Wake Forest vs Notre Dame Final Score Prediction for Tuesday, Feb. 27
This should be a slower, low-scoring affair between two ACC foes
By Joe Summers
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons (18-9) travel to Notre Dame (10-17) for a Tuesday night tip after perhaps their best performance of the season in an 83-79 win over Duke.
Notre Dame won three of its last four games following a seven-game losing streak, though Wake Forest still has a big advantage across the board. The Demon Deacons need to avoid a let-down, especially with two consecutive road losses, though this is a great opportunity to maintain momentum and bolster their NCAA Tournament resume.
This is the first meeting between these programs this season, but Wake Forest has three straight wins overall in the series. In a big matchup for the ACC standings, here's an initial breakdown of the game and a final score prediction:
Wake Forest vs Notre Dame Final Score Prediction
Star guard Hunter Sallis was nearly perfect against the Blue Devils, scoring 29 points while shooting 11-of-13 from the field with six rebounds and a steal. He's a blistering 16-of-24 from beyond the arc in his last five games and he'll be the focal point of Wake Forest's attack once again.
Notre Dame ranks 162nd nationally in opponent three-point shooting percentage (33.6%), giving the Demon Deacons a clear advantage on the perimeter fueled by Sallis' hot stretch of play. Wake Forest is 26th in effective field goal percentage (54.9%) and the Irish are a paltry 291st (47.5%), so they should coast to a victory barring a terrible shooting night.
π£πππ¬ππ₯ π’π π§ππ πͺπππ β‘οΈ Hunter Sallis, @WakeMBB
β ACC Men's Basketball (@accmbb) February 26, 2024
π Racked up 29 points on 11-of-13 from the field, including 5-of-6 from 3-point range to secure the win over Duke
π Averaged 23 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists while shooting 76.2% from the field
π°β¦ pic.twitter.com/oRvhZcKPxm
The Fighting Irish play at one of the slowest paces in the country and are a strong interior defensive team, so I expect a lower-scoring contest relative to Wake's last few games at home. The under is 6-1 in Notre Dame's last seven home games and hit in three straight road games for the Demon Deacons, illustrating the point that a scoring barrage is unlikely.
Neither team shoots free throws at a high rate or pull down many offensive rebounds, limiting the number of possessions overall.
This is a game Wake Forest should win with relative ease, but I expect fewer points due to Notre Dame's pace and general offensive ineptitude. Give me the Demon Deacons to pull away late and earn a third straight win.
Wake Forest vs. Notre Dame Final Score Prediction: 71-58 Wake Forest