The 'Len' Zone
ACC Tournament
First-Round Preview
Notre Dame vs. Pitt
The Fighting Irish face the Panthers in a crucial first-round matchup at Charlotte's Spectrum Center. Both teams finished 8-12 in conference play.
Notre Dame aims to capitalize on late-season momentum while Pitt looks to avenge their February loss.
LC
by Len Clark
Previous Matchup
Final Score
Notre Dame defeated Pitt 76-72 in their February meeting in South Bend.
Shooting Efficiency
The Irish shot an impressive 56.3% from the field in their victory.
Key Contributors
Standout performances from Markus Burton and Kebba Njie secured the win for Notre Dame.
Star Power Showdown
Markus Burton (Notre Dame)
Burton leads Notre Dame's offense with 22.2 points per game. He's been scorching hot lately, averaging 31.5 points over his last four games.
Jaland Lowe (Pitt)
Lowe drives Pitt's offense with 16.8 points and 5.5 assists per game. His playmaking ability creates scoring opportunities for teammates.
Battle of the Boards
1
Team Rebounding Edge
Notre Dame has a slight advantage, averaging 35.1 rebounds per game to Pitt's 33.5.
2
Kebba Njie's Impact
Njie must dominate the glass against Pitt's physical frontcourt to secure second-chance opportunities.
3
Panthers' Frontcourt
Corhen and Guillermo Diaz Graham lead Pitt's efforts to control the paint and limit Irish possessions.
Three-Point Battle
36.1%
Irish 3PT%
Notre Dame has been efficient from beyond the arc this season.
35.1%
Pitt Defense
The Panthers have struggled to defend the perimeter this season.
40%
Winning Formula
Teams shooting over 40% from three against Pitt have won 75% of games.
Notre Dame's three-point shooting could be the decisive factor in this tournament matchup.
Keys to Victory
1
Burton's Scoring Surge
The freshman phenom must continue his offensive tear to give Notre Dame the advantage.
2
Defensive Adjustments
Notre Dame needs to tighten up defensively, especially against Lowe and Leggett.
3
Supporting Cast
Players like Mohammed, Allocco, and Njie must contribute consistently beyond Burton's production.
Tournament Momentum
1
Season Finish
Notre Dame enters with confidence after their four-overtime thriller victory against Cal.
2
Game Control
The Irish must dictate pace and control tempo to maximize their offensive strengths.
3
Balanced Attack
Getting contributions beyond Burton will be crucial in the tournament setting.
Prediction: Irish Edge Panthers
1
1
Final Score
Notre Dame 74, Pitt 70
2
2
Deciding Factor
Burton's scoring coupled with improved team defense gives Irish the edge.
3
3
Advancement
Winner faces #6 seed SMU in the second round on Wednesday.
The rematch should be another close battle, but Notre Dame's offensive firepower will ultimately prevail.