5 Bold Predictions For No. 3 Notre Dame vs. No. 14 Northeastern

By Jerry Landry

5 Bold Predictions For No. 3 Notre Dame vs. No. 14 Northeastern

Notre Dame basketball Mike Brey NCAA Tournament
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Make no mistake, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are a very strong No. 3 seed. The Irish have won an ACC conference tournament championship, leaving the Duke Blue Devils and the North Carolina Tar Heels in the rubble. But don’t overlook the Northeastern Huskies, either; this dog has a lot of fight and is riding upset euphoria after winning the CAA tournament as a No. 3 seed in that field.

5. Notre Dame Will Make Just About Everything

Notre Dame Fighting Irish North Carolina Tar Heels Zach Auguste
Evan Pike-USA TODAY Sports

5. Notre Dame Will Make Just About Everything

Notre Dame Fighting Irish North Carolina Tar Heels Zach Auguste
Evan Pike-USA TODAY Sports

Notre Dame is the second-best shooting team in the country, and they’ve accomplished most of this feat in a top-three conference. The Irish shoot 51 percent from the field and 39 percent from beyond the arc, and they could burn the nets off before cutting them down.

4. Jerian Grant Puts Up 15 Points In First Half

Jerian Grant Notre Dame Fighting Irish NCAA Tournament
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

4. Jerian Grant Puts Up 15 Points In First Half

Jerian Grant Notre Dame Fighting Irish NCAA Tournament
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Unlike most teams in the tourney, Notre Dame has a lot of senior leadership. The most influential of these leaders is Jerian Grant. Look for No. 22 to put this No. 3 seed well on the way to the Round of 32.

3. Northeastern Will Also Shoot Lights Out

Northeastern Huskies NCAA Tournament shooting percentage
Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

3. Northeastern Will Also Shoot Lights Out

Northeastern Huskies NCAA Tournament shooting percentage
Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

The Huskies can also shoot with precision. At 49 percent from the field on the year, Notre Dame will need to get on Northeastern shooters and be proactive on screens; otherwise it’ll all come down to who scores last.

2. Northeastern Won’t Get An Offensive Rebound

Northeastern Huskies Rebounding NCAA Tournament March Madness
Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

2. Northeastern Won’t Get An Offensive Rebound

Northeastern Huskies Rebounding NCAA Tournament March Madness
Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

While the Huskies are adequate marksmen, Northeastern is inadequate on the boards. The Huskies ranked 231st in the nation in rebounding against a weak schedule and will likely get owned by the Irish down low.

1. Notre Dame Rolls, Committee Rues No. 3 Seeding

Jerian Grant Notre Dame basketball Mike Brey
Evan Pike-USA TODAY Sports

1. Notre Dame Rolls, Committee Rues No. 3 Seeding

Jerian Grant Notre Dame basketball Mike Brey
Evan Pike-USA TODAY Sports

Notre Dame makes an early case for improper seeding by routing Northeastern. It’s a shame that the Huskies will be made an example, but it’s equally atrocious that Notre Dame wasn’t considered a No. 2.

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