Notre Dame battles Duke to break tie for first in ACC
SOUTH BEND – As impressive as Notre Dame’s win over UConn in December was, it still was a nonconference game. Nothing can compare to the conference schedule, and that’s what makes the Irish’s contest with Duke a lot more important. Both teams are tied for first in the ACC, so only one of them will walk out of Purcell Pavilion atop the conference. With only a month to go before the ACC Tournament, this game potentially could play a role in seeding, too.
It’s not a question of whether either team makes the NCAA Tournament. After all, the ACC is one of three conferences to have eight teams in ESPN’s latest Bracketology. However, it could play a measuring stick as to what happens when both teams play quality opponents. The Irish still are adjusting to life without the injured dara mabrey, and we don’t quite know the full extent of her loss yet.
The pressure is on in South Bend as this is the programs’ only meeting during the regular season. Which team can handle that pressure better? We’re about to find out.
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