Notre Dame Men’s Basketball: Fan Confidence Rising After Trio of Wins

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish men’s basketball team has won three games against lesser ACC competition, which has coincided with an increased confidence in the direction of the team.

Sixty-four percent of self-identified Irish basketball fans surveyed by SB Nation’s FanPulse said they trust that Mike Brey has this group going the right way, up 21 percent from last week’s survey and 13 percent from two weeks ago.

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Notre Dame (14-8, 5-6 ACC) travels to the Palmetto State Sunday for a 6 p.m. matchup against the Clemson Tigers (11-11, 5-7 ACC) before a trip to the Charlottesville for a Tuesday night game against the Virginia Cavaliers (15-6, 7-4 ACC).

Survey respondents were also asked a national question. Which of these six teams — San Diego State Aztecs, Baylor Bears, Rutgers Scarlet Knights, Dayton Flyers, Florida State Seminoles and Penn State Nittany Lions — have been the most pleasant surprise?

The 23-0 Aztecs took top honors, while the 20-1 Bears followed close behind.

Here are the confidences of fans who support opponents’ programs:

• Maryland Terrapins: 90 percent
• Boston College Eagles: 0 percent (fewer than 10 respondents)
• UCLA Bruins: 84 percent
• Indiana Hoosiers: 0 percent (fewer than 10 respondents)
• Syracuse Orange: 70 percent
• NC State Wolfpack: 57 percent (fewer than 10 respondents)
• Louisville Cardinals: 100 percent
• Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: 23 percent
• Florida State: 98 percent
• Wake Forest Demon Deacons: 0 percent (fewer than 10 respondents)
• Pittsburgh Panthers: 89 percent
• Clemson Tigers: 0 percent (fewer than 10 respondents)
• Virginia Cavaliers: 100 percent
• Duke Blue Devils: 100 percent
• North Carolina Tar Heels: 60 percent
• Miami-Florida Hurricanes: 57 percent (fewer than 10 respondents)
• Virginia Tech Hokies: 83 percent