things get turned around soon because seeings videos like this much longer will get rather tough to watch.

Notre Dame Women’s Basketball Roughed Up by NC State

Three separate 6-0 runs by the Wolfpack in the quarter helped guide them take 39-25 lead to halftime before a monstrous 16-1 run to start the third quarter but things out of reach.

A frustrating season met an incredibly frustrating match Sunday as the Notre Dame Women were blown out at home against No. 9 North Carolina State, 90-56.

Anaya Peoples left halfway through the second quarter, aggravating a shoulder injury that has bothered her throughout the year. Three separate 6-0 runs by the Wolfpack in the quarter helped guide them take 39-25 lead to halftime before a monstrous 16-1 run to start the third quarter but things out of reach.

Elissa Cunane was too much as the Wolfpack starting center put up a team-high 22 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. Jada Boyd added another 16 points and six rebounds off the bench for the now 15-1 Wolfpack who improved to 4-1 in ACC play.

Katlyn Gilbert led the Irish with a game-high 25 points while Destinee Walker was the only other Irish player to score more than six, as she put down 11 points on the afternoon.

Notre Dame falls to 6-11 overall and just 1-4 in ACC play. They return to action Thursday night when they travel to Durham to take on Duke in a game that can be seen on ACC Network.

Notre Dame Basketball: Irish Come Back, Can’t Close vs. Cardinals

It would have been easy for Notre Dame to pack it in against No. 13 Louisville after shooting 31 percent from the field in the first half, including 2 of 13 from 3-point range. Instead, after trailing by as much as 16, the Irish roared back in the …

It would have been easy for Notre Dame to pack it in against No. 13 Louisville after shooting 31 percent from the field in the first half, including 2 of 13 from 3-point range. Instead, after trailing by as much as 16, the Irish roared back in the second half to lead by as much as four. But the Cardinals went back out in front and ultimately hung on, 67-64.

The Irish (10-6, 1-4) had a chance to send the game to overtime after John Mooney stole the ball with 37 seconds left. After they took their time looking for a good shot, Prentiss Hubb was short on a close layup. Nate Laszewski got the offensive rebound, but Mooney had to force a desperation corner 3 as time expired. It didn’t fall, and the Cardinals (13-3, 4-1) were victorious.

Mooney had his 10th double-double of the season with 15 points and 19 rebounds. T.J. Gibbs also scored 15. Dane Goodwin came off the bench and contributed 14 points, including four 3-pointers. Rex Pflueger scored six in his first game back from a knee injury.

Notre Dame Basketball: Leaning on Louisville Game

We might only be a week into January, but Notre Dame (10-5, 1-3) suddenly finds itself needing a few wins after getting off to a shaky start in ACC play. Having to play at No. 13 Louisville (12-3, 3-1) on Saturday doesn’t make the trek any easier. …

We might only be a week into January, but Notre Dame (10-5, 1-3) suddenly finds itself needing a few wins after getting off to a shaky start in ACC play. Having to play at No. 13 Louisville (12-3, 3-1) on Saturday doesn’t make the trek any easier. This is the team that took out the Irish in the second round of last year’s ACC tournament. Granted, the Irish were unable to compete with many teams as last season progressed because of injuries, but that doesn’t make the final memory of the 2018-19 sting any less.

While the Cardinals undoubtedly will keep their eyes on John Mooney, who will be going for his 10th straight double-double and 13th this season, it also would be a good idea to watch Prentiss Hubb. The sophomore guard has scored 57 points in his past three games while shooting 13 of 28 from 3-point territory. He also has 18 assists and four steals during that time.

Notre Dame Basketball: Irish Can’t Hold On vs. Wolfpack

If Notre Dame wants to get to the Big Dance, games like Wednesday’s only will hurt its resume. The Irish led by as much as 12 in the second half before slipping up and ultimately collapsing in a 73-68 loss, sending them tied for last in the ACC. The …

If Notre Dame wants to get to the Big Dance, games like Wednesday’s only will hurt its resume. The Irish led by as much as 12 in the second half before slipping up and ultimately collapsing in a 73-68 loss, sending them tied for last in the ACC.

The Irish (10-5, 1-3) found themselves on the short end of an 11-2 run by the Wolfpack (11-4, 2-2) to tie the game at 60. From there, Notre Dame took the lead a few more times before falling behind and ultimately faltering. The dagger came when Markell Johnson, who led all scorers with 27 points and had a game-high six assists, split the Irish defense and drove to the hoop for an underhanded layup with 53 seconds left, giving the Wolfpack a four-point lead.

Prentiss Hubb led the Irish, who played only six players, with 24 points. John Mooney kept the double-double streak going with 14 points and 14 rebounds. T.J. Gibbs had 14 points and six assists.

 

Notre Dame Basketball: Pack and the Irish

With reigning ACC Men’s Basketball Player of the Week John Mooney in tow, Notre Dame (10-4, 1-2) will play the back end of two consecutive road games Wednesday at NC State (10-4, 1-2). The Irish have had to get familiar with not playing conference …

With reigning ACC Men’s Basketball Player of the Week John Mooney in tow, Notre Dame (10-4, 1-2) will play the back end of two consecutive road games Wednesday at NC State (10-4, 1-2). The Irish have had to get familiar with not playing conference games at Purcell Pavilion as four of their first six ACC games are being played away from home.

The Irish have held up their reputation as being one of the smartest teams in the nation as they have fewer fouls (11.6) and turnovers (9.6) a game than anyone else. They also have the fewest total turnovers (134) and the top assist-to-turnover ratio (1.96). That makes them the only team to lead the country in four major statistical categories.

Lost in the Mooney love is a quieter productive player in Prentiss Hubb. In Saturday’s win over Syracuse, Hubb became the fifth-fast player in Notre Dame history to reach 200 assists for his career by dishing out a career-high 11. He also made a key 3-pointer and two clutch free throws as the Irish tried to come back and then hold on against the Orange.

Notre Dame Basketball: Mooney Earns Weekly Honor Again

Notre Dame revolves around the double-double machine that is John Mooney, and for the second time this season, the ACC revolves around him. The senior forward was named the conference’s Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for games played during the …

Notre Dame revolves around the double-double machine that is John Mooney, and for the second time this season, the ACC revolves around him. The senior forward was named the conference’s Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for games played during the week of Dec. 30. He also won for games played the week of Nov. 11, making him the first conference player this season to win the honor twice.

Mooney had a game to remember in Saturday’s thrilling come-from-behind win over Syracuse, tying his career high of 28 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. It was the second time this season he scored at least 25 points and at least 10 boards. His biggest moment of game came with 36 seconds left, when his offensive rebound and putback gave Notre Dame the lead for good. He shot 11 for 21 from the field over 32 minutes.

Duke forward Matthew Hurt was named the ACC Freshman of the Week, the second Blue Devil to earn the honor this season after Vernon Carey Jr., who has won it three times.

Watch: Highlights of Notre Dame’s Win at Syracuse

Notre Dame avoided an 0-3 start in ACC play with an 88-87 win at Syracuse on Saturday.

Notre Dame avoided an 0-3 ACC start by winning their second straight game at the Carrier Dome over Syracuse, 88-87.

The Fighting Irish started strong, stumbled through some of the middle part before rallying very late to walk out victorious.

In case you missed the game or if you’d like to relive it, check out the highlights as winning at Syracuse never gets old.

Notre Dame looks to get to .500 in ACC play Wednesday night when they travel to take on North Carolina State.

Notre Dame Basketball Earns Much-Needed Victory at Syracuse

Hubb would go on to hit a game-tying three to knot things up at 84 before he hit a pair of free throws that ultimately made the final 88-87 difference.

After dropping both split-ACC contests this season in the opener at North Carolina and the early December home affair with Boston College, Notre Dame needed an ACC win in the worst way possible.

Factor in the Irish had won just three of their previous 21 regular season conference games dating back to March of 2018 and the need for a win was only that more obvious.

Thanks to shooting 15 of 31 beyond the arc (48.4%) the Irish were able to get by Syracuse for the third straight time in the Carrier Dome, 88-87.

Notre Dame had been shooting just 33.8% from three-point range entering Saturday so it was pleasant change of pace for the now 10-4 overall and 1-2 in ACC-play, Fighting Irish.

12 of those 15 three’s came from Prentiss Hubb and TJ Gibbs who had six each and combined for 43 points. John Mooney did his standard double-double thing, scoring 28 while pulling down 14 rebounds.

Leading 70-69 with just over five minutes left Hubb had a bad moment, bumping into Joe Girard and getting hit with a technical foul.

Girard would then score the next ten Syracuse points starting with the two free-throws for the technical and the Orange took a 79-75 lead with 3:37 to go.

Juwan Durham has a put-back before a pair of free-throws by Hubb brought the Irish within an 82-81 deficit with 1:51 to go.

Hubb would go on to hit a game-tying three to knot things up at 84 before he hit a pair of free throws that ultimately made the final 88-87 difference.

Notre Dame improves to 10-4 on the year and 1-2 in ACC play while Syracuse falls to 1-2 in the ACC and saw their three game winning streak end.

Notre Dame returns to action Wednesday night when they’ll take on the Wolfpack of North Carolina State in Raleigh.

Notre Dame Basketball: Irish Survive Back-and-Forth With Orange

Desperate to get in the win column for ACC play, Notre Dame found itself in a contest with Syracuse on Saturday in which the lead changed 18 times. Whenever one team gained momentum, the other would take it right back. Ultimately, it was the Irish …

Desperate to get in the win column for ACC play, Notre Dame found itself in a contest with Syracuse on Saturday in which the lead changed 18 times. Whenever one team gained momentum, the other would take it right back. Ultimately, it was the Irish coming out on top in a wild contest, 88-87, for their first conference win of the year.

John Mooney (28 points, 14 rebounds) broke an 84-all tie with 39.7 seconds left when he got his own rebound off a miss and laid the ball back up and in. It gave Notre Dame the lead for good.

Prentiss Hubb (22 points, nine assists) made it 88-84 with two free throws, and Syracuse struggled to hit a 3-pointer on their final possession. Joseph Girard III finally knocked down a trey with 0.4 seconds left, but by then, the Irish only had to inbound the ball successfully to finish the win. Girard tried to draw a foul on his shot for a potential four-point play, but it was ruled a flop.

T.J. Gibbs scored 21 points for the Irish with all of his field goals coming on 3s. Rex Plueger was involved with a collision that aggravated his surgically-repaired left knee and didn’t play in the second half. However, he wasn’t about to let that diminish his postgame enthusiasm.