Gritty ‘Point’ guard, Matt Farrell, prepares for the Sweet Sixteen

Many in New Jersey were hoping for Monmouth to make it to the big dance.  When the team did not get the call, some thought the Jersey Shore’s dreams of having a local to root for went out the window.  Yet, it was not too long ago that New Jersey’s own, Matt Farrell was making a name for himself on his home turf in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey.  Now Matt Farrell is prepared to help lead his collegiate team, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, to victory in the Sweet Sixteen.

When he attended Point Beach High School he was a four-year member of the varsity team and a three-time captain.  He played on teams that won two New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central New Jersey Group 1 state championships in consecutive seasons (2013 and 2014). Additionally, there were two divisional titles and two sectional crowns.  All in all, Farrell concluded his high school run as the school assists leader with a total of 542 and second-leading scorer …and the list go on:

Also grabbed 307 rebounds and made 331 steals during his scholastic career…finished his four-year prep career with averages of 13.1 points, 5.0 assists, 3.0 steals and 2.8 rebounds… shot 54.1 percent from the field, 41.9 percent from three-point range (71 career three-pointers) and 79.0 percent from the free throw line…garnered first-team all-state honors as a senior after averages 19.5 points, 5.9 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.0 steals while leading his prep team to the state semi-finals en route to a final 29-2 record and school’s first Shore Conference Tournament … [ Notre Dame Men’s Basketball 2015-2016 Media Guide ]

Matt Farrell is now a sophomore at Notre Dame and yesterday he was among those who were on court preparing for the up-coming game against the Wisconsin Badgers.  The game is set to start at 6:27 p.m. tonight at Wells Fargo Center, in Philadelphia, PA.  No. 7 Wisconsin (22-12) vs. No. 6 Notre Dame (23-11) will meet in the 2016 NCAA Tournament: Regional Semifinal.  Included among Notre Dame’s starting five will be Matt Farrell.  So far Matt has two starts this year and they both came in the NCAA Tournament.  During those two starts Matt scored 13 points and accumulated eight assists. Farrell backs up Notre Dame’s dominant guard, Demetrius Jackson, who leads the team in scoring (15.5) and assists (4.7).

Although tonight’s match up promises to be tough, Notre Dame has a good chance at coming away with a win.  Zach August, a senior forward who hails from Marlborough, Massachusetts was named tri-captain for the 2015-2016 campaign.  He has been touted as one of the top players in the country.  He is averaging 15.3 points and 12.1 rebounds in the last 14 games.

According to Vegas, Notre Dame has a slight edge between 1 and 1.5 points.  Last checked the predicted total was somewhere around 131 1/2.  Do not be surprised if Notre Dame’s Matt Farrell shows up and puts his best foot forward to help lead Notre Dame to victory.  Known for his “tremendous work ethic” and his “solid all around skills” there is no doubt that Matt Farrell brings something special when he steps on the court.