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Notre Dame Basketball: Irish and Noles Look to Bounce Back in Primetime

By Chase Eyrich

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - FEBRUARY 16: Juwan Durham #11 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish shoots over Mamadi Diakite #25 of the Virginia Cavaliers in the first half during a game at John Paul Jones Arena on February 16, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - FEBRUARY 16: Juwan Durham #11 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish shoots over Mamadi Diakite #25 of the Virginia Cavaliers in the first half during a game at John Paul Jones Arena on February 16, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /
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Following a loss to Virginia Tech, Notre Dame dropped under .500 for the first time this season. Now, the Irish will have a quick turnaround with Florida State on Monday.

Both teams come into this game with barely 48 hours of rest following the completion of their Saturday matchups. While Notre Dame is looking to get on the right track after losing four of their last five games, the road has been different for the Seminoles.

It was a rough start to the ACC season for Florida State, who eventually dropped out of the rankings following their 1-4 start.

Ever since then, the Seminoles were able to take advantage of an easier stretch of their schedule. Winners of eight in a row, FSU had turned things around. That was until they faced their first top-ten team in over a month and a half.

North Carolina was able to dismantle Florida State in a 77-59 victory. Now the pressure is on the Seminoles to earn a double bye in the ACC tournament with four games left in the season.

FSU has the personnel you look for when seeking a team to have an advantage following a quick turnaround. The Seminoles are deep.

Their leading scorer, Mfiondu Kabengele, only averages 13.2 points. That number becomes more impressive considering he plays 20-minutes a game and comes off the bench.

Ten Seminoles have played in 24 or more games this season and have a balanced offensive attack that averages 76.5 ppg.

While they will have to face the stout defense that Mike Brey brings with his program, the Irish will have their hands full on the other end.

Florida State has a strong interior presence between Kabengele and Christ Koumadje, who both average over a block per game.

Nothing will come easy in the paint, putting into question what type of impact John Mooney will be able to have.

Notre Dame will need to do what they have struggled to all season: hit open shots. Temple Gibbs has been able to put together some strong offensive performances. The Irish’ best chance will be for him to hit a couple of early perimeter shots and pull out the defense.

Notre Dame’s shooting percentage and what their guards will be able to do will dictate how the Irish can get their luck turned around.

Next. Notre Dame Hoops: The Irish Are Right Where They Should Be. dark

The Irish and Noles will face off in primetime with a 7 p.m. ET tip on ESPN.