WHAT WE LEARNED IN NOVEMBER
Notre Dame avoided any catastrophic losses, but also did not have the opportunity for a signature victory. The best team it beat was St. Louis in the third-place game of the Chicago Invitational Challenge, and it lost its only game against an opponent from a BCS league, dropping a 14-point decision to Northwestern.

DECEMBER AT A GLANCE
The big nonconference game is a Dec. 19 meeting with UCLA. Like all of the Fighting Irish's seven games during the month, it takes place at the Joyce Center in South Bend. The next time Notre Dame will leave its home is Jan. 2, for the Big East road opener against Connecticut.

PLAYER ROTATION
Usual Starters -- F Luke Harangody, F Tyrone Nash, G Jonathan Peoples, G Ben Hansbrough, G Tory Jackson. Key Subs -- F Tim Abromaitis, F Carleton Scott.

ROSTER REPORT

--Luke Harangody became the seventh player in Notre Dame history with 2,000 points in his career when he poured in 27 against Idaho State. He is the only player in school history with that many points and 1,000 rebounds.

--Newcomer Ben Hansbrough was slowed early in the season by a sprained right ankle, but appeared to be rounding into form as December began.

--Tim Abromaitis was one of the early surprises to start the season. The junior who played rarely as a freshman and missed the entire 2007-08 season began this year with seven consecutive games in double figures.

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