Notre Dame basketball aims to go 8-0 at home against Purdue Fort Wayne, but one Mastodons player has opposing coaches worried

Notre Dame basketball looks to extend a four-game winning streak against Purdue Fort Wayne today in South Bend. The Fighting Irish sit 9-3 and undefeated at home, looking to protect Purcell Pavilion before the holidays.

Can Notre Dame Extend Home Dominance Against Outmanned Mastodons?

The Fighting Irish enter this final non-conference matchup riding momentum and perfection at home. Notre Dame’s 7-0 record at Purcell shows the team’s ability to execute in familiar territory. The Irish have been scoring nearly 10 more points per game at home, shooting a hot 50.4% from the field and 43.8% from three-point range.

Purdue Fort Wayne comes in 7-6 and on a three-game winning streak after edging Detroit Mercy 81-77. The Mastodons won’t be an easy out defensively, but their offensive firepower will be tested against an Irish squad that has been clicking all season.

Red-Hot Shooting Propels Notre Dame Toward Potential Blowout

The Fighting Irish have sharpshooters everywhere on the court. Braeden Shrewsberry is shooting 50% from three-point range this season, ranking 2nd in the ACC with 39 made threes. His career-high 26-point performance last Saturday shows he can carry offensive loads when needed.

Sophomore Sir Mohammed erupted for a career-high 21 points against Evansville, proving he’s stepping up without Markus Burton, who had ankle surgery on December 10. Cole Certa has been lights-out off the bench, making Multiple games with 5+ three-pointers this season. The combination of talent makes Notre Dame a heavy favorite.

Aspect	Notre Dame	Purdue Fort Wayne
Record	9-3 (7-0 at home)	7-6 (on 3-game win streak)
Top Scorer	Jalen Haralson 14.1 ppg	Corey Hadnot II 20.2 ppg
All-Time Series	7-0 vs Mastodons	0-7 vs Fighting Irish
Three-Ball Shooting	50.0% from deep (2nd ACC)	Defense needed

Can Purdue Fort Wayne Contain Shrewsberry and Company?

The real question isn’t whether Notre Dame will win, but by how much. Corey Hadnot II leads Purdue Fort Wayne with 20.2 points per game and ranks among the nation’s top 25 in steals with 2.4 per game. DeAndre Craig Jr. (15.5 ppg) and Mikale Stevenson (14.3 ppg) provide additional scoring punch.

The Mastodons showed offensive discipline in their recent win, turning the ball over only twice in 68 possessions. That ball security translates well on the road, but containing the Irish shooters could prove impossible. Notre Dame’s defense clips opponents to limited second-chance opportunities, ranking 9th nationally in preventing offensive rebounds.

Key Storylines: Burton’s Absence Magnifies Role Players’ Importance

Without Markus Burton, who was averaging a team-best 18.5 points before ankle surgery, the Irish need their supporting cast to deliver. Jalen Haralson has recorded double-digit scoring in 10 consecutive games and showed clutch ability with his game-tying fadeaway against TCU.

Carson Towt continues his dominant rebounding campaign, ranking 18th nationally with 10.2 rebounds per game and leading the ACC with 122 total boards. The transfer from Northern Arizona tied his career-high with 19 rebounds as a Notre Dame debut. The Fighting Irish look for their 8-0 home record for the first time since the 2022-23 season.

“People’s roles don’t really shift. The time they play might shift, but you still need to be a star in what you do. That’s what we’re looking for for our group.”

— Micah Shrewsberry, Head Coach

Will the Mastodons’ Three-Game Win Streak Continue Against the Irish?

Purdue Fort Wayne arrives in South Bend searching for an upset, but history and current form suggest an Irish victory is likely. Notre Dame hasn’t lost at home this season and faces a Mastodons team that hasn’t beaten them in program history. The Irish’s superior talent depth, efficient three-point shooting, and home-court advantage create a formidable hurdle.

With conference play looming after the holidays, Coach Shrewsberry will use this game as a final tune-up before jumping into tough ACC competition. The Irish want to head into the break undefeated at home, and stopping Purdue Fort Wayne seems like a certainty.

Sources

• CBS Sports – Notre Dame’s four-game win streak and home dominance
• Notre Dame Fighting Irish Official Athletics – Complete team statistics and game preview
• ESPN – Braeden Shrewsberry’s recent performance and career highs