South Bend Showdown: Notre Dame Faces Tough Night Against Duke
In a challenging night at Purcell Pavilion, Notre Dame faced a formidable opponent in No. 1 Duke, falling 100-56. The Fighting Irish, led by coach Micah Shrewsberry, had a night to forget, both on and off the court.
Shrewsberry, known for his energetic sideline presence, found himself navigating a different path-literally and figuratively. After the game, he left not through the usual route back to the locker room but took a detour, possibly heading towards Rolfs Hall.
The reason? An injury that left him on crutches with his left leg in a walking boot.
"The season of hell continues," Shrewsberry remarked, opting to keep details under wraps.
The Irish were already short-handed, missing key players Markus Burton and Jalen Haralson due to ankle injuries. Their absence was felt as Notre Dame struggled to keep pace with the Blue Devils. With a 54-22 deficit at halftime, the game was all but out of reach.
Shrewsberry's injury occurred during the first half, adding to the night's woes. Despite an animated start, he was soon seated, visibly in discomfort. At halftime, he called upon freshman center Tommy Ahneman, sidelined this season after knee surgery, to assist him off the court.
Notre Dame spokesperson Josh Bates later confirmed it was an Achilles injury for Shrewsberry. Despite the setback, he returned for the second half, albeit in a reduced capacity, with Assistant Coach Mike Farrelly stepping up to direct the team from the sidelines.
As the game concluded, Shrewsberry was helped back to the locker room, a scene underscored by the alma mater playing in the background. The Irish will look to regroup and hope for a healthier roster as they prepare to face North Carolina State. Whether Shrewsberry will be on the sidelines remains uncertain, but the team undoubtedly faces a pivotal moment in their season.