They probably stopped playing d because they realized how bad DePaul was. As far as ND, I'm a bit nervous on how we plan to deal with the doppelgänger harangody. we need to have great focus and patience to succeed saturday.
Completely agree on being nervous. Notre Dame is a problem. However, it's not just Cooley.
At 6'5, 200 their worst three point shooter is Grant and he is 17/48 for 35% on the season, or about the same as Boatright.
At 6'5 210, Connaughton is 23/64 for 36%
At 6'7, 190 Biedscheid is 22/53 for 42%
At 6'2, 182, Atkins is 19/42 for 45%
At 6'8 220, Martin is 31/61 for 51%
They play in control, with Atkins really controlling the tempo and Cooley cleaning the glass. Just a very dangerous team. Sherman is the only other player that gets significant minutes that doesn't shoot the ball from three, but he is is 6'10, 250.
Probably start the game with:
Boat on Atkins
Napier on Grant
Calhoun on Connaughton
Daniels on Martin
Olander on Cooley
If UConn helps Olander they will bomb from three and likely hit them, Connaughton and Martin shoot most of their shots from deep, so Calhoun and Daniels will have to stay on their man. Grant and Atkins do attack a bit more, but also hit from deep. If UConn helps off of anyone on the three point line, Grant is the best bet to leave open (and it's not exactly a good idea).
Wolf on Sherman
Evans/Giffey on Biedscheid
Any team with that many shooters and a decent post-player would be tough and Cooley is more than decent. Good thing is that the Irish aren't deep, so UConn can get them in foul trouble. UConn should also have a speed advantage. Atkins is tough though, because he does a great job of controlling tempo and doesn't turn it over a ton.