NCAA Tournament: Notre Dame Cruises Past Akron, Advances To Third Round

The No. 2 seed Notre Dame Fighting Irish didn’t have the easiest time in the world with No. 15 seed Akron in their first 2011 NCAA Tournament game, but they eventually got it done. The Fighting Irish used their typical stingy defense to get a 69-56 win.

The Zips were within four points at halftime, but Notre Dame was always in control. Ben Hansbrough scored 15 points to lead the way, though he was just 4-11 from the field. Quincy Diggs had 11 points to lead Akron, who won the Mid-American Conference title, but couldn’t get over the hump in this one.

Star Watch: Ben Hansbrough is the unquestioned leader of this team and it helps matters because he may be the most talented. Hansbrough’s shot credibility from beyond the arc helps create driving lanes and helpside defense is pulled away by deep shooting threats like forward Tim Abromaitis. If your answer to Abromaitis’ range is to put a guard on the senior big, he’ll simply take your defensive munchkin down on the low boxes for a game of “mouse in the house”. It’s usually a lose-lose for Irish opponents.

Prediction: If you’ve watched this Irish club you’d know this is an experienced team on a mission. They won’t blow their one shining moment dreams on a team from the MAC.