Dartmouth vs Notre Dame Preview – December 11

Notre Dame aims to build on its first conference win of the season as it hosts Dartmouth on Wednesday night at the Purcell Pavilion. The Fighting Irish, sitting at 5-5, broke a five-game losing streak with a much-needed victory against Syracuse in their ACC opener. Meanwhile, Dartmouth (4-4) continues its grueling seven-game road trip, hoping to bounce back after a heartbreaking overtime loss to UIC.
This game provides a crucial opportunity for both teams to refine their play before diving deeper into their respective conference schedules. Notre Dame’s injury struggles and Dartmouth’s reliance on perimeter shooting make for an intriguing matchup.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame secured a gritty 69-64 victory over Syracuse on Saturday, leaning on the scoring prowess of Braeden Shrewsberry, who poured in a season-high 25 points. Without Markus Burton, who remains sidelined with a knee injury, the Irish have relied on contributions from players like Tae Davis, who has stepped up his production in recent games.
Head coach Micah Shrewsberry emphasized the importance of consistency and toughness, as his team continues to adjust to life without its star point guard. The Irish struggled with turnovers against Syracuse, committing 15 while managing just seven assists. Cleaning up their ball-handling will be key to securing a win against Dartmouth.
Dartmouth Big Green
Dartmouth comes into this game following a narrow 69-68 overtime loss to UIC on Sunday. Despite the defeat, the Big Green displayed their usual reliance on three-point shooting, with Cade Haskins leading the way. Haskins has been the team’s top perimeter threat, connecting on 28 triples this season while averaging 13.6 points per game.
Ryan Cornish, Dartmouth’s most versatile player, leads the team in scoring, assists, and steals, showcasing his all-around impact. The Big Green pulled off an impressive upset of Boston College earlier this season, proving their ability to compete with power-conference teams. However, their inconsistency, especially on offense, remains a challenge as they face a tough Notre Dame squad.
Pick and Prediction
Notre Dame’s home-court advantage and depth give them a significant edge in this matchup. Dartmouth’s reliance on the three-point shot could make them dangerous if they get hot, but the Fighting Irish’s defensive intensity and rebounding ability should neutralize the Big Green’s strengths. Expect Notre Dame to dominate inside and control the tempo.
While Dartmouth might keep things close early, Notre Dame should pull away in the second half for a comfortable win.
- Prediction: Notre Dame Fighting Irish 76, Dartmouth Big Green 60