:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62954159/usa_today_12071603.0.jpg)
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish men’s basketball team dropped another game tonight, getting stomped by the #2 Duke Blue Devils 83 to 61 on an evening where scheduled halftime show performer Red Panda was unable to make it into town due to weather forcing the cancellation of her flight.
It was no Red Panda, but the replacement show was apparently pretty riveting:
... and the crowd goes WILD!
— The Fighting Irish (@FightingIrish) January 29, 2019
After ✌️ fans made 94-foot putts, @NDTheLeprechaun sunk an #SCTop10 3rd in a row to win every fan @USGA U.S. Senior Open practice round tickets when Notre Dame hosts the event this summer.#GoIrish pic.twitter.com/NCoZe80V87
The Irish fell to 11-10 on the year with the loss (1-7 ACC), sitting last in the ACC standings and unable to compete against the big boys of the conference with all the injuries and undeveloped youth they have to deal with.
Duke, on the other hand, has a handful of NBA-ready freshmen leading the way, and their immense talent was on display tonight. Zion Williamson, who will likely be the #1 pick in this June’s NBA Draft, led the way for Duke with 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 blocks while shooting 10-of-12 from the field.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13721059/usa_today_12071633.jpg)
RJ Barrett, who might just be the #2 pick in June, followed Williamson with his own 17 points and 9 rebounds, and Cam Reddish, another likely lottery pick, chipped in 13 points and 3 assists.
For the Irish, John Mooney once again led the way, picking up another double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, despite a rough shooting night (4-of-15 from the field).
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13721060/usa_today_12071591.jpg)
Freshman Prentiss Hubb had himself a strong showing against freshman phenom Tre Jones, scoring 13 points and dishing out 4 assists. T.J. Gibbs added 12 points but continues to struggle shooting the ball (4-of-15 from the field), and Nik Djogo added 7 points and 6 rebounds.
The Blue Devils shot a fantastic 54% from the field and a season-high 53% from long range (they are the 307th best 3-point shooting team in the country on the season), while the Irish again put up very poor shooting numbers, making 35% of their field goals and 33% from long range.
The Irish play next at the Boston College Eagles this Saturday at 2 PM ET.