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Markus Burton injury update: Huge news emerges on Notre Dame star

Matt Connollyby: Matt Connolly01/04/25MattConnollyOn3
markus burton
Notre Dame guard Markus Burton. (Michael Clubb, South Bend Tribune, USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images)

Notre Dame received excellent news ahead of Saturday’s matchup against North Carolina. Star guard Markus Burton is expected to return for the Fighting Irish against the Tar Heels, according to CBS announcer John Sadak.

Burton did not start for the Irish, but he is expected to play.

“Notre Dame has some big help. We expect that Markus Burton will play for the first time since late November,” Sadak said pregame.

Markus Burton is expected to return to the court for the first time since being injured against Rutgers on Nov. 26. He was off to a great start to the year before going down.

“Yea, he was terrific in the five games he played before he got hurt – 20 points a game, 5 assists and 5 rebounds,” CBS analyst Clark Kellogg said. “A dynamic shot-creator and playmaker who makes everybody else’s job for the Fighting Irish easy.

“Looking forward to seeing that young man play, one of the outstanding guards in the country. Been sidelined for the last several weeks.”

Markus Burton was one of the best freshmen in the country in 2023-24, averaging 17.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.9 steals per game. He was named the ACC Rookie of the Year and earned third-team All-ACC honors.

Burton was off to a strong start this season as he averaged 21.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game through five games, before playing only three minutes against Rutgers before leaving the game.

Notre Dame was off to a 4-1 start to the season before losing Burton. The Fighting Irish lost in overtime after Burton went down against Rutgers, which was a part of a five-game losing streak.

Burton missed time due to a right knee injury, and Notre Dame head coach Micah Shrewsberry said on Dec. 22 that he was unsure when he would be back.

“I think every week that goes by, every calendar that goes by, he’s getting better, but there’s still no exact timeline,” Shrewsberry said. “Like I said, we’re gonna err on the side of caution with him, but he’s doing good stuff.”

The good news is that he is now back on the court and contributing for Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish entered the matchup with a 7-6 (1-1) record. North Carolina is 8-6 (1-1) on the year.