Notre Dame vs. Boston College: Three things we learned

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish got back in the win column on Saturday with a convincing 84-67 win over the Boston College Eagles. The victory sets up three crucial games upcoming before facing top-ranked Virginia in the regular season finale. For now, here is what we learned in Saturday’s rout.

Matt Farrell is angry, and you won’t like Matt Farrell when he’s angry

Seriously, Farrell’s three-point shooting spree may have been the most ridiculous hot streak I have ever seen in a college basketball game. After a frustrating night against North Carolina on Monday, Farrell came out firing, and couldn’t miss if he tried.

The senior drilled all eight of his three-point attempts in the first half, and added two more in the second to tie the Notre Dame record for three-pointers in a game (10). Farrell’s 26 first half points were just two shy of his career-high, which he wound up shattering with his 37-point outburst. You really had to see it to believe it.

The Irish’s postseason hopes are very much alive

After winning for the third time in four games, the Irish have a legitimate chance to take their next three favorable matchups before traveling to number one Virginia, where they hope to have Bonzie Colson back. The senior missed his 13th game on Saturday, but is making significant strides to return before the ACC Tournament.

D.J. Harvey is just about set to return as well, and if the Irish can get on a roll heading to Brooklyn for the conference tournament while welcoming back their strongest asset in Colson, they may be able to salvage what was in danger of becoming a lost season.

Improved defense remains strong

One of the few bright spots of Notre Dame’s injury plague was their need to improve on the defensive end while their offensive stars mended. The Irish have shown flashes of brilliance on the defensive end, and showed some again on Saturday.

Boston College star Jerome Robinson was on fire from the floor, shooting over 70-percent, but the Irish forced him to commit six turnovers on the day. Meanwhile, junior Jordan Chatman entered the game shooting 42-percent from downtown, but missed on all seven of his three-point attempts thanks to an active perimeter defense from the Irish. Three-point defense has been a consistent problem for the Irish over the years, but if they can get out and contest some more shots, it could be the difference in a big game come March.