The Notre Dame basketball team is the intercollegiate men’s basketball program representing the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana and United States.

Notre Dame have not reached the round of 16 in 12 years and their last two trips ended in upset losses in the round of 64. The Irish avoided further ignominy by toppling pesky Northeastern, 69-65, at Consol Energy Center. Coach Mike Brey said that after winning the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament last week, this team is different.

The Huskies still nearly joined the ranks of Iowa State and Old Dominion and Winthrop, teams that in recent years drew the higher-seeded Irish in the round of 64 and vanquished them. They did not play a perfect game, their 16 turnovers offset their 33-17 rebounding advantage. Notre Dame’s reputation as a postseason patsy caused by these defeats which the Irish expected to begin erasing during this tournament.

Jackson, who had 8 points and 9 assists, and Auguste, whose pick-and-roll proficiency flummoxed Northeastern, who scored 17 of his game-high 25 points after halftime, none more important than those that came on his two free throws, they may have to give their complete performances, if Notre Dame does go on a run.

The Irish, at tournament time, are not that familiar with that place and Auguste said, put Notre Dame “in a place where we don’t have to worry too much.”. They may be acclimatize after another victory or two.

Those shots, Auguste said, put Notre Dame “in a place where we don’t have to worry too much.” The Irish, at tournament time, are not that familiar with that place. Maybe another victory — or two — will acclimatize them.