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Notre Dame Basketball: The Irish Breeze Past Virginia, Prepare for Florida State

By Noah Strackbein

Mar 9, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Matt Farrell (5) drives past Virginia Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome (11) during the second half during the ACC Conference Tournament at Barclays Center. Notre Dame won 71-58. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Matt Farrell (5) drives past Virginia Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome (11) during the second half during the ACC Conference Tournament at Barclays Center. Notre Dame won 71-58. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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Notre Dame basketball had no trouble winning their quarterfinal matchup against Virginia. Now, they look ahead to Florida State with a chance to play in the 2017 ACC Championship.

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After defeating Virginia with ease, Notre Dame will carry the momentum they built into their third meeting with FSU. After splitting the season series with the Seminole, the Irish are looking to head to their second ACC title game in the last three years.

Not many people expected Notre Dame to handle the Cavaliers so well. Behind Bonzie Colson’s double-double, the Irish controlled this game in every aspect. Virginia couldn’t buy a bucket in this quarterfinals matchup. Their leading scorer finishing with 12 points, and shooting just 38% as a team; the Cavaliers were as inefficient on the offensive end as a team comes.

Their star shooters, London Perrantes and Kyle Guy, combined for an astonishing three points while shooting 1-17 from the floor. They did hold Notre Dame 17 points below their recent average, only putting up 58 points isn’t going to beat a team who’s strong suit is offense.

Now, Notre Dame looks ahead to their semifinal match with Florida State. After the Seminole’s win over Virginia Tech, they head into this game with as much confidence as the Irish. Both teams seemed to handle their quarterfinal opponent with ease, but won’t be expecting the same against each other. With one game before the ACC Championship, these two will be playing as hard as they have all year.

As Jonathan Isaac and Colson square off to dominate the paint, Notre Dame and FSU become of the most intense games of the weekend. For an ACC Tournament semifinals round, Notre Dame vs Florida State and North Carolina vs Duke is about as good as it gets. Whether it’s Isaac and Colson, Dwayne Bacon and Matt Farrell, or another matchup that determines the outcome of this one, all eyes will be on the court as they compete for a chance to win the toughest conference in college basketball.

After a dominating performance against Virginia, Florida State is where Notre Dame focused their attention. One more game until the ACC Championship and a chance to send their seniors off with two career ACC titles. With two games left to prove themselves to the selection committee, the Irish are locked in.

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Only Notre Dame expected to breeze through Virginia that easily and only Notre Dame will expect to do it again. But as they focus their attention to Florida State, they build even more determination.