Mike Brey provides update on Nate Laszewski injury

Less than five minutes into Notre Dame’s matchup with NC State, Nate Laszewski left with a leg injury and didn’t return. It was a big loss for the Fighting Irish — and Mike Brey provided a promising update after the victory.

Laszewski, who averages 8.8 points per game on 48.9% shooting, has started every game this season for Notre Dame. He left the game after appearing to run into an NC State player early on and headed to the locker room the rest of the game.

Based on what Brey said in his postgame press conference, it’s likely he’ll return Wednesday when Notre Dame takes on Louisville at Purcell Pavilion.

Mike Brey to reporters postgame on Nate Laszewski’s status: “It’s a bruise, nothing structural. Hopefully, he should be back Wednesday.”

— Patrick Engel (@PatrickEngel_) February 5, 2022

“It’s a bruise, nothing structural,” Brey said, via Blue and Gold’s Patrick Engel. “Hopefully, he should be back Wednesday.”

The Fighting Irish are in the midst of a great bounce-back season. After going 11-15 last year, Notre Dame is 15-7 overall and 8-3 in ACC action. Dane Goodwin and Blake Wesley lead the scoring for the Fighting Irish, averaging 14.6 and 14.1 points per game, respectively. Paul Atkinson Jr. is right behind them with 12.2 points per contest, followed by Laszewski’s 8.8.

Notre Dame now gears up to take on Louisville on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

Notre Dame among first four out in ESPN’s latest Bracketology update

This college basketball season has been incredibly unpredictable. With many upsets, cancelations, postponements and more, it has been tough to predict what the NCAA Tournament field could look like in March. But that hasn’t stopped ESPN, which just released its updated Bracketology for 2022’s March Madness.

On the bubble

Last four byes: Loyola Chicago, San Francisco, Seton Hall, BYU

Last four in: Wyoming, Creighton, San Diego St., Oregon

First four out: Florida, Mississippi State, Notre Dame, West Virginia

Next four out: SMU, UAB, Florida State, Chattanooga

Midwest Region

1 Auburn vs. 16 Southern/New Orleans

8 Saint Mary’s vs. 9 Oklahoma

5 Xavier vs. 12 North Texas

4 Illinois vs. 13 Drake

6 LSU vs. 11 Davidson

3 Kansas vs. 14. Jacksonville State

7 Indiana vs. 10 San Francisco

2 UCLA vs 15 CSU Fullerton

East Region

1 Purdue vs. 16 Norfolk State/UNC Wilmington

8 TCU vs. 9 Wake Forest

5 Alabama vs. 12 Toledo

4 Providence vs. 13 Furman

6 Texas vs. 11 Seton Hall

3 Houston vs. 14 Wagner

7 USC vs. 10 Loyola Chicago

2 Duke vs. 15 Princeton

West Region

1 Gonzaga vs. 16 Colgate

8 Boise State vs. 9 Miami

5 Villanova vs. 12 Iona

4 Wisconsin vs. 13 Vermont

6 Tennessee vs. 11 Creighton/Wyoming

3 Texas Tech vs. 14 Oakland

7 Iowa vs. 10 Colorado State

2 Arizona vs. 15 Seattle

South Region

1 Baylor vs. 16 Appalachian State

8 Arkansas vs. 9 Murray State

5 Ohio State vs. 12 Oregon/San Diego State

4 Marquette vs. 13 South Dakota State

6 UConn vs. 11 BYU

3 Michigan vs. 14 Weber State

7 Iowa State vs. 10 North Carolina

2 Kentucky vs. 15 Longwood