NFL Tickets
TV Schedule: Saturday, Dec. 19, 2:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Arena: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Line: Notre Dame (-1)
Both the Indiana Hoosiers and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have struggled to meet expectations this season, failing to defeat any opponent expected to make the 2016 NCAA tournament at this point. Once thought to be a match-up of potential dark horse conference winners, their game on Saturday afternoon in the 2015 Crossroads Classic could be the difference between sneaking into the 2016 NCAA tournament and a trip to the NIT.
The Hoosiers have won three straight games in blowouts after being destroyed by the Duke Blue Devils. Led by Yogi Ferrell and James Blackmon Jr., Indiana boasts one of the top offenses in the country, and it shows against weaker opposition. The potential is clearly there for the Hoosiers to be one of the best teams in the country; they just have to get their defense up to par.
The Fighting Irish, on the other hand, might be a little bit too balanced of a team. Five of their nine total games have come down to three possessions or less, and the four that did not were blowout wins over much weaker opponents. Notre Dame has the talent to compete in the ACC, but unless they start firing on all cylinders, this could be a disappointing season for the Fighting Irish.
That being said, I expect both of these teams to make the 2016 NCAA tournament in some way or another. However, as both teams are terrible at rebounding, give this one to Notre Dame and Zach Auguste, who gives the Fighting Irish the advantage in Indianapolis.
Prediction: Notre Dame 85, Indiana 82
Taylor Sturm is a Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TSturmRS, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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