ND faces big challenge against No. 1 Syracuse
Notre Dame needed overtime to finally stop its tailspin. “I’m exhausted,” coach Mike Brey told reporters after Saturday’s thrilling 76-73 victory against Boston College.
The Irish won’t have much time to recover after winning for just the second time in eight games. Notre Dame (12-10, 3-6 ACC) returns to action today, traveling to Syracuse.
The Orange (21-0, 8-0) will likely be the No. 1 team in the country when the top 25 poll is released today. Syracuse also had to go to overtime Saturday to pull out a victory, topping Duke 91-89 in a classic at the Carrier Dome. The No. 1 team, Arizona, lost late Saturday to California. Syracuse is off to the best start in the program’s history. “What a great opportunity for us,” Brey said. “We won’t have much of a shot up there. Maybe they’ll be number one in the country. But I sure like going up to Syracuse and competing Monday night after what happened (Saturday) than the alternative.
“We’ll go up there with a positive frame of mind. With nothing to lose. And we’ll let it rip.”
Freshman V.J. Beachem took that approach against Boston College. The forward had his best game with the Irish, scoring 10 points. He made key baskets at critical parts of the game.
“It was just a matter of time,” Brey said. “The kid’s a heck of a player, and he’s really shot it well in practice, and he’s practiced well. He’s had some good games for us, but in league play — and he hasn’t gotten great opportunities — but I think he’s played a little bit nervous — too nervous. And I talked to him about that last week. I said, ‘If you miss a shot, I’m not taking you out. Just play. You’re going to play, we need you.’ So I’m very excited.
“Here it is Feb. 1 and we win a game we really needed, and we maybe have another guy trending up. And so we’re trying to figure out who we are for the ACC tournament, and now we have three freshmen getting more confident, and they’re going to get better. They’re all part of it. That’s exciting for me right now as we go through the month of February.”