ND rides Jersey flare into ACC final

Whether it’s the New Jersey flavor of the lineup or the subway alumni in the stands, Notre Dame feels at home in Barclays Center. They sure looked like they owned the place in Friday’s 77-73 ACC semifinal win over Florida State.

The Irish’s win came before 18,109, the biggest crowd ever to watch a college basketball game in Barclays Center and one that included New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie behind the bench. It was their victory seventh straight in the building, and it sent them through to Saturday’s final against 14thranked Duke.

“We believe here,” coach Mike Brey said.

The Irish should believe against Duke, as well. Brey is 5-3 against his mentor, Mike Krzyzewski, and after winning the ACC title two years ago, they have a great shot at another banner Saturday.

Especially if Christie’s constituency plays this well again. FSU’s Xavier Rathan-Mayes is regarded as the best ball-pressure guard in the ACC, but Notre Dame’s New Jersey backcourt held up just fine.

The Irish went small, as usual, with 6-foot-5 Bonzie Colson at center. He tied a teamhigh with 18 points, while Steve Vasturia of Medford (N.J.) had 18 points and three steals and hit 4-of-5 from behind the arc. Junior guard Matt Farrell from Bridgewater (N.J.) added 15 points and six of the Irish’s 17 assists.

“Yeah, it’s obvious we have a lot of fun playing here,” Farrell said. “For me, it’s fun playing close to home, a lot of family and friends here.

“All of us are just really comfortable here with the things that have happened in the past with us playing here. A lot of guys enjoy it here. A lot of guys love being in the city, and we just have a lot of fun together here.”