The 'Len' Zone
Notre Dame vs. Rutgers
The upcoming Notre Dame vs. Rutgers matchup at the Players Era Festival promises intense competition. Both teams bring unique strengths to the court. This analysis breaks down their statistical performance, highlighting key factors that could determine the game's outcome.

by Len Clark

Offensive Firepower
Notre Dame
Averages 82.2 points per game. Shoots 51.9% from the field, ranking 14th nationally. 36.4% accuracy from three-point range.
Rutgers
Scores 79.8 points per game. Shoots 47.4% from the field. 35.6% accuracy on three-pointers.
Edge
Notre Dame holds a slight advantage in scoring and shooting efficiency. Their superior field goal percentage could be decisive.
Free Throw Precision

1

Notre Dame's Accuracy
The Irish excel at the line, shooting an impressive 78.8%. This could be crucial in a close game.

2

Rutgers' Challenge
Rutgers lags behind at 71.8%. They'll need to improve to match Notre Dame's efficiency.

3

Potential Game-Changer
Free throws often decide tight contests. Notre Dame's advantage here could prove significant.
Defensive Strategies

1

Scoring Defense
Notre Dame allows 68.4 points per game. Rutgers slightly better at 68.0 points.

2

Field Goal Percentage Defense
Notre Dame holds opponents to 38.9%. Rutgers allows a 40.6% shooting percentage.

3

Turnovers and Steals
Rutgers forces more turnovers with a +3.0 margin. They average 8.0 steals per game.
Battle of the Boards
Playmaking Prowess
1
Rutgers' Ball Movement
Averages 16.4 assists per game. Shows their ability to create open shots.
2
Notre Dame's Approach
Slightly lower at 15.4 assists per game. Relies more on individual scoring ability.
3
Impact on Game
Rutgers' superior assist numbers could lead to more efficient offense.
Star Power Showdown
Markus Burton (Notre Dame)
Averages 21.4 points per game. Ranks 19th nationally in scoring. All-around game includes assists and rebounds.
Dylan Harper (Rutgers)
Freshman phenom averaging 19.8 points per game. Recent standout performance with 9 assists.
X-Factor Potential
Both players can take over games. Their performance could be the deciding factor.
Len's Prediction
Final Score
Notre Dame 78, Rutgers 72. A close contest throughout, decided in the final minutes.
Key Factors
Notre Dame's superior shooting percentages and rebounding advantage give them the edge.
Potential Upset
Rutgers' disruptive defense and playmaking could keep the game close and lead to an upset.
Player to Watch
Markus Burton's performance could be the difference-maker for Notre Dame.