Given their dropping data and so-so energy rankings, Virginia Tech and Notre Dame are extra involved about qualifying for the 18-team ACC match than the 68-team NCAA Match.
The ultimate three groups within the ACC standings don’t qualify for the annual gathering for the league’s automated NCAA berth.
As visiting Virginia Tech (10-13, 5-7 ACC) and Notre Dame (10-12, 4-7) put together for Saturday’s matinee in South Bend, Ind., a minimum of one head coach feels higher about his group than their document would possibly recommend.
Virginia Tech’s Mike Younger, who just lately handed the 400-win mark, hoped to construct on final week’s wins at Florida State and Virginia with a house victory over SMU. The Hokies got here up quick 81-75 on Wednesday, however Younger had nothing however reward for his guys.
“They’re enjoying actually exhausting and so they’re making an attempt to do every thing we give them to place ourselves into place to win each evening,” Younger mentioned. “I do know this: I’ve acquired a superb group. I’ve acquired a group that is getting higher and higher right here. … I am happy with our bunch. I actually am.”
It most likely helped to see fifth-year huge man Mylyjael Poteat ship 15 factors and 10 rebounds in opposition to SMU to document his first double-double since March 19, 2022 . He additionally had a career-high-tying 5 assists.
Poteat stepped up on an evening when main scorer and rebounder Tobi Lawal (12.8 factors per recreation, 6.7 rebounds) had an off evening. He completed with 9 factors, whereas going 0 of 5 from 3-point vary.
Notre Dame coach Micah Shrewsberry noticed his group take up a pair of single-digit losses at Miami and Florida State since final Saturday. The Preventing Irish have performed simply three of their previous 10 video games on their very own courtroom, however get to play six of their remaining 9 regular-season video games at residence.
Notre Dame hopes to see the return of level guard Matt Allocco (wrist), who sat out Tuesday’s loss at Florida State. Allocco has averaged 9.4 factors and three.0 assists, whereas taking pictures 47.3 % from 3-point vary and his manufacturing was missed in a 67-60 loss to Florida State.
“They needed to play on the street after which journey again in an in depth, hard-fought recreation the place guys are enjoying a bunch of minutes,” Shrewsberry mentioned. “We have been at Miami and guys acquired banged up. It is only a quick turnaround to get again and prepare.
With out Allocco, Shrewsberry gave freshman Sir Mohammed his first begin. He performed a career-high 25 minutes however missed all seven of his pictures and completed with one level, 4 rebounds and three assists.
The Irish’s Markus Burton has averaged 22.0 factors since getting back from a knee damage in early January, whereas Tae Davis is scoring 15.5 factors on the season, and Braeden Shrewsberry provides 14.3.
–Subject Stage Media