Notre Dame Faces Pittsburgh in the ACC Tournament: A Critical Showdown

As the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Tournament approaches its opening rounds, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish find themselves facing an important and challenging first-round matchup against the Pittsburgh Panthers. Both teams enter the game with different motivations, yet with equally high stakes: Notre Dame is striving to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament, while Pitt seeks to continue its momentum and build on its strong season in the ACC.

In this comprehensive preview, we’ll explore the importance of this game for both teams, break down the key players to watch, analyze the tactical aspects of both teams’ playstyles, and consider what each team needs to do to advance past the first round of the 2024 ACC Tournament.

1. Setting the Stage: The Importance of the ACC Tournament

The ACC Tournament serves as the final proving ground for teams vying for the title of conference champion, and more importantly, for a strong position in the NCAA Tournament. A strong showing in the conference tournament can elevate a team’s standing, giving them a better chance at a high seed in the NCAA Tournament.

For Notre Dame, the ACC Tournament is crucial. With a solid but inconsistent regular season, the Fighting Irish are in a precarious position, having to prove their worth against a capable Pitt team. A deep run in the ACC Tournament would help bolster their case for inclusion in the NCAA Tournament, and it could provide an opportunity for Notre Dame to show its potential as a dangerous team in March Madness. While their record is solid, a convincing performance in the ACC Tournament could be the difference between receiving a tournament bid or being left out of the field entirely.

Pitt, on the other hand, comes into the tournament with a bit more security regarding its NCAA Tournament positioning. While the Panthers might not be a lock for the tournament, a strong performance in the ACC Tournament, especially by defeating a program like Notre Dame, would further solidify their case. For Pitt, the opportunity to advance past the first round provides them with the chance to sharpen their skills and perhaps take down some of the top teams in the ACC, improving their seed in the NCAA Tournament.

With both teams hungry for a chance to improve their respective tournament profiles, the Notre Dame vs. Pitt matchup promises to be an exciting and fiercely contested battle. Let’s take a deeper dive into what each team brings to the table.

2. Notre Dame’s Strengths and Key Players

Olivia Miles: The Engine of Notre Dame’s Offense

There’s no denying that the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are built around Olivia Miles, the dynamic sophomore point guard who has emerged as one of the premier players in women’s college basketball. Miles is a dual-threat on the court, capable of not only scoring but also facilitating for her teammates. Her combination of speed, vision, and basketball IQ makes her a nightmare for opposing defenses, and her ability to control the tempo of the game will be crucial against a defense-oriented team like Pitt.

Throughout the regular season, Miles has consistently demonstrated her ability to be a leader both offensively and defensively. She has an innate ability to find open teammates, setting up easy shots, and she is more than capable of taking over games when the situation calls for it. Additionally, her ability to create her own shot from mid-range or driving to the basket gives Notre Dame the offensive versatility needed to break down tough defenses.

If Notre Dame is to get past Pitt, Miles will need to be at her best. She’ll be tasked with attacking Pitt’s defense, finding cracks in their game plan, and making plays both as a scorer and as a facilitator.

Dara Mabrey: The Veteran Shooter

Alongside Olivia Miles, Dara Mabrey is another key player to watch for Notre Dame. As a veteran guard, Mabrey has been a constant offensive threat for the Irish, especially with her ability to shoot from deep. Her three-point shooting, in particular, can be a game-changer, as it stretches the defense and creates more space for teammates to operate.

Mabrey’s shooting will be critical in this matchup, as Pitt is likely to focus a great deal of attention on Miles. If Mabrey can knock down open shots, she will force Pitt to adjust defensively, opening up more opportunities for other players on the team.

Maddy Westbeld: Inside Presence and Rebounding

Another important player for Notre Dame is Maddy Westbeld, a forward known for her strong rebounding and scoring in the paint. Her size and ability to finish around the basket make her an important weapon against a Pitt team that will look to control the boards. If Westbeld can establish an inside presence, she will give Notre Dame another dimension offensively.

However, Westbeld’s value extends beyond scoring. She is a great rebounder and an essential piece of Notre Dame’s defense. Her ability to box out and secure defensive rebounds will be key in limiting Pitt’s second-chance opportunities.

3. Pittsburgh’s Strengths and Key Players

Jamarius Burton: Pitt’s Leader

On the Pittsburgh Panthers side, Jamarius Burton is the player to watch. As the team’s primary scorer and leader, Burton has been excellent throughout the regular season. His ability to break down defenses with his driving ability and his scoring from beyond the arc makes him one of the most dangerous players for Notre Dame to contend with.

Burton is an experienced guard who has the poise and confidence to perform in big games. His ability to both score and facilitate will test Notre Dame’s defense, and the Fighting Irish will need to focus their efforts on limiting his impact on the game. Whether by denying him the ball or forcing him into tough shots, Notre Dame must find a way to neutralize Burton to slow down Pitt’s offense.

Blake Hinson: The Stretch Forward

Alongside Burton, Blake Hinson provides scoring depth for Pitt. Known for his ability to stretch the floor with his three-point shooting, Hinson has emerged as a key offensive threat. If Hinson can get hot from beyond the arc, he will force Notre Dame to adjust their defense, and this could open up opportunities for Burton and other players to attack the basket.

With **Notre Dame’s defensive focus likely to be on Burton, Hinson could find himself with more open looks. Pitt will look to exploit this and use Hinson‘s shooting to space out the defense and create more opportunities.

Nelly Cummings: The Facilitator

Another important player for Pitt is Nelly Cummings, the Panthers’ point guard. Cummings has been instrumental in setting up Burton and Hinson for scoring opportunities, and his ability to run the offense will be critical in orchestrating Pitt’s attack. If Cummings can find ways to disrupt Notre Dame’s defense, he could create open looks for his teammates, forcing the Irish into difficult defensive situations.

4. Keys to the Game: How Notre Dame Can Win

For Notre Dame to come out on top, several factors will be crucial:

• Contain Jamarius Burton: The Fighting Irish need to limit Burton‘s scoring ability and make him work for every basket. Double-teaming him or forcing him into tough shots could help slow down Pitt’s offense.
• Maximize Offensive Flow: Notre Dame’s offense, led by Olivia Miles, thrives when the team is in sync. If Miles can create opportunities for Mabrey and Westbeld, the Irish could find success breaking down Pitt’s defense.
• Defensive Rebounds: With Pitt’s ability to crash the boards, Notre Dame must focus on securing defensive rebounds to limit second-chance opportunities. Maddy Westbeld‘s rebounding will be crucial in this area.
• Take Advantage of Depth: Notre Dame will need contributions from players off the bench to ensure the starting lineup stays fresh and to provide a scoring spark when needed.

5. Keys to the Game: How Pitt Can Win

For Pitt to win, they will need to focus on:

• Stopping Olivia Miles: Pitt’s defense will need to focus on containing Olivia Miles, the engine of Notre Dame’s offense. If Burton and Cummings can disrupt her rhythm, Pitt will be in a much better position to slow down Notre Dame’s attack.
• Limit Turnovers: While Pitt thrives in defensive intensity, turning the ball over could cost them. They need to stay disciplined and minimize mistakes that give Notre Dame easy transition points.
• Exploit the Three-Point Line: If Pitt can knock down outside shots, especially from Blake Hinson, they’ll stretch Notre Dame’s defense and create easier opportunities for Burton to attack the basket.