Notre Dame-USC Upstate Game Preview

Game One: Notre Dame vs. USC Upstate
Date: Sunday, Nov. 16
Time: 7:30 p.m. (EST)

Notre Dame will tip off their 2008-2009 season on Sunday when they host USC Upstate. The Spartans are entering only their second full season of Division I competition and will have their hands full when they face the ninth ranked Fighting Irish.

The Irish have looked solid with two exhibition wins over Briar Cliff (103-64) and Stonehill College (79-47). Notre Dame will be looking for a good start because after Sunday, the Irish will start a five-game stretch in 11 days that includes a trip to Hawaii for the Maui Invitational.

USC Upstate will have already played one game on the season as they travel to Athens, GA to face the Georgia Bulldogs on Friday night. The Spartans shouldn't put up too much of a fight against the Irish, but do have one of the tallest players, if not the tallest player, Notre Dame will face all season in Nick Schneiders.

Schneiders is 7'3", 250 pounds, and was the leading shot blocker on the Spartans last season with 25. USC Upstate's best player is forward Bobby Davis. He was their leading scorer and rebounder in 2007-2008.

Look for the Irish to get out of the gates fast behind the inside-outside combo of Luke Harangody and Kyle McAlarney. This contest should be over by halftime as Mike Brey will look to empty his bench in the second half.

USC Upstate

Head Coach: Eddie Payne (career 360-310); seventh year at USC Upstate (100-77)

Last Year: 7-23 overall, 5-11 (Atlantic Sun)

Strengths: The roster is deeper than it's ever been with three returning starters, four other returning contributors and a freshman class that's five deep.

Weaknesses: While the roster is deep, it's also inexperienced. Top returning scorer Bobby Davis (9.8 ppg) and Mezie Uzochukwu (7.5 ppg) are the two main returning contributors, and everyone else will be playing a lot more minutes against tough competition.

Projected Starters

USC Upstate

C Nick Schneiders
F Bobby Davis
F Mezie Uzochukwu
G Gabor Boros
G Josh Chavis

Notre Dame

F Luke Zellar
F Ryan Ayers
F Luke Harangody
G Tory Jackson
G Kyle McAlarney