Through four regular-season games, Notre Dame has found a fine fit in its backcourt with Tory Jackson and Ben Hansbrough.

Now, the No. 23 Irish (4-0) just have to make sure Hansbrough stays healthy.

Hansbrough averaged 16 points in the first four games, but he was limited to 21 minutes and six points because of an ankle injury Sunday in a 91-72 victory over Liberty in the opening game of the Chicago Invitational in Purcell Pavilion.

Hansbrough, who sat out last season after transferring from Mississippi State, injured his ankle against Long Beach State on Thursday. With Hansbrough limited, coach Mike Brey said the team had to adjust offensively.

“We’ve learned to play a certain way offensively, and it was a little bit thrown off because he’s still sore and we’re trying to get him healthy,” Brey, whose team plays host to Kennesaw State (2-1) at 7:30 tonight, told reporters Sunday.

What was an easy adjustment was Hansbrough’s playing along side Jackson.

The two guards can both bring the ball up court, have strong moves to the basket and have proven to be dangerous from three-point range.

Hansbrough and Jackson have combined to go 16 of 28 on three-pointers, and they have also made the right decisions with the ball, combining for 44 assists.

“(Hansbrough) has done a lot for me, and I’m thankful to have him right now,” Jackson said after the Irish’s 82-62 win over Long Beach. “But we have to continue to work in practice in getting used to each other.”

Jackson’s contributions go beyond producing in games.

The senior co-captain, who is averaging 10 points and six assists, could run practice and was one of the lead players in coordinating pickup games and workouts over the summer, according to Brey.

“If I didn’t show up, he’d be fine,” Brey said. “There is a security and a calm of my team; I can quarterback them; listen to me. He’s a key guy.”

tkrausz@jg.net