SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The lengthy three-game road swing is over. Notre Dame men’s hoops returns to Purcell Pavilion on Saturday and look to bust a few streaks in the process. The Fighting Irish (7-16, 2-10) will host the Virginia Tech Hokies (13-9, 5-6) at 6 p.m. ET on Feb. 10, airing live on The CW. Tickets are still available for purchase online via the link in the table above.
TO END MULTIPLE STREAKS
Notre Dame is looking to end its current seven-game skid. To do so, the Irish will have to take down Virginia Tech, who enters 13-9 on the season and 5-6 in ACC play. Tech enters Saturday’s tilt with Notre Dame on a six-game winning streak in the series. It’s the longest active winning streak for the Hokies against an ACC foe. The all-time series sits at 10-9 in favor of VT.
Virginia Tech enters with the league’s best field goal percentage in ACC play, converting 48.3 percent from the field. That will be tested against Notre Dame’s stout defense, which still ranks 2nd in the league. The Hokies best statistical category – their free-throw percentage – which ranks 6th in the country at 79.1 percent.
The Hokies are led by Sean Pedulla, who is averaging the fifth most points in ACC play with 17.6 ppg. In addition, Hunter Cattoor ranks 13th in the nation in three-point percentage, draining 43.3 percent from deep.
An interesting side plot to follow for Saturday’s matchup – two former Northwestern teammates will face off in Notre Dame’s Julian Roper II and Virginia Tech’s Robbie Beran.
1ST YEAR STAMP ON THE PROGRAM – DEFENSE
The year one Coach Shrewsberry stamp on the program has been the defensive intensity from this young Irish squad. Twelve games and eight different ACC opponents – all held under their season averages in every single contest, with Miami and Duke being held to season lows at that point in time.
With that said, Notre Dame’s scoring defense of 65.7 ranks 2nd in the ACC and 38th in the country. According to KenPom, Notre Dame’s defensive efficiency ranks 47th nationally.
In ACC play only, Notre Dame ranks 2nd in scoring defense (64.6) and 2nd in field goal percentage defense (.404).
HITTING THE MARK
Point guard Markus Burton has put his name amongst the top freshmen in the country with his stellar play thus far. For those who aren’t acquainted with the local standout from Mishawaka, here are some quick hitters:
- His 16.2 ppg leads all ACC freshmen, with the next highest being Pitt’s Carlton Carrington…