Notre Dame @ Virginia preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 26, 2019 ) Virginia 82, Notre Dame 55

Virginia returns to the court to host Notre Dame on Saturday afternoon after its big road win at North Carolina on Monday evening. The Fighting Irish and Cavaliers are meeting for the second time this season after No. 4 Virginia cruised to an easy win in South Bend, Ind. on Jan. 26.

De’Andre Hunter scored 19 points and five Cavaliers hit double figures in the 82-55 win over Notre Dame three weeks ago. "I can't say enough how impressed I am with them. They could win the national championship," Fighting Irish coach Mike Brey told reporters after the loss. Virginia flashed that championship potential once again on Monday night as the Cavaliers rallied for a 69-61 win over the eighth-ranked Tar Heels in Chapel Hill, N.C. Notre Dame is coming off a 69-59 win over Georgia Tech on Sunday and has won two of three, its best stretch in conference play so far this season.

TV: 2 p.m. ET, ACC Network

ABOUT NOTRE DAME (13-11, 3-8 ACC): The Fighting Irish shot 32.8 percent from the field and 22.2 percent from the 3-point line against the Yellow Jackets but managed to win thanks in part to going 21-of-25 from the foul line. Junior guard T.J. Gibbs led the Irish with 20 points and also chipped in with five assists and four steals, while leading scorer John Mooney added 11 points - despite a 4-for-16 effort from the floor - and 14 rebounds for his 15th double-double of the season. Defense also fueled Notre Dame’s win over Georgia Tech, as the Irish forced 14 turnovers and won the rebounding battle 45-39, including a 20-12 margin on the offensive glass.

ABOUT VIRGINIA (21-2, 9-2): It was an up-and-down game at North Carolina as Virginia led by seven at the half and trailed by seven with less than eight minutes remaining before rallying for the eight-point win. Kyle Guy scored 20 and hit five 3-pointers, including back-to-back threes in the final two minutes, to help seal the win. Hunter also scored 20 while Virginia’s defense rebounded from an uncharacteristic outing one game earlier against Duke, holding the Tar Heels to 35.4 percent shooting from the floor and 30 percent from long range.

TIP-INS

1. Virginia leads the all-time series 12-2, including wins in each of the last two meetings.

2. The Cavaliers and Fighting Irish rank first (tied with two other teams) and fifth, respectively, in the nation in fewest turnovers per game at 9.3 and 9.7.

3. Virginia is holding its opponents to an average of 54.4 points, the lowest mark in the country.

PREDICTION: Virginia 72, Notre Dame 55