Notre Dame Basketball: Staff Picks - Louisville Round 2

Pat Rick, Editor (11-5) (25-19)

Previous Picks: Notre Dame 82 - Boston College 68 (Florida, Michigan State, UCLA, Michigan)

Louisville Cardinals 76 - Notre Dame Fighting Irish 70

“Notre Dame has won 6 straight games, but 5 of those have come against teams currently sitting at 10th, 11th, 14th, and 15th in the ACC. Playing Louisville on the road is a different beast entirely, and I expect Donovan Mitchell, Quentin Snider, and Deng Adel to put up some points while their entire team bothers the Irish with size and length advantages, especially Anas Mahmoud at the rim. BONZIE will get to the foul line and put up points, and Beachem will likely continue to shoot well, but Louisville's athletic and home court advantages will be the difference in this one.”

BONUS PICKS

No. 25 Miami @ No. 15 Florida State - Florida State
No. 17 Duke @ No. 5 North Carolina - UNC
Dartmouth @ Princeton - Princeton
Seton Hall @ No. 13 Butler

Jeff Czerniakowski, Staff Writer (13-3) (22-22)

Previous Picks: Notre Dame 79 - Boston College 64 (Florida W, Illinois W, UCLA W, Michigan L)

Louisville Cardinals 73 - Notre Dame Fighting Irish 69

“Notre Dame has been feasting on the bottom of the ACC. Louisville is not in the bottom of the ACC. This game should be close but home court advantage will be the tipping point. Also, Louisville will be motivated on senior night and coming off a loss to Wake Forest. Not a good mix for the Irish but look for it to be a good competitive game.”

BONUS PICKS

No. 25 Miami @ No. 15 Florida State - Miami
No. 17 Duke @ No. 5 North Carolina - UNC
Dartmouth @ Princeton - Princeton
Seton Hall @ No. 13 Butler

Ryan Chichester, Staff Writer (13-3) (26-18)

Previous Picks: Notre Dame 80 - Boston College 64 (Florida W, Michigan State L, UCLA W, Northwestern W)

Notre Dame Fighting Irish 78 - Louisville Cardinals 75

“The Irish might have some problems protecting the rim against the Cardinals, but I'm looking for VJ Beachem to carry over his hot shooting and Bonzie Colson will hold his own in the paint. Louisville has had trouble against ranked opponents this season, and will struggle to contain Notre Dame's perimeter attack as the Irish clinch a double bye in the ACC Tournament.”

BONUS PICKS

No. 25 Miami @ No. 15 Florida State - Miami
No. 17 Duke @ No. 5 North Carolina - UNC
Dartmouth @ Princeton - Princeton
Seton Hall @ No. 13 Butler

Brad Wechter, Editor (12-4) (26-18)

Previous Picks: Notre Dame 77 - Boston College 61 (Florida W, Illinois W, UCLA W, Northwestern W)

Notre Dame Fighting Irish 84 - Louisville 83

“The Irish show up on Saturday in the KFC YUM!!!!!!! Center. Beachem and Vasturia shine, Gibbs is hot off the bench, and Colson strengthens his case for ACC POY.

I'm in full-on fan mode after six straight wins.”

BONUS PICKS

No. 25 Miami @ No. 15 Florida State - Florida State
No. 17 Duke @ No. 5 North Carolina - Duke
Dartmouth @ Princeton - Princeton
Seton Hall @ No. 13 Butler

Bobby Norell, Editor (10-6) (26-18)

Previous Picks: Notre Dame 84 - Boston College 53 (Florida W, Illinois W, UCLA W, Northwestern W)

Louisville Cardinals 73 - Notre Dame Fighting Irish 69

“If Louisville wouldn’t have lost on Wednesday, I would have felt a little bit better about this one. I don’t see the Cards losing two straight, especially the second one coming at home.

V.J. Beachem had a fantastic outing last time out against Boston College. As much as I would love for him to follow it up with another one, I just don’t see it happening. He’s been so streaky this season that I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s a non-factor.

Other the hand, Bonzie Colson will make one last push for the ACC Player of the Year, even if it comes in a losing effort.

Also if Notre Dame wants any chance of my prediction being wrong...WEAR THE GOLD JERSEYS!”

BONUS PICKS

No. 25 Miami @ No. 15 Florida State - Florida State
No. 17 Duke @ No. 5 North Carolina - UNC
Dartmouth @ Princeton - Princeton
Seton Hall @ No. 13 Butler

Joshua Vowles, Site Manager (10-6) (23-21)

Previous Picks: Notre Dame 81 - Boston College 72 (Florida W, Michigan State L, UCLA W, Michigan L)

Notre Dame Fighting Irish 81 - Louisville Cardinals 80

“After White Steve drains the game-winner from beyond the three point line, Mike Brey runs to half-court, rips his shirt off, and smothers his body with freshly delivered Pizza Hut. Double-bye y'all!”

BONUS PICKS

No. 25 Miami @ No. 15 Florida State - Miami
No. 17 Duke @ No. 5 North Carolina - Duke
Dartmouth @ Princeton - Princeton
Seton Hall @ No. 13 Butler