Notre Dame MBB upsets #10 Kentucky

Notre Dame freshman guard Blake Wesley lifts Notre Dame over #10 ranked Kentucky in a packed Purcell Pavilion with a game winning shot as the Irish defeat the Wildcats 66-62.

 

The pageantry of the night before the Notre Dame students stormed the court after the Irish win included LaPhonso Ellis being inducted into the Notre Dame basketball Ring of Honor along with Marcus Freeman rallying the crowd. 

 

Blake Wesley and Blane Goodwin led the way for Notre Dame in the upset win over #10 ranked Kentucky with 14 points each. 

 

Goodwin and Paul Atkinson Jr. also led the Fighting Irish with 6 rebounds. 

 

Cormac Ryan led Notre Dame with 4 assists on the night.

 

“It was a special moment with the band,” Blake Wesley, ND guard and Riley HS alumnus said. “I worked on it yesterday and the day before in pull up jumpers and it was just there.” 

 

“You know what’s special is when they do the starting lineups, and they say from South Bend,” Mike Brey, ND basketball head coach said. “When I was recruiting him I would tease him and say maybe we can get it changed to just “the Bend”. It gave me chills when he was introduced and with a big stage with bright lights he’s not afraid and to bounce back after the turnover. And he’s trying to make a play because he’s the one guy that can and go I’m just going to win this one. That’s special stuff.”

 

The Irish are now 4-4.

 

Next up for Notre Dame is the Crossroads Classic in Indianapolis where they will first face the Indiana Hoosiers.