Notre Dame Basketball: Staff Picks - Virginia

Pat Rick, Editor (5-1) (2-2)

Previous Picks: Notre Dame 81-71 (Florida State W, Michigan State L, UCLA L, Auburn W)

Notre Dame 74 - Virginia 72

“ND hasn't beaten Virginia since moving to the ACC, but with a home match-up against a very good but beatable Cavaliers team, I think ND wins another close game. BONZIE will have a huge game underneath, Farrell, Vasturia, and Beachem will all hit some shots, and TJ Gibbs will have a solid bounce-back game and give the Irish great minutes. Geben is definitely getting a dunk in this one as well.”

BONUS PICKS

No.20 Purdue @ Michigan State: Purdue
No.1 Villanova @ Marquette: Villanova
No.4 Kentucky @ Tennessee: Kentucky
Auburn @ No.23 South Carolina: South Carolina

Jeff Czerniakowski, Staff Writer (6-0) (2-2)

Previous Picks: Notre Dame 83 - Syracuse 72 (Florida State W, Indiana W, UCLA L, Alabama L)

Notre Dame 71 - Virginia 66

“I'm gonna stay with the Irish as they rolled past Syracuse in the last game. Virginia's coach Tony Bennett is known for his defense being tough to beat. I think the Irish are too hot right now for any defense to stop them at this point. Notre Dame wins a close game late, again.”

BONUS PICKS

No.20 Purdue @ Michigan State: Michigan State
No.1 Villanova @ Marquette: Villanova
No.4 Kentucky @ Tennessee: Kentucky
Auburn @ No.23 South Carolina: South Carolina

Ryan Chichester, Staff Writer (6-0) (2-2)

Previous Picks: Notre Dame 84 - Syracuse 75 (Florida State W, Indiana W, UCLA L, Alabama L)

Notre Dame 69 - Virginia 66

“This is my toughest pick so far, but I loved what I saw from Beachem and the Irish offense against Syracuse on Saturday. Beachem's performance could be the confidence boost he needs to really become a difference-maker against a very tough Virginia defense. It will be close, but I give the Irish the slight edge at home.”

BONUS PICKS

No.20 Purdue @ Michigan State: Purdue
No.1 Villanova @ Marquette: Villanova
No.4 Kentucky @ Tennessee: Kentucky
Auburn @ No.23 South Carolina: South Carolina

Brad Wechter, Editor (5-1) (1-3)

Previous Picks: Notre Dame 70 - Syracuse 63 (Florida State W, Michigan State L, UCLA L, Alabama L)

Notre Dame 70 - Virginia 67

“VJ Beachem has heated up at just the right time. Behind the same offense from Farrell, Colson and Vasturia, with Beachem added to the mix, the Irish finally beat Virginia.”

BONUS PICKS

No.20 Purdue @ Michigan State: Purdue
No.1 Villanova @ Marquette: Villanova
No.4 Kentucky @ Tennessee: Kentucky
Auburn @ No.24 South Carolina: South Carolina

Bobby Norell, Editor (4-2) (2-2)

Previous Picks: Notre Dame 78 - Syracuse 69 (Louisville L, Indiana W, UCLA L, Auburn W)

Notre Dame 70 - Virginia 66

“I think this will be Notre Dame’s toughest game all year. The Irish seem to have trouble with the way UVA plays. With this game being at Purcell Pavilion, I think Notre Dame should be able to make one or two more plays to put them over the top.

Virginia has a great defense and Notre Dame has a great offense. One is going to have to give on Tuesday night. I believe it’ll be a little bit of both. Notre Dame won’t score as much as they do, and UVA will give up a little more than they usually do.

V.J. Beachem needs to keep up his hot play. There is no question Notre Dame is much better team when Beachem is at the top of his game.

Matt Farrell should play a key factor. Virginia does a good job of defending the three-point shot, but Farrell has ability to drive the lane and find open three-point shooters.

Notre Dame will need to find away to get some transitions points against the Cavaliers. This can’t be a grind-it-out, half court type of game. If the Irish can stay away from that, they should come away with a victory.”

BONUS PICKS

No.20 Purdue @ Michigan State: Michigan State
No.1 Villanova @ Marquette: Villanova
No.4 Kentucky @ Tennessee: Kentucky
Auburn @ No.24 South Carolina: Auburn

Joshua Vowles, Site Manager (5-1) (3-1)

Previous Picks: Notre Dame 79 - Syracuse 79 (Florida State W, Indiana W, UCLA L, Auburn W)

Notre Dame 72 - Virginia 64

“In memory of John Montelus and Colin McGovern.”

BONUS PICKS

No.20 Purdue @ Michigan State: Purdue
No.1 Villanova @ Marquette: Villanova
No.4 Kentucky @ Tennessee: Kentucky
Auburn @ No.24 South Carolina: Auburn