The Notre Dame Fighting Irish begin their ACC Tournament journey on Tuesday afternoon, taking on Pitt in a first-round showdown at the Spectrum Center. With both teams finishing 8-12 in conference play, the Irish will look to build on their late-season momentum and advance deeper into March.
Last Meeting
In their lone regular-season matchup, Notre Dame secured a 76-72 victory over Pitt on Feb. 22 in South Bend. The Irish shot an impressive 56.3% from the field, with standout performances from Markus Burton and Kebba Njie helping to secure the win. This rematch in Charlotte presents a new challenge as both teams aim to extend their seasons.
Key Matchups
Markus Burton vs. Jaland Lowe – Burton, Notre Dame’s offensive leader at 22.2 points per game, has been the driving force for the Irish, averaging 31.5 points over his last four contests. Slowing him down will be Pitt’s top defensive priority. On the other end, Lowe (16.8 ppg, 5.5 apg) is a crafty playmaker who can create scoring opportunities for the Panthers.
Rebounding Battle: Kebba Njie vs. Pitt’s Frontcourt – Notre Dame enters with a rebounding edge (35.1 rpg to Pitt’s 33.5), but Njie will need to be dominant on the boards against Pitt’s physical frontcourt led by Corhen and Guillermo Diaz Graham.
Three-Point Shooting – Notre Dame has been solid from beyond the arc (36.1%), while Pitt has struggled to defend the perimeter, allowing opponents to shoot 35.1%. If the Irish can find their rhythm from deep, it could be a decisive factor.
Three Keys to the Game
- Markus Burton’s Scoring Surge – Burton has been nearly unstoppable in recent weeks. If he continues his offensive tear, Notre Dame will have a strong chance to move on.
- Defensive Adjustments – The Irish allowed Pitt to score 72 points in their last meeting. Tightening up defensively, especially against Lowe and Leggett, will be crucial.
- Supporting Cast Contributions – Burton will need help. Whether it’s Braeden Shrewsberry, Sir Mohammed, or Kebba Njie, Notre Dame’s depth will be tested in a tournament setting.
Prediction
Notre Dame enters the tournament with confidence after a four-overtime thriller against Cal. If the Irish can dictate the pace and get contributions beyond Burton, they have the edge. Notre Dame 74, Pitt 70.
Check out Len Clark's full analysis at the Len Zone!