SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Notre Dame men’s basketball team is gearing up for a crucial game against Boston College, with hopes of ending a five-game losing streak. The Fighting Irish (10-9, 1-5) will host the Eagles (9-10, 2-4) at Purcell Pavilion on Saturday, January 24, with the tip-off scheduled for 6 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on ACC Network.
Last season, Notre Dame had strong performances against Boston College, winning both matchups, including a decisive 78-60 victory at home and an impressive double overtime comeback win on the road, 97-94. This marked the first time since 2019 that the Irish managed to sweep the season series against the Eagles.
As the teams prepare to clash, new stars will need to emerge for Notre Dame, as the top four scorers from last year’s encounters – Markus Burton, Tae Davis, Matt Allocco, and Kebba Njie – are either gone or unavailable. This quartet contributed significantly to the team’s overall scoring against BC, combining for 71 points per game out of an impressive average of 87.5.
Historically, Notre Dame leads the series against Boston College, holding a 29-17 advantage, including a strong 17-7 record since joining the ACC.
Boston College is powered by sophomore guard Fred Payne, who has been outstanding this season, averaging 18.7 points per game with a shooting percentage of 42.4%, including an impressive 43.2% from three-point range. He is supported by junior forward Boden Kapke (11.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg) and junior guard Donald Hand Jr. (10.2 ppg).
On the Notre Dame side, freshman standout Jalen Haralson is making a name for himself, averaging 14.6 points per game, ranking fifth among ACC freshmen. He has been consistent, registering double-digit points in 16 of his 18 games this season, with a similar scoring average of 14.5 in ACC competition.
Sophomore guard Sir Mohammed is also gaining momentum, boasting three consecutive games in double figures, marking a personal best. He has scored 41 points over this span on 54.8% shooting, contributing significantly in the paint and mid-range.
Temperatures are dipping in South Bend, but the Fighting Irish will aim to heat things up inside Purcell Pavilion, especially with players like Ryder Frost, who recently recorded 10 points in a game, showcasing his three-point shooting skills.
Freshman Brady Koehler earned his first career start recently and impressed with a career-high 17 points at Virginia Tech, shooting effectively from both the field and the free-throw line. Notably, his three-point shooting percentage stands out at 41.7%, ranking second on the team.
Lastly, Braeden Shrewsberry is shining in three-point shooting, leading the ACC at 42.5% and ranking 24th nationally. He recently celebrated a milestone surpassing 200 career made threes, solidifying his position as a key player for the Irish.
As both teams prepare for this significant matchup, the anticipation builds for what promises to be an exciting clash between these rivals in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.