Game Thread | Notre Dame at Georgia Tech
Notre Dame (10-13, 2-10) at Georgia Tech (8-15, 1-12)
Date: Feb. 8th
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Where: McCamish Pavilion | Atlanta, Ga.
TV: Regional Sports Networks (LIST HERE) | Bob Rathbun and Brian Oliver
Line: Notre Dame -1
O/U: 137.5
QUICK FACTS
- Notre Dame leads the all-time series 15-12.
- The Irish won the last meeting 73-72 in OT on January 8th.
- 18 of Mike Brey’s games against Georgia Tech have been decided by single digits.
- Notre Dame is second in the ACC in three-pointers made per game (9.0).
- Cormac Ryan has scored in double figures in four straight games.
PROJECTED STARTERS
Notre Dame
| Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| JJ Starling | 12.3 | 3.0 | 1.3 |
| Marcus Hammond | 8.9 | 2.6 | 1.5 |
| Cormac Ryan | 11.5 | 4.1 | 2.5 |
| Dane Goodwin | 11.8 | 5.3 | 2.2 |
| Nate Laszewski | 14.1 | 7.2 | 1.6 |
Georgia Tech
| Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Kyle Sturdivant | 7.0 | 2.0 | 2.8 |
| Miles Kelly | 13.3 | 3.4 | 1.2 |
| Lance Terry | 8.3 | 2.6 | 0.9 |
| Dallan Coleman | 9.3 | 2.9 | 1.0 |
| Javon Franklin | 7.7 | 5.7 | 1.5 |
Preview
| Category | Notre Dame | Georgia Tech |
| Points | 70.4 | 67.1 |
| Opponent Points | 72.0 | 71.2 |
| FG% | 44.9% | 41.2% |
| Rebounds | 31.0 | 35.5 |
| Assists | 12.3 | 13.2 |
| Blocks | 2.7 | 4.3 |
| Steals | 4.7 | 6.0 |
Notre Dame enters Wednesday’s road trip to Georgia with just two ACC wins, but the Irish will have a chance to sweep the series against the Yellow Jackets. Mike Brey’s team outlasted Georgia Tech 73-72 in overtime last month and it perhaps sent Josh Pastner’s team into a funk as the Yellow Jackets are on a nine-game losing streak.
And yes, the 28th meeting will feature two teams with a combined record of 3-22 in ACC play, but if history holds true, it will be an entertaining game in Atlanta as 18 of Brey’s games against Georgia Tech have been decided by single digits.
“We had some great games with them through the years,” Brey stated. “A repeat opponent we have and we’ve had great ones. The games in their building have been unbelievable. We’ve lost a couple at the buzzer. We’ve won a couple on the last possession.”
Notre Dame at Georgia Tech (Recent History)
2021-22: Notre Dame 72 Georgia Tech 68 OT
2020-21: Georgia Tech 82 Notre Dame 80
2019-20: Notre Dame 78 Georgia Tech 74
2018-19: Georgia Tech 63 Notre Dame 61
2017-18: Georgia Tech 60 Notre Dame 53
2016-17: Georgia Tech 62 Notre Dame 60
2015-16: Georgia Tech 63 Notre Dame 62
2014-15: Notre Dame 62 Georgia Tech 59
2013-14: Georgia Tech 74 Notre Dame 69
It’s far from Duke-North Carolina, but one would be hard-pressed to find a set of more competitive games in one arena between two programs. And Brey expects much of the same the final time he takes Notre Dame into McCamish Pavilion.
“They’ve been thrilling games and I love their atmosphere there,” explained Brey. “The way their arena is set up and it’s a great basketball atmosphere. They had us beat here and we kind of stole it in overtime.”
Wednesday’s game won’t mean too much in terms of postseason play, but neither team wants to finish last in the ACC and the loser will certainly have that opportunity as it’s a three-team race for the bottom spot with Louisville (1-12). Yes, Louisville got its first ACC win last week 68-58 over Georgia Tech.
Notre Dame will need to hit the three-ball and compete on the boards to leave Atlanta with a win. The Irish went 9-of-24 from deep in the first meeting, but lost the rebounding battle 42-33, including letting Georgia Tech dominate the offensive glass 14-7.
It might be ugly, but Brey expects another close one in Atlanta.
“Both teams are searching,” said Brey. “Both teams are trying to figure it out and get more confident.”
It could also be a battle of starting fives as Pastner played four bench players on Saturday against NC State, but four minutes was the most any player played. All five starters were over 36 minutes, which is a somewhat similar story for Brey’s Irish.
The good news for Notre Dame is Brey expects freshman forward Ven-Allen Lubin to return to the rotation after missing the last two games.
“I’m hoping we can get him two days of practice and get him back in our rotation on Wednesday,” Brey said on Monday. “Made some progress over the weekend and that’s encouraging. We want him in there and need him in there. I’m hoping, fingers crossed, the next two days of practice go well.”
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Rebound Snap Pullover Jacket
