As the college basketball season heats up, Notre Dame (9-4) prepares to face off against Stanford (11-2) on December 30 at 9:00 PM ET. The matchup will take place at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto, California, and will be broadcast live on ESPN2 with commentators Roxy Bernstein and Sean Farnham calling the action.
Historically, Notre Dame holds a perfect record against Stanford, leading the all-time series 4-0. The last time the two teams met, the Fighting Irish narrowly clinched a 56-54 victory in South Bend last March. However, the Irish seek a win in Palo Alto, a venue where they last emerged victorious back in January 1993.
The Irish have been competitive this season, currently ranking 66th in KenPom and 81st in the NET rankings. Notably, they sit fourth in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) for three-point shooting with an impressive 37.9% success rate. Despite a challenging start to the ACC schedule, with a 5-7 record in conference openers, the team remains focused on extending their overall program wins to 2,000, just 13 victories shy of the landmark achievement.
Among the standout players for Notre Dame is Carson Towt, who averages 10.2 rebounds per game, placing him second in the ACC and 16th nationally. The Fighting Irish’s projected starters for this match include Logan Imes, Braeden Shrewsberry, Jalen Haralson, Garrett Sundra, and Towt, who collectively contribute a mix of scoring and defensive capabilities.
Stanford, on the other hand, boasts a potent offense with an average of 81.8 points per game and a solid defensive record. Their roster features key players like Ebuka Okorie, who scores an average of 22.8 points per game, and Chisom Okpara, contributing significantly with both scoring and rebounding.
This upcoming clash between Notre Dame and Stanford promises to be an exciting and competitive affair, as both teams are eager to secure a victory and build momentum as the season progresses. With the Fighting Irish’s historical advantage and a strong desire to make their mark, fans can anticipate a thrilling matchup in Palo Alto.