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Notre Dame Basketball: What to Expect From Virginia

By Noah Strackbein

Jan 24, 2017; South Bend, IN, USA; Virginia Cavaliers guard Marial Shayok (4) goes up for a shot as Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Bonzie Colson (35) defends in the first half at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2017; South Bend, IN, USA; Virginia Cavaliers guard Marial Shayok (4) goes up for a shot as Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Bonzie Colson (35) defends in the first half at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Notre Dame basketball takes on Virginia in the quarterfinals of the 2017 ACC Tournament.

Must Read: Virginia isn't trouble for Notre Dame

Although Notre Dame and Virginia aren’t the most heated of enemies, these two ACC opponents are some of the closest two teams talent wise in the ACC. As they battle for the first time in the postseason, everything they think they know about one another is entirely wrong.

It is now March, which means you don’t know whether you’re going to win or not whether you’re Kansas or Florida Gulf Coast. As two middle of the pack teams, the Irish and Cavaliers may have the best shot at competing for a title. Playing teams close to your level of competition means no one looks at the matchup as an underdog win and just come into it with the mindset of a regular game.

That being said, there is still a lot to watch, starting with the point guard position. Matt Farrell has been Notre Dame’s breakout player of the year all season. He’s led this team on more than one occasion. He seems to have ice in his veins, never being rattled in any situation. Leaving room to believe he’ll do it again in the ACC Tournament.

London Perrantes will play across from Farrell as the team’s lead floor generals go one-on-one for a chance to play in the semifinals of the conference tournament. With the veterans, Steve Vasturia and V.J. Beachem, on the wings, with Rex Pflueger spread out as well, the backcourt of Notre Dame has all the makings of the deciding factor in this one.

Behind Kyle Guy’s 20 points against Pitt, the Cavaliers found an offense they’ve searched for all season. Notre Dame has the firepower to outscore Virginia no matter who’s hitting for the Cavs. The problem arises on the defensive end, where Virginia is first in the country.

Notre Dame needs to find a hot hand a ride it. With four days rest, the Irish will easily find someone to run their offense through. Most likely, it’ll be Bonzie Colson and V.J Beachem. If they can get into double-digits early, Notre Dame wins the advantage to carry late into the game.

Prediction: Notre Dame wins 75-64.

The Fighting Irish have had one of the hottest hands in college basketball. Averaging 88.3 points per game since fitting Pflueger into the starting lineup. Virginia is going to give them a hard time on the defensive end, but Notre Dame has too much going on to fail bad enough to lose.

As long as Virginia doesn’t come out firing on all cylinders, which is very unlikely, they don’t have the offensive power to compete with Notre Dame. Their defense can stop them, which puts the game in the hands of the Irish shooters. Beachem, Colson, or Farrell start hitting, and it’s over for Virginia.

Next: Notre Dame and Virginia are unfamiliar enemies

After some time to recover and rest, Notre Dame has the advantage. Virginia may have some impressive wins, but they aren’t the same team they were at the beginning of the season. The Irish will pull this one off. It may be close, but they’ll move on to the semifinals of the ACC Tournament.