Basketball preview: No. 1 Villanova vs. No. 23 Notre Dame
Previewing Saturday's matchup between No. 1 Villanova and No. 23 Notre Dame at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
No. 1 Villanova (9-0) vs. No. 23 Notre Dame (9-0)
When: Saturday at noon
Where: Prudential Center, Newark, N.J.
What: The Never Forget Tribute Classic, honoring the Northern New Jersey and New York area families of the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
TV/Radio: CBS3; WTEL-AM (610).
Coaches: Villanova, Jay Wright (16th season, 363-157; overall, 485-242); Notre Dame, Mike Brey (17th season, 365-177; overall, 464-229).
Series: Villanova leads, 18-16.
Last meeting: Notre Dame won at home, 65-60, on Jan. 30, 2013, its last game against Villanova as a member of the Big East.
Points per game: Villanova, 80.9 ppg.; Notre Dame, 88.9 ppg.
Opponents points per game: Villanova, 62.6 ppg.; Notre Dame, 63.7 ppg.
Villanova probable starters
G Jalen Brunson, 6-2 ½, So., 13.2 ppg., 3.4 apg.
G Josh Hart, 6-5 ½, Sr., 17.6 ppg., 6.7 rpg., 3.8 apg.
G/F Mikal Bridges, 6-7, So., 11.1 ppg., 5.1 rpg.
F Kris Jenkins, 6-6, Sr., 14.2 ppg., 4.1 rpg.
C Darryl Reynolds, 6-9, Sr., 6.2 ppg., 6.0 rpg.
Key reserves
G Donte DiVincenzo, 6-5, Fr., 8.4 ppg., 3.4 rpg.
F Eric Paschall, 6-7, Soph., 7.3 ppg., 3.9 rpg.
Notre Dame probable starters
G Matt Farrell, 6-1, Jr., 12.4 ppg., 5.4 apg.
G Steve Vasturia, 6-6, Sr., 16.4 ppg.
F Bonzie Colson, 6-5, Jr., 17.1 ppg., 11.1 rpg.
F V.J. Beachem, 6-8, Sr., 16.8 ppg., 4.6 rpg.
F Martinas Geben, 6-10, Jr., 3.4 ppg., 5.2 rpg.
Key reserves
F Matt Ryan, 6-7, So., 7.7 ppg.
G Rex Pflueger, 6-6, So., 6.1 ppg.
About Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish are one of the best in the nation at protecting the basketball, averaging just 8.1 turnovers per game, and boast an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.34. … Their switching defenses are a big reason why they have allowed opponents to shoot 37.8 percent from the field while forcing 14 turnovers per game. … As a team, they are shooting 85.9 percent from the free throw line, with Farrell at 100 percent (24 of 24), Vasturia at 96.8 percent and Colson at 91.7 percent. … Notre Dame has knocked down an average of 11 threes and is shooting 41.3 percent from beyond the arc. … The Irish's two best wins probably came during Thanksgiving week at the Barclays Center, where they defeated Colorado and Northwestern.
About Villanova: Notre Dame is the Wildcats' first non-Big Five opponent since Thanksgiving; they will finish up their City Series schedule at home Tuesday night against Temple. … The Wildcats are shooting an even 50 percent from the floor and 40.6 percent from three-point range, while averaging 10.6 treys per game. … Hart is shooting 55.3 percent from the field. … Bridges is shooting 27 of 33 (81.8 percent) from inside the three-point line. … Villanova has been using a seven-man rotation while guard Phil Booth remains sidelined with tendinitis in his left knee and will miss his seventh straight game Saturday. … The Wildcats were 13-6 against Notre Dame when both were members of the Big East from 1995 through 2013.