No. 4 West Virginia Mountaineers vs. No. 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Preview
Where: KeyBank Center – Buffalo, NY
When: Saturday, March 18, 2017 – 12:10 PM ET
Line: West Virginia Mountaineers (-3) vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (+3); total: 145.5– view all NCAAB lines
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Betting on the West Virginia Mountaineers (27-8, 12-6 Big 12)
Although the first round wasn’t as easy as they thought it would be, with Bucknell hanging around till the end, the Mountaineers were able to show how well they can adjust when things aren’t going their way. They’ve always imposed their defense, but the offense became a key as well, so much so that the 86-80 win was the 17th time Bob Huggins’s boys scored 85 or more this season.
Jevon Carter’s ice cold night (only 2-for-9 from the field) was negated by Nathan Adrian posting 12 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks. One of their bench guys, Lamont West, who averages a mere 5.8 points on 12 minutes of play per contest, also boomed and recorded a team-high 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting.
This coming Saturday, however, the team should know that they have to be back on being a stifling group of defenders. Such a struggle against an opponent like Notre Dame will get them knocked out of the tourney in no time.
West Virginia, or as some would call them, “Press Virginia,” is the fifth-ranked defense overall, and they lead the nation in steals (10.2 SPG). Additionally, they also average 82.1 PPG and list inside the top 25 in offensive efficiency.
The Mountaineers are 14-6 in their last 20 games (7-12-1 ATS).
Betting on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (26-9, 12-6 ACC)
Notre Dame was also unable to coast in the first round, which was unlike what most people predicted, as they only edged Princeton by a field goal, 60-58.
Still, every win should be a good win, especially in March Madness.
The team’s usual suspects led the way, with Bonzie Colson scoring a game-high 18 points and seven rebounds, and Matt Farrell adding 16 points, four assists, and three threes.
Colson (17.2 PPG), Farrell (14.2), VJ Beachem (14.7), and Steve Vasturia (13.2) are the guys to watchout for again. They’ll have an array of pesky Mountaineers shadowing their every move, but they should still be able to survive. Their play in the perimeter and ability to create offense for themselves allow Notre Dame to play at various speeds, which can be a big part of them winning the game, since it is well known that West Virginia tends to lose rhythm when the pace gets slowed down.
The Fighting Irish are 9-2 in their last 11 (7-4 ATS), and they look prepared for WVU’s press, as they only commit 7.9 turnovers per game during that span.
Writer’s Prediction
Notre Dame wins it, 76-72.
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