Irish open Big East slate against Blue Demons

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

12/31/2008 - Rosemont, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The seventh-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish invade Allstate Arena tonight, as they tussle with the DePaul Blue Demons in the Big East opener for both teams.

The Irish return from their lengthy break and are set to compete for a Big East title after placing second at 14-4 last season. ND heads into league play on a winning note, as it trounced Savannah State, 81-49, in its last outing on December 22nd. It was the third consecutive victory for the Irish, who improved to 9-2 on the year.

As for DePaul, it was also successful in its final non-conference tuneup, capturing a 90-67 victory over Alcorn State on Sunday. The triumph was the fourth in the past five outings for the Demons, as they improved to 8-5 overall and 6-1 on their home floor. The team now turns its focus to the Big East, where finished just 6-12 a season ago.

Tonight's game marks the 99th all-time meeting between ND and DePaul, with the Irish holding a 54-44 edge in the series. ND has also won seven of the past nine meetings with DePaul, including both last season.

The Irish are one of the premier scoring teams around and they are currently averaging a healthy 83.2 ppg behind 46.5 percent shooting from the field and an impressive 42.0 percent from three-point range. Luke Harangody is the focal point of this attack and the preseason All-American is one of the top big men in the nation, averaging a double-double with 22.7 ppg and 12.0 rpg. Kyle McAlarney gives ND another solid scoring option at 17.2 ppg, only he does his work from the perimeter, knocking down 47.6 percent from long distance. Ryan Ayers chips in with 12.9 ppg, and Tory Jackson adds 11.2 ppg and a team-high 5.8 apg to the rotation. In the team's last outing, Harangody recorded a double-double with 23 points and 13 rebounds to lead ND in a romp of Savannah State. Jackson and Ayers each chipped in with 10 points for the Irish, who made 23-of-28 free throws and dominated the boards 44-21.

The Blue Demons connected on 42.1 percent of their attempts from the floor and 19-of-27 at the foul line, as they cruised past Alcorn State on Sunday. The team also won the battle on the boards, 56-32, and that included a 25-10 advantage on the offensive glass. Dar Tucker led the charge with 25 points and three steals, while Mac Koshwal had a double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds. On the year, Tucker leads DePaul in scoring with 19.8 ppg and he is also collecting 5.9 rpg. Koshwal averages a double-double with 13.8 ppg and a team-best 11.3 rpg for the Demons, while Will Walker chips in with 10.7 ppg. As a team, DePaul is turning in 69.0 ppg despite shooting a sub par 27.2 percent from beyond the arc.

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