BIG EAST GAME PREVIEW: Notre Dame @ Rutgers

March 3, 2007



Notre Dame looks to put the finishing touches on a surprising season by earning a Big East Tournament bye for round one. The Irish weren't expected to challenge for the league's elite spots this season after barely getting into the conference tournament last year, but this team proved early on that they were going to play better defense, rebound better and share the basketball better than the previous Notre Dame teams that under-achieved.

Rutgers is definitely playing out the strong. The Scarlet Knights have just three conference victories, two over Cincinnati and one over Seton Hall, not much to brag about there. Rutgers will hopefully have better days ahead, but they are still weak in the frontcourt compared to other Big East teams. They have a lot of work ahead of them.

However, something about Rutgers, especially at the RAC, that gets Notre Dame nervous. This is a different Notre Dame team and this is not the same RAC we have been used to. Although, it should have a little extra oomph on Saturday when they bid farewell to Marquis Webb in his last home game.

NBE Blogger Prediction: Notre Dame 66 Rutgers 57