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Notre Dame Hoops: Irish Aim to Bounce Back vs. Clemson

By Chase Eyrich

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - FEBRUARY 16: Prentiss Hubb #3 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish shoots between Kihei Clark #0 and Braxton Key #2 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: Prentiss Hubb #3 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish shoots between Kihei Clark #0 and Braxton Key #2 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 losses, Notre Dame and Clemson both are in need of a bounce-back victory.

Sitting at 3-13 in the ACC, Notre Dame is looking for any positive that they can find. The Irish are in the midst of their second five-game losing streak in league play. While there’s been plenty of close games, there’s been no cigars.

Throughout the season, a common trend has been that the Irish have the talent to run with most teams in the ACC. The problem has been a mix between closing games and taking them over when the opportunity is there.

Wednesday night will be just as difficult as the rest of Notre Dame’s league opponents, despite Clemson’s 7-9 ACC record.

The Tigers have what the Irish lack – experience.

Clemson’s three leading scorers’ Marcquise Reed, Elijah Thomas and Shelton Mitchell, are all seniors.

While that Tiger trio makes up the vast amount of Clemson’s offensive production, it has been their defense that has been the footnote to this season.

The Tigers hold their opponents to 64.3 ppg, which ranks 26th in the nation.

Notre Dame, on the other hand, has struggled to find its offense numerous times this season. Recently there has been more of a balance — and Prentiss Hubb has taken big steps — but missing open shots has been one of the biggest storylines of the season for Notre Dame.

As mentioned earlier, the Irish struggle to take control of games. Most of the time they seem to be just one or two possessions away from making things interesting. If Notre Dame can keep this one close in the end, things could finally fall in their favor.

If anyone has struggled more than Notre Dame in close games, it’s Clemson. The Tigers have lost five games this season by one possession. With three of those losses coming to ACC opponents, it’s safe to say that if they went the other way, Clemson wouldn’t be a bubble team right now.

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

Life has been hard for both teams this season. A win would keep Clemson’s NCAA Tournament hopes alive and a win for Notre Dame would be one step closer to steering things in the right direction for next season.

Clemson and Notre Dame tip off tonight at 9 p.m. ET on ESPNU.