Notre Dame Basketball: Irish Blowout UIC Flames In Season Opener, 84-67

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish start the college basketball season off with a blowout win over the Illinois-Chicago Flames, 84-67 in the opening game of the Gotham Classic.

Much of the speculation about this Irish team was their youth. Although the incoming recruiting class for the Fighting Irish was one of the best they’ve ever had, you never really know what you have until the team hits the court for a game that counts.

Notre Dame got ahead in this one early and never looked back. The Irish went into halftime with a 23 point lead, and every freshman on the roster had scored already. UIC was challenged, and couldn’t get much to fall as they only shot 29% from the field in the first half.

The Irish kept sending the “kids” out there, and they kept delivering. We got our first real look at Juwan Durham too with limited minutes, but Durham delivered with 6 points and 6 blocks.

The Irish had 5 players end the game with double digit points with three of them being freshmen. T.J. Gibbs struggled from the floor as he was 2-12, and 1-8 behind the 3 point line.

There were a coupkle of scary moments as D.J. Harvey hit the ground hard but seemed to be okay, but Robby Carmody left the game and headed to the locker room with an apparant shoulder injury that came in a non-contact situation. Carmody started the game for the Irish, so we will have to keep an eye on any updates.

Next up for the Irish is Chicago State on Thursday.