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Watch out! Notre Dame Basketball is on a roll!

By Daniel Morrison

COLLEGE PARK, MD - DECEMBER 04: Head coach Mike Brey of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks on in the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center on December 4, 2019 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD - DECEMBER 04: Head coach Mike Brey of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks on in the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center on December 4, 2019 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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Notre Dame basketball is alive and well in 2020 — and on a four-game win streak.

The Notre Dame basketball team was sinking fast. Having been unable to win tight games, Notre Dame was letting a down season in the ACC get away from them. They were hanging around the bottom of the conference standings, despite a string of one-possession losses.

Those one-possession losses included Louisville and Florida State, who are the class of the ACC this season.

It was time to make a decision. Do you quit on the season, and accept mediocrity? Or do you wipe the blood off your chin and punch back?

Mike Brey has the Irish punching back.

Notre Dame has ripped off four straight wins over Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, Pitt, and Clemson. Their win over Clemson was on the road.

Now, none of these teams are elite, but it’s taken the Irish from the bottom of the ACC standings to the middle of the pack. That’s hugely important for the ACC tournament. They would have an easier path to the championship game. It means they wouldn’t have to see Duke or Louisville in an early round. Instead, they could get another shot at teams like Boston College.

It’s now time for Notre Dame to prove that they’re not just giving a mid-season flash of hope. On Wednesday, February 11th, Notre Dame will be playing at Virginia. The Cavaliers may not be as good as past seasons, but they’re still the defending National Champions. They still have a suffocating defense. They are still well coached.

It’ll be a huge test. If Notre Dame can pass it, they’ll be back on their way to bubble consideration. A little bit of success while you’re on the bubble, in a conference like the ACC, and Notre Dame could still sneak into the tournament.

Notre Dame only has two more ranked opponents on the schedule — Duke and Florida State. We know they can beat Florida State, especially at home. Duke may be tougher, but splitting these two games would be huge.

Next. Could the Irish go dancing?. dark

The Irish were being left for dead, but as their win streak grows, so does their confidence and the chances of Notre Dame basketball making the NCAA tournament.