Slap the Sign
Fansided

Notre Dame Basketball: Georgia Tech is a challenge, but a beatable one

By Noah Strackbein

Jan 28, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets guard Josh Heath (11) drives in the first first half of their game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets guard Josh Heath (11) drives in the first first half of their game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Notre Dame basketball couldn’t finish the job against Georgia Tech the first time, but with a second chance, the Irish will get their redemption.

The last time Notre Dame played Georgia Tech, the Irish were beginning a four-game losing streak. Now, they’re in the midst of a four-game win streak and climbing the ACC standings.

Listen: Who's in and who's out of the NCAA Tournament

With a chance at redemption, Notre Dame is coming into this game with a lot to gain and even more to lose. Two games out of first place in the conference, the Irish need their remaining two games to try and jump the rankings. A win over Georgia Tech and Notre Dame becomes a huge threat to the rest of the ACC.

What Georgia Tech did last time these teams met was expose the Irish’s weak spot. They put the game in the hands of V.J. Beachem, Bonzie Colson, and Matt Farrell. Outside of those three, the rest of the team scored a combined nine points.

They didn’t do this through forcing bad shots but keeping them to a minimum. No one on Notre Dame had open looks or were able to do anything on the offensive end. It seemed as though the three stars were the only ones competing for shots by driving and creating their own looks.

While they were shutting down Notre Dame’s, Tadric Jackson was having the game of his career. 25 points on 11-19 shooting and 3-6 from deep was nearly impossible to stop. Through both halves, Jackson was unstoppable, right up to his defensive rebound leading to the Yellow Jackets’ game-winning layup.

This time it’ll be different. Notre Dame has found their niche, and it’s small ball. With Martinas Geben moving to the bench and Rex Pflueger getting the starting job, this team has gone to new heights. It’s proven with their four-game winning streak including their second top 25 win of the season over Florida State.

Georgia Tech is a huge challenge for the Irish. Heck, they should’ve beaten them last time, but it didn’t seem to happen. Notre Dame has played to their opponents level all season and more than once it has come back to bite them. The Yellow Jackets is the perfect example of a game Notre Dame should have won, but let themselves play too far to Georgia Tech’s level and wound up losing.

Next: Notre Dame's Final Games Yield Weight

But with four guards, more confidence, and heading towards the time of the year when Notre Dame plays its best, the Irish are significant favorites. Georgia Tech is coming off a tough loss to NC State, and have been streaky all season. On the downward slope of an end of the year run, the Yellow Jackets don’t pose nearly as big of a threat as they did the first time.

Georgia Tech will challenge Notre Dame. This time, though, it’s a challenge they’ll beat.