Jan 26, 2022; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Cormac Ryan (5) reacts after an offensive foul call against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the second half at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
The Notre Dame basketball team has punched their ticket to the second round of the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, where they will take on Texas Tech.
For a team that many felt would not even make the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament earlier in the year, to a team that became a bubble squad, the Notre Dame basketball team has exceeded expectations. They have not only earned a spot in the First Four, clinching their first tournament berth since 2017, but they have advanced out of the first round as well.
Playing as the No. 11 seed on Friday afternoon, the Irish were able to dominate the Alabama Crimson Tide thanks to strong outside play from Cormac Ryan. Ryan was money from beyond the arc, as he scored 29 points in total, and sent the No. 6 seed home packing.
Tonight, they battle it out against No. 3 Texas Tech in a game that could punch their ticket to the Sweet 16.
According to WynnBet, the Irish are big-time underdogs in this one, as they are getting eight points from the Texas Tech Red Raiders. The over/under is set at 133.0 and a Money Line bet on Notre Dame is +280 and on Texas Tech is -360.
The Irish were able to do whatever they wanted against the Alabama defense, something that is not going to be the case tonight against Texas Tech. This is a team that is playing at a very high level defensively right now, and they took the life out of the Alabama offense in the first round.
Notre Dame can get hot from beyond the arc, and they dominated from the free-throw line against Alabama, so they have to be aggressive against this Texas Tech defense. If they can get it going, moving the ball around and playing the brand of unselfish basketball they have been known for this season, they have a legitimate shot to move on.
However, the dance could be ending before the Irish make it to the Sweet 16. In the end, Texas Tech is just too much on the defensive side in this matchup.
My prediction: Texas Tech 78, Notre Dame 76
Tonight’s matchup between the Irish and the Red Raiders will be broadcast on TBS.
You can catch all of tonight’s action on FuboTV.
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