Game #114. RTC Live is back in South Bend for another matchup between two teams jumbled up in the pack of the conference.
Notre Dame will enter Saturday’s home matchup with Marquette with revenge on their mind. Marquette soundly defeated the Irish 79-57 on January 10th. During that showdown, Marquette shot a sizzling 70.6% from the three point line, so shutting down the Golden Eagles’ perimeter game should be of utmost importance for Mike Brey’s squad. This Notre Dame team will be different than the Notre Dame team that lost that January 10th matchup, due to the fact that senior forward Carleton Scott has returned to the Irish lineup; Scott missed five games after suffering a hamstring injury in Notre Dame’s January 1st loss at Syracuse. Irish guards Eric Atkins and Ben Hansbrough will be the keys to stopping Marquette’s potent three point attack. Marquette guard Dwight Buycks and forward Jae Crowder will be key if Marquette wants their perimeter shooting to be a major factor. This game is important for both teams’ Big East position, as Notre Dame is 4-3 in conference and Marquette is 3-2 in conference. A win would be of great importance for both squads, as the conference season heats up.