The Players Era Festival in Las Vegas was always going to be a tough challenge for Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish were slated to face Rutgers and Houston, with a third game against an opponent to be determined after Wednesday's matchups.

The best-case scenario was that Rutgers basketball's stunning loss at Kennesaw State would serve as a wake-up call for a talented, youth-driven squad. Dylan Harper answered the alarm in resounding fashion Tuesday night.

In a game that featured 12 ties and 17 lead changes, Irish power forward Paul Atkinson’s rebound basket with 1.2 seconds left gave Notre Dame an 89-87 victory and sent the Irish on to face Alabama in the first round in San Diego. Atkinson scored a game-high 26 points with six rebounds.

Notre Dame men's basketball and Rutgers renewed their Big East rivalry in the first round of the new Players Era Festival tournament in Las Vegas

Dylan Harper dropped a career-high 36 points and Rutgers fended off Matt Allocco and Notre Dame 85-84 in overtime to conclude a wild first day of the Players Era Festival on Tuesday night in Las Vegas.

Get the latest Rutgers vs. Notre Dame predictions ahead of Tuesday's clash. Free college basketball picks and predictions for November 26.

Rutgers faces Notre Dame on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024 (11/26/2024) at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Paradise, Nevada.

Rutgers faces Notre Dame. Our college basketball odds series has our Rutgers Notre Dame prediction, odds and pick.

Notre Dame men's basketball lost Markus Burton early, but that was no reason to give up or give in against Rutgers. The Irish almost figured a way out

The Notre Dame men's basketball team will remember its first game of the Players Era Festival for a lot of reasons. Unfortunately, it won't be for a victory it lost an 85-84 overtime thriller to Rutgers in Las Vegas.