Notre Dame Basketball: Staff Picks - Virginia Tech

Pat Rick, Editor (3-0)

Previous Pick: Notre Dame 79 - Miami 76

Notre Dame 84 - Virginia Tech 75

“The Hokies are a very good offensive team, with lots of shooting to go around. But the Irish are even more efficient on the offensive end, with any one or more of Bonzie, Matty Farrell, Vasturia, and Beachem able to go for 20+ points. I expect this to be close and exciting until the end, when ND will then transform its defense into the clutch stop-getting machine it has been in various late-game situations this year, and hits all the free throws needed to ice another huge road victory over a potential tournament team. Oh, also, Marty Geben will definitely get another dunk in this one.”

Jeff Czerniakowski, Staff Writer (3-0)

Previous Pick: Notre Dame 78 - Miami 73

Notre Dame 83 - Virginia Tech 72

“It's so hard to not pick the Irish right now. They keep finding ways to win and I will be looking for that to continue into Virginia Tech. One of Notre Dame's offensive weapons will breakout and score 25+ against a rather weak VT defense. This is another perfect game for Notre Dame to get hot from 3 and let their shooting carry them to another victory.”

Ryan Chichester, Staff Writer (3-0)

Previous Pick: Notre Dame 72 - Miami 68

Notre Dame 85 - Virginia Tech 79

“How can you go against the Irish right now? Even when they don't look like themselves, they find ways to win, like they did in Miami on Wednesday. Now they face a much weaker defense in the Hokies, who recently surrendered over 100 points to NC State. The Irish will not have trouble scoring, and while the Hokies are good three-point shooters themselves, the Irish will make enough stops to set up an epic showdown with Florida State next week.”

Brad Wechter, Editor (2-1)

Previous Pick: Notre Dame 67 - Miami 62

Notre Dame 70 - Virginia Tech 65

“I'm going out on a limb here and predicting a close game. I'll even go so far as to say that Steve Vasturia will have the ball in his hands with under a minute to go, and he'll put it in the basket.”

Bobby Norell, Editor (2-1)

Previous Pick: Miami 72 - Notre Dame 68

Virginia Tech 79 - Notre Dame 74

“I was gladly wrong last game as I went with the ‘Canes, but again I’m going against the Irish for the second straight game. This will be Notre Dame’s second game in three days. Virginia Tech hasn’t played since Tuesday, so they’ll be relatively fresh. I said this last game, I think Notre Dame might be due for a loss. It’s almost impossible to win this many close games in a row. It’s also very difficult to win on the road in conference. I hope I’m wrong again with my pick, but I’m going with the Hokies in a close one.”

Joshua Vowles, Site Manager (3-0)

Previous Pick: Notre Dame 76 - Miami 74

Notre Dame 86 - Virginia Tech 71

“Football seniors to basketball team...AVENGE ME!”