Duke basketball vs. Notre Dame: Scouting report, score prediction

David Thompson, The Fayetteville Observer
·3 min read

Duke basketball suffered an agonizing defeat on Saturday, as a controversial no-call against No. 8 Virginia at the end of regulation robbed the Blue Devils of a marquee road upset.

With the game tied at 58-58 and 1.2 seconds to play, Duke freshman Kyle Filipowski drove to the basket after catching an inbounds pass and was met by two Virginia defenders near the rim. A foul was initially called on Reece Beekman before officials overturned the call, stating contact happened after the buzzer, and sending the game into overtime.

In a statement released late Saturday night, the Atlantic Coast Conference admitted there was "an incorrect adjudication of the playing rules." Citing the NCAA Rule Book, the ACC said that "the play should have resulted in two free throws for Duke."

The ACC added that it addressed this situation with Duke, Virginia and the officiating crew, and that the conference considers this matter closed.

The Blue Devils (17-8, 8-6 ACC) went on to lose 69-62 in overtime. Now they turn their attention to Notre Dame for a Tuesday night (7 p.m. ACC Network) clash at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Here’s what you need to know:

ACC ERROR:ACC admits to error on late overturned call in Duke basketball's OT loss to Virginia

ROBBED: Explaining overturned foul call that cost Duke basketball, Kyle Filipowski chance to beat Virginia

UPSET: How Duke basketball failed to upset No. 8 Virginia in overtime

Filipowski funk

Filipowski is on his way to being named the ACC Rookie of the Year, but he’s struggled the last two games. Averaging nearly a double-double, Filipowski was held scoreless against Virginia and only scored nine points against Miami. Duke lost both of those games.

He finished 0-for-6 against the Cavaliers and missed his two free-throw opportunities.

Facing a Notre Dame team that just gave up 93 points to Virginia Tech could be the pallet cleanser Filipowski needs as Duke heads into the final stretch of ACC play.

ACC big picture

The loss to Virginia was the first time the Blue Devils had suffered back-to-back defeats this season, pushing them three games behind Virginia (19-4, 11-3) and Pittsburgh (18-7, 11-3) for first place in the ACC.

With six games remaining in league play, a second straight conference title might be out of reach for Duke, but it’s still not out of the realm of possibility.

Four of Duke’s final six games are at Cameron Indoor Stadium, where it is 12-0 this season. The Blue Devils’ two road games are against Syracuse and a UNC squad they beat 63-57 on Feb. 4.

Final bow for Mike Brey

Tuesday’s game could evoke some emotions for Notre Dame coach Mike Brey. Brey, who announced he would retire after this season, was an assistant under Mike Krzyzewski at Duke from 1987-95.

This will be his final time coaching in Cameron.

The Fighting Irish (10-15, 2-12) have struggled his season, losing six of their last seven and falling one game out of last place in the ACC. Notre Dame has not won on the road this season.

Duke vs. Notre Dame score prediction

Duke 81, Notre Dame 59: The Irish are going to run into an angry Duke team that knows it was robbed. The Blue Devils will likely take that anger out on a struggling Notre Dame side that is starting a difficult three-game stretch against Duke, Virginia and UNC.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Duke basketball vs. Notre Dame: Scouting report, score prediction