FORT WAYNE, Ind. – As preseason openers go, Notre Dame would be hard-pressed to find a better lid-lifter for Year 2 of the Micah Shrewsberry era atop Fighting Irish basketball.
Playing an exhibition at Purdue Fort Wayne to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne, as well as Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Irish proved too big on the boards, too effective from long range and simply the better team in an opening 91-54 win Wednesday night.
“I want people to remember Notre Dame is in state,” said Shrewsberry, whose team arrived in the area Tuesday afternoon and joined a joint meet-and-greet with the Fort Wayne team to sign autographs with area youth. “So, coming to Fort Wayne and playing, going to Indianapolis and playing, plus if we can help other programs in this state who don’t get a chance to get a Notre Dame in their building very often…