GAME NOTES: The 20th-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish will attempt to bounce back from a disappointing loss as they take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights this afternoon in Big East Conference action. Notre Dame carried a five-game win streak and a wealth of confidence into Wednesday's road clash with No. 17 Connecticut, and despite a solid effort in that tilt, the result was an 84-78 setback. The Fighting Irish are just 2-3 in true road games this season, but they are still very much in contention for the Big East title with their 8-3 conference mark. As for Rutgers, it has lost its last five games to fall to 10-16 overall and a woeful 2-11 in league play. The most recent defeat occurred on Thursday by an 81-63 final at West Virginia. Notre Dame holds a narrow 13-11 advantage in the all-time series with Rutgers, and the Irish have won three of the last four meetings.

Notre Dame's Luke Harangody may be the frontrunner for Big East Player of the Year, as he is scoring 20.8 ppg while pulling down 10.4 ppg this season. His numbers against league foes are particularly impressive, climbing to 24.3 points and 12.1 caroms per contest. The big man is shooting nearly 80 percent from the foul line in conference action, key to his success. Kyle McAlarney is netting 15.0 ppg through 23 outings, and Rob Kurz checks in with 12.3 ppg. Notre Dame is generating 80.7 ppg while limiting the opposition to 68.5 ppg. Harangody was sensational in defeat against UConn on Wednesday, as he poured in 32 points and ripped down 16 boards. Tory Jackson contributed 13 points and nine rebounds, while McAlarney posted 12 points. Unfortunately, the strong efforts of those players fell just short.

Overall this season, Rutgers is scoring a mere 62.9 ppg while surrendering 68.5 ppg to the opposition. In league play, however, the club is generating only 59.7 ppg while giving up 71.5 ppg. JR Inman averages 12.9 ppg to pace the Scarlet Knights in scoring, and he is pulling down 7.4 rpg as well. Corey Chandler checks in with 12.5 ppg, and Anthony Farmer rounds out a trio of double-digit scorers with 10.3 ppg. Inman, Chandler, Mike Coburn and Earl Pettis all scored 10 points in the loss to West Virginia on Thursday. Rutgers was outscored 23-10 from the foul line, key to the setback. Also, the Scarlet Knights committed 17 turnovers and forced just four.

Notre Dame is simply a better team than Rutgers and will win on the road. Expect the Fighting Irish to pull away in the second half.