After getting into a bit of a groove with a couple games against the dregs of the ACC, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (5-8 overall, 2-5 ACC) are stepping back into the ring with a conference heavyweight tonight at the Purcell Pavilion. The #20 Virginia Tech Hokies (11-3 overall, 5-2 ACC) arrive in South Bend tied for third in the conference, having already handed the Irish a 77-63 defeat in Blacksburg earlier this season.
In addition to trying to extend their fledgling winning streak, the Irish also hope end a losing one: an 0-27 skid against ranked opponents that stretches back over three years, all the way to the birth of Maui Mike Brey against the #6 Wichita State Shockers on November 22, 2017.