The Notre Dame men's basketball team has faced a challenging start to the season, with their offense ranking near the bottom of the nation in scoring and shooting percentages. However, despite these struggles, the Fighting Irish have managed to remain competitive against quality opponents thanks to their strong defensive efforts.

Under new head coach Micah Shrewsberry, Notre Dame has focused on making it difficult for their opponents to score. This defensive mindset has resulted in a 4-4 record through the first eight games, while the offense continues to be a work in progress.

Shrewsberry acknowledged the need for simplicity in the team's offensive approach. By streamlining their play and focusing on a few key strategies, the players have been able to avoid overthinking and improve their execution on the court.

The Irish's defensive efforts have been impressive, with opponents converting only 41.3 percent of their shots. Notre Dame's three-point shooting defense has also been solid, holding teams to just 32.3 percent from beyond the arc. These defensive stats have played a significant role in keeping the team competitive.

Despite their offensive struggles, the Irish have shown signs of improvement. The team's ball movement and decision-making have improved, leading to better scoring opportunities. Freshman Markus Burton has been a standout performer, averaging 15.1 points per game, while guard Tae Davis has emerged as a promising talent, contributing 10.4 points per game.

Notre Dame's offensive struggles have been evident in games where they have been held to low point totals. However, the team remains optimistic and believes that they are still learning how to play together, particularly with a roster that includes many younger players and new additions.

The upcoming matchup against Marquette poses another challenge for the Irish. Marquette is known for their high-intensity defense, which aims to create chaos for their opponents. Shrewsberry recognizes the importance of maintaining poise and not allowing Notre Dame to beat themselves in a game against such an aggressive defensive team.

The game against Marquette will be a test of Notre Dame's offensive execution and ability to navigate through various defensive schemes. Despite allowing fewer points per game than their opponent, Notre Dame understands the need to focus on their own performance and not get overwhelmed by Marquette's offensive firepower.

As the season progresses, Notre Dame will continue to work on their offensive efficiency while relying on their strong defensive foundation to remain competitive. With a solid defensive strategy in place, the Fighting Irish hope to overcome their offensive struggles and find success on both ends of the court.

The matchup between Notre Dame and Marquette is set to tip off at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday, with national coverage on FOX.