After a blowout 40 point win over Maryland Eastern-Shore, No.10 Virginia Tech (11-0) looks to open up ACC play with a win. While Notre Dame (10-3) is coming off a seven point win over Coppin State and will look to pull off a upset win in Blacksburg.
Why Virginia Tech Can Win:
This Virginia Tech team plays very good defense and has only allowed 56 points a game this season. That should be a big advantage for Hokies as the Irish only score around 67 points a game and do not have many great individual scorers. Tech also should be able to take advantage of a lackluster Notre Dame defense that allows 67 points a game.
Why Notre Dame Can Win:
Notre Dame is going to have to find a way to slow down Virginia Tech’s offense. The Irish are gonna also have to find to slow down the Hokies offensive weapons in Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Justin Robinson, Kerry Blackshear, Ahmed Hill and the three-point shooting of Ty Outlaw. The Irish are gonna have to find a way to score against a Virginia Tech that boasts a top five defense.
Players to Watch:
For Virginia Tech, Nickeil Alexander-Walker is a big factor to rather this team wins this game or not. Last year Alexander-Walker was really strong in non-conference play but his production dropped off some in ACC play. We will see if Alexander-Walker can keep his strong production going into ACC play as so far this season he had averaged 18 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Notre Dame is gonna have to get more efficient production out of TJ Gibbs if they wanna upset the Hokies. As Gibbs has averaged 14 points, two rebounds, and three assists while shooting only 35% from the field. If the Irish wanna upset Virginia Tech in Blacksburg they have to get a better showing from Gibbs.
Writers Predictions:
Will Cash: Unless the Hokies go ice cold from the field, I don’t see how they lose this game as they go against a Notre Dame team who has lost to Radford and a UCLA team that has lost four straight games. This game should not even be close. Hokies: 75 Irish: 55
Colin Gilley: Notre Dame is coming off a close win vs Coppin State where the Irish only managed to put up 63 points. If the Irish offense stutters again they will not be able to compete with the Hokies. Hokies: 79 Irish 61
