Preview: Notre Dame (Md at Towson
Notre Dame Fights to Build Non-Conference Resume Against Towson
The Fighting Irish are set to face off against Towson at TU Arena in a matchup that promises to be a crucial test of their non-conference resume building skills. As Notre Dame looks to bounce back from two tough losses to Radford and UMBC, they'll need to bring their A-game against a Towson team looking to make some noise in the Coastal Athletic Association.
Towson, led by Tyler Tejada's 17.8 points per game, has been one of the most consistent teams in the conference, boasting a 3-2 record in its last five games. The Tigers have shown flashes of brilliance on both ends of the floor, particularly in their defensive efforts, which rank among the best in the league.
For Notre Dame, this matchup presents an opportunity to finally find some rhythm and consistency after two lackluster performances against lower-ranked opponents. Coach Mike Brey's squad will need to tighten up its defense, which has been vulnerable to scoring in recent games, while also finding ways to exploit Towson's relatively weak perimeter defense.
The key to success for Notre Dame lies in their ability to stretch the floor and create space on offense. With the emergence of star guard Jerian Grant, who has been flashing some impressive shooting form of late, the Irish may have found a new sparkplug to lead them out of this slump. However, Towson's stingy defense will undoubtedly put the Irish's shooting prowess to the test.
The real x-factor in this matchup is three-point shooting efficiency. With both teams struggling from beyond the arc, the Irish will need to find ways to create space and get open looks to succeed against Towson's suffocating defense. Can Notre Dame's potent offense, led by Grant and star forward Bonzie Colson, find a way to knock down shots from outside?
As the Irish head into this matchup, they'll be facing off against a team that has been quietly building momentum in recent weeks. Will they rise to the challenge, or will Towson prove to be the perfect foil for Notre Dame's struggling offense?