Notre Dame Basketball VS Ball State: Staff Picks

Jeff Czerniakowski, Staff Writer (5-0 ND Games) (16-8 Bonus Picks)

No. 9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Ball State Cardinals — No. 9 Notre Dame

“I’ll take Notre Dame big. They should be over the Michigan State hangover by now and ready to put a good beatdown onto a less talented opponent. ”

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Ryan Kelley, Staff Writer (5-0 ND Games) (14-10 Bonus Picks)

No. 9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Ball State Cardinals — No. 9 Notre Dame

“The Irish should play much better after shaking off the rust from an 8-day layoff, but Ball State can’t be taken lightly. The Cardinals are riding a three-game winning streak in which they’ve shot 56.5 percent from the floor. But TJ Gibbs has been shooting it nearly that well from deep (54.1) and I want to see him heap up in this one.”

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Austin Gallagher, Staff Writer (4-1 ND Games) (16-8 Bonus Picks)

No. 9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Ball State Cardinals — No. 9 Notre Dame

“Notre Dame didn't have the best game on Sunday, but as the saying goes: a win is a win. With a win comes momentum, and that will carry over to the matchup against the Cardinals. The Irish should cruise to a comfortable victory against a decent, but clearly outmatched Ball State squad.”

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Ryan Chichester, Staff Writer (5-0 ND Games) (12-12 Bonus Picks)

No. 9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Ball State Cardinals — No. 9 Notre Dame

“The Irish looked a bit sluggish in their last win, but that won’t last. Colson plays angry and dominates, and Ball State can’t find their way out of Matt Farrell’s beard.”

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Brad Wechter, Editor (5-0 ND Games) (14-10 Bonus Picks)

No. 9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Ball State Cardinals — No. 9 Notre Dame

“I expect the Irish to come out focused against an inferior opponent to put the bad taste of the loss at Michigan State and the weirdness that was a Sunday afternoon game against St. Francis out of their mouths. Irish pull away late to cover the 18 point spread.”

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Bobby Norell, Editor (5-0 ND Games) (13-11 Bonus Picks)

No. 9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Ball State Cardinals — No. 9 Notre Dame

“The Irish looked a little sluggish against St. Francis on Sunday. I don't expect that to carry over to Tuesday night. Ball State isn't a team to be taken lightly. They were picked to finish second in the MAC and even got a few first place votes. In the end though, Farrell, Colson and Gibbs should be too much. Give me the Irish going away in the second half.”

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Pat Rick, Editor (5-0 ND Games) (15-9 Bonus Picks)

No. 9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Ball State Cardinals — No. 9 Notre Dame

“Ball State has given up point totals of 108 and 95 to the two Power 5 conference teams they have played so far this year (Oklahoma and Oregon, who beat the Cardinals by 39 and 24, respectively). The Irish are due for a very good offensive game after some struggles in the past few (Matt Farrell especially is due for a really good game). I think Farrell, BONZIE, and a resurgence from TJ Gibbs result in a big ND blowout and a much more satisfying win than Sunday's weird victory over Saint Francis Brooklyn. Also, Martinas ‘The Bird Whisperer’ Geben will get another dunk in this one.”

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