One step forward, two steps back.
That’s what Notre Dame has done in their last three games with two confidence-building wins against Boston College and Miami, then turned around and had their worst offensive performance in a double-digit loss to No. 20 Virginia Tech.
Irish coach Mike Brey said after Wednesday’s game the biggest problem for his team against the Hokies was the physical condition with which opponents played on both sides of the pitch.
“You have tougher people,” said Brey. “I mean, I love my boys, but Virginia Tech is tougher. It’s just exhausting to play against. It wears you down. “
The schedule continues to be unforgiving for the Irish, who face another team on Saturday with high levels of physicality and athletic ability in Pittsburgh (8-4, 4-3 ACC). The game time in the ACC network is set to 8 p.m.
The Panthers season started with a demoralizing loss to Saint Francis, Pa., But since then Pitt has won eight out of eleven, including a win over Syracuse and a street win over Duke.
Pitt coach Jeff Capel’s group have lost their last two games to Wake Forest and North Carolina. So the Irish need to recover quickly – especially on the offensive – if they hope to win a team desperate to win.
PREMIER MATCHUP: HUBB VERSUS JOHNSON
Two of the best point guards in the ACC will be in the same place on Saturday night.
Notre Dame’s Prentiss Hubb has been one of the few consistent bright spots for the Irish this season, and his efforts last time against Virginia Tech helped keep his team within striking distance at half time.
“It’s nice to have a little more balance, but (against Virginia Tech) he was on an island,” Brey said of Hubb on Wednesday. “I have the greatest respect for him. He always puts it at risk for us. “
Hubb has hit double digits in the last three games, including 22 points against the Hokies. He scored over 20 points in his first game since losing a season high of 26 points against Ohio State on December 8.
He is currently second in the ACC with 5.1 assists per game and will only follow his opponent on Saturday: Pitts Xavier Johnson.
Johnson has averaged 6.3 assists per game this season and has the ninth-best assist-to-turnover ratio in the ACC (6.3 assists for 3.4 sales).
The junior from Woodbridge, Virginia can score at will to compliment his passing game. He averages 13.8 PPG and has hit double digits in eight of the twelve games he’s been on the field.
A defending “edge”
While the Irish offensive against the Hokies didn’t show up on Wednesday, the defense did an admirable job of bringing a top 25 team to just 62 points on 40 percent shooting.
During his 2-1 stretch, Brey has been pleased with the defensive intensity his team has put on the pitch and hopes the trend will continue in the upcoming games.
“I actually think starting with the BC game we played with a bit more edge and physicality,” said Brey. “I think we’ve definitely improved it lately (on defense).”
A strong defensive effort will be a necessity for the Irish if they are to exit Keystone State with a big win.
The Panthers have three players averaging double digits, including the league’s top goalscorer in Justin Champagnie (20.2 PPG).
Champagnie has scored more than 20 points in six games this year, his season high of 31 against Duke. He also helps the Panthers on the glass and gets more than 12 rebounds per game.
Pittsburgh is fourth in the conference on rebounds, so picking up keyboards against an aggressive and physical team like Pitt will be another tough test for the Irish.
Notre Dame has been improving in the glass lately, surpassing both BC and Miami on the road to wins, but was then beaten by the Hokies in that category, 46-36.
In the past, Notre Dame and Pittsburgh have played head-to-head games as members of the ACC, with six of the last eight meetings taking place within two or fewer possessions.
Last season the Irish turned the Panthers 80-72 upside down in the Purcell Pavilion.
“We have our hands full,” said Brey on Thursday. “They will physically follow us in defense, just like Virginia Tech. You played well and you have been nominated for Player of the Week in Champagnie. … We won our last street game. So can we jump back and do it again by winning on Saturday night? “
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