Helped along by NBA MVP and long range bomber Steph Curry, basketball may be swiftly evolving into a game of 3-point shots more than anything else– and Notre Dame’s two-point victory over Princeton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament shows why. Notre Dame hit 36% from three, going 4-of-11. Not a terrific percentage, but a lot better than Princeton’s 26%. Especially since Princeton jacked up more 3-point attempts than 2-point attempts. 31 out of the Tigers 57 shot attempts were from beyond the arc.
The Ivy Leaguers’ cold spell from deep was enough for Notre Dame to win a game where they shot just 40% overall. The Tigers defense was tough, but the Irish defense was tougher as Princeton shot less than 39% from the floor — a figure handicapped by their brutal inefficiency from 3-point land. Still they were one 3 away from victory. Had the Tigers gone 9-for-31, they win. Welcome to the future of basketball.
