Coach Buzz Williams and his nationally ranked Marquette basketball team probably didn't know too much about Pat Connaughton before Saturday's Big East game against Notre Dame.
Much to their chagrin, they know a lot more about him now.
In what has to easily be considered the best all-around performance of his still young college career, the former St. John's Prep star and Fighting Irish freshman had game-high totals of 23 points and 11 rebounds as Notre Dame (15-8) pounded No. 15 Marquette, 76-59, in South Bend.
"I think that was a career high in almost every way for him — minutes, points, assists, rebounds, steals and blocks," Williams said of Connaughton in postgame comments that appeared on Notre Dame's website. "He played really good. That's a heck of a stat line right there."
Overall, Connaughton shot 9 for 12, including 5 for 8 on three-pointers. He also seemingly came out of nowhere to block two shots and chipped in three assists and a steal.
Connaughton set the tone with eight first-half points as Notre Dame built a 30-26 lead. He exploded for 15 points in the closing half as the Fighting Irish pulled away.
"I think our opponents in the league are still surprised at how athletic he is," said Notre Dame coach Mike Brey. "He was really flying all over the place."
Connaughton said, "I'm still a freshman on the stat sheet, but I think I'm feeling a lot better about it."
Meanwhile, the North Shore's other high-profile Division 1 freshman talent, Michael Carter-Williams of Hamilton, poured in 13 points in just 17 minutes for No. 2 Syracuse in its 95-70 rout of St. John's at Madison Square Garden.
Carter-Williams shot 5 for 6, including three trifectas and added a pair of thunderous dunks.
