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Predicting winners in Notre Dame basketball's games this week

The Notre Dame basketball team returns to action after a rather long layoff. Will the break give them a boost or see them come out sluggish?

By Oliver Vandervoort

Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Markus Burton (3)
Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Markus Burton (3) / Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
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The Notre Dame basketball team is playing for the first time in nine days on Wednesday and it's a safe bet that head coach Micah Shrewsberry is hoping that his team used the time off to take a breath, get a bit of rest, and iron some issues that have been plaguing them all season.

Perhaps it's good that the first game the Fighting Irish will play after that long layoff is a team that has been struggling a bit since the two teams faced off the first time. They will then get a chance for a little revenge against a team that is tied with Notre Dame in the ACC standings.

Notre Dame basketball vs the Miami Hurricanes

Considering that Miami beat the Irish 62-49 the first time the two squads met, it would seem as though Wednesday night's game would be pegged as a blowout. However, since that game on December, the two teams have looked quite a bit different.

The Irish have been competitive in every ACC game they've played since. That included a game where it looked like they might even knock off Duke.

Meanwhile, the Hurricanes have lost 4-of-5, including to lowly Louisville. Their one win in that stretch was a 4-point victory over Virginia Tech. If Notre Dame basketball was ever going to pull off another big upset this season, this would be it. Even KenPom is only showing this as a 4-point win for Miami.

Unfortunately, the one thing that Notre Dame basketball has lacked all year has been anything resembling consistent offense. I don't think they have enough to beat an ACC power that is trying to get back into the NCAA Tournament talk.

Miami wins: 63-57

Notre Dame gets big win against Boston College

While the Irish aren't going to be able to knock off Miami, I think they can turn around and handle a Boston College team that simply isn't all that good.

Notre Dame basketball has been better at home. And they play pretty good defense. Just like they won't enough offense for the Canes, I don't think BC will have enough to overcome Markus Burton and company. KenPom has this as a 2-point loss for the Irish. I think it's the opposite.

Notre Dame basketball wins: 58-56

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