NFL Tickets
TV Schedule: Saturday, Feb. 6, 7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN
Stadium: Purcell Pavilion
With a victory on Saturday, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish can do one important thing: Keep pace in the ACC title race.
The only problem is the simple fact that they will be going up against the North Carolina Tar Heels, a team that has only lost once in conference play and three times overall. In comparison, the Fighting Irish have seven losses total and four losses in ACC play.
Nonetheless, Notre Dame has home-court advantage going for it, and North Carolina is not invincible (it went down in its last contest, after all).
That said, before the Tar Heels went down in said last contest, they were riding a 12-game winning streak.
Although every win is crucial in conference play, this is a mega one for the Fighting Irish. With a loss, they will basically be eliminated from the ACC title race. Not to mention, a victory would go a long way when it comes to boosting their seed for the Big Dance.
The numbers game: The Tar Heels are averaging 84.9 points per game and giving up 70.3 PPG along the way. They have five guys who are averaging double figures in the scoring department. Notre Dame is putting up 78.5 points per game and allowing 69.8 PPG in the process, and it also has five players who are putting up double figures in the scoring department.
North Carolina entered the season as one of the best teams and is still one of the best teams for a reason: It is experienced and talented. Those two things, which are rather key in any sport, will lead to a victory for Roy Williams‘ team.
PREDICTION: Tar Heels 78, Fighting Irish 74
Share 
