The Virginia Cavaliers are looking to rebound quickly after a tough loss to North Carolina, where they squandered a significant 16-point lead. Their next challenge is a matchup against a struggling Notre Dame team that currently holds an 11-9 overall record and a disappointing 2-5 in the ACC.
The season has presented difficulties for Micah Shrewsberry and the Irish, especially with their star point guard Markus Burton sidelined since early December due to injury. Before narrowly defeating Boston College in their last game, Notre Dame faced a challenging stretch with five consecutive losses and only two victories in their last eight outings. This repeated struggle mirrors last year’s challenges when Burton also missed considerable time.
As they sit towards the bottom of the league standings, Notre Dame’s offensive struggles are evident, ranking among the bottom five in the ACC for field goal percentage. While their three-point shooting percentage is comparatively better, this is largely due to a lack of shot attempts. They have not consistently achieved double-digit three-pointers, making their reliance on those shots a risky venture. On the other hand, the Cavaliers are looking to improve their defensive performance after allowing 21 fast break points against Carolina. Interestingly, the Irish’s adjusted tempo is quite slow, hovering around the 300 mark according to KenPom metrics, which presents a stark contrast to the fast-paced play of many top teams.
The game is scheduled for 7 PM at Purcell Pavilion, and ESPN2 will broadcast the matchup. Key players for Notre Dame include forward Jalen Haralson and guard Braeden Shrewsberry.
Jalen Haralson has become a critical scoring threat for Notre Dame in Burton’s absence, averaging 14.7 points per game. At 6-foot-7, he poses a significant challenge for defenders and has performed well against top ACC teams, consistently scoring in the double digits against strong opponents. His shooting has been effective, boasting a 49% field goal percentage, though he is still working to improve his 24% from beyond the arc.
Braeden Shrewsberry has shown variability in his scoring, recently highlighted by a game where he scored 22 points against Boston College after a stretch of poor performance. Averaging 11 points per game, he is another player to watch, as his shooting could significantly impact the game’s outcome.
Considering the short turnaround since their last game, it may play into the Cavaliers’ favor as they aim to regain momentum against a team that, if Virginia plays to their strengths, they should be able to defeat comfortably. Head Coach Ryan Odom has emphasized the need for improved defensive efforts, especially against a Notre Dame squad that averages the third-lowest points per game among ACC teams at 72.9.
With their size and quickness, the Cavaliers are expected to respond well, likely leading to a solid defensive performance. The prediction for the match stands at Virginia 81, Notre Dame 66, reflecting a potential path forward for the Cavaliers as they seek to bounce back from their recent defeat.