Notre Dame had a home game that they could grab an impressive win.
Down two to the University of Miami, the Fighting Irish got a layup from Markus Burton followed by a three-pointer by J.R. Konieczny.
With 9:24 left in the game, Notre Dame found themselves with a three point lead.
The lead only last for a minute and thirty-four seconds before a Wooga Poplar’s three-pointer gave the Canes a two-point lead.
The Fighting Irish (7-12, 2-6) never saw the lead again in the 73-61 loss.
Notre Dame’s defense struggled guarding Miami’s (13-6, 4-4) Norchad Omier.
Omier finished the night with 33 points and 10 rebounds.
Head coach Micah Shrewsberry knows that the dog-days of January can be tough on a young team.
Shrewsberry sent a message to freshman Carey Booth and sophomore Kebba Njie by benching both players for the entire second half.
Message sent.
The next message Shrewsberry needs to send is to Markus Burton. The Fighting Irish enjoys the good plays but needs less bad plays. Burton was a 50-50 players against the Canes.
Notre Dame can live with the 5-15 shooting performance, 3-9 from three. What this team can’t live with are the eight turnovers.
Five of the eight turnovers came in the second half.
Burton has had the “good first half, what the hell second half” multiple times this season.
From a Notre Dame perspective, there’s a sense a letting your young, primary ballhandler learn without micromanagement.
There’s also the reality that NBA scouts have been in the arena watching Burton play with begs to ask the question if he’ll be back next season?
On paper, the answer should be “yes”. An small guard who can’t run an offense efficiently in college isn’t in demand on the professional level unless there are other areas that he’s above average in. But, in today’s landscape, you can’t take anything for granted.
So for Burton and Notre Dame, efficiency will help both parties whether in South Bend or the NBA.
