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No. 13 Notre Dame With More To Prove Against No. 3 Virginia

By Nicholas D. Blazek

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You would think that the 13th ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish wouldn’t feel they have so much to prove. A 15-1 start – the best start under Mike Brey – wins against then No. 19 Michigan State and at N0. 19 North Carolina. But after being throttled by the No. 3 Virginia Cavaliers last season, that desire is as strong as ever.

The Irish (15-1, 3-0 ACC) will have the opportunity to establish themselves as a legitimate threat to win the ACC with a win at Virginia on Saturday evening. A win against the Cavaliers (14-0, 2-0 ACC) would be one of the biggest for the program. Not just because it would be an “upset”, but because it would help welcome them as true contenders in the 2014-15 season.

Last season in the second game against Virginia in Charlottesville, the Irish held a 41-38 lead. Over the next nine minutes, the Cavs would go on a 30-2 run, finishing with a 70-49 victory. For Notre Dame, it’s about showing they’ve arrived this year, but still a little bit about atoning for last season.

"”They’re one of the last three undefeated teams and they’re one of the teams that kept it a little uncompetitive against us last year,” senior Pat Connaughton said. ”We want to show that we’re a different team than we were last year.”"

Coach Mike Brey dealt with his first losing season in his 14 years at Notre Dame. He built them into a perennial contender in the Big East, and now he hopes to do the same in the ACC.

"”It’s a great matchup. There’s a great buzz about it,” Brey said. ”I’m really thrilled we’re in a position to make this a big game. We’ve come such a long way from last year.”"

The Irish enter the game leading the nation in shooting at 54.8 percent, and are third in scoring at 85.0 points per game. The Cavaliers bring the nations second best shooting defense to Purcell Pavillion, allowing opponents to shoot a mere 33.7 from the field.

Something will have to give in tonight’s ACC battle, and the winner will remain one of only four undefeateds in the conference.