Notre Dame-West Virginia: Teams Battle for Tournament Bid

Although this game doesn't feature Top 25 teams, it will be played with more emotion and desire than the majority of college basketball games all year.  Why?

Because this game means a lot to both teams.

Notre Dame, 14-10 (5-7), has recently resurrected their season and is perhaps a few solid wins away from securing an NCAA Tournament bid. 

West Virginia, 17-8 (6-6), is in a little better shape, but a loss here would definitely put the Mountaineers on the Tournament bubble.

No doubt that these two teams seem to be turning it on at the right time though.  After a gigantic defeat of then-No. 5 Louisville, the Irish notched another win against South Florida.  On the other hand, West Virginia is coming off a 21-point win over then-No. 13 Villanova.

The situation for the Irish is pretty straightforward from here on out: Don't lose, and you will most likely get in.  The Irish can scarcely afford another loss if they want to make it to March Madness for the third year in a row. 

That being said, you'd have to think a hungry Notre Dame team could pull these wins off easy, but that couldn't be falser.  Da'Sean Butler and Alex Ruoff will do everything in their power to keep the Irish from embarrassing them at home. 

Notre Dame is an ugly 2-6 on the road this season, with their only recognizable win being at DePaul.  This would be the type of game to reshape and restore Notre Dame's confidence outside of Indiana and lead them to better things.

Conversely, West Virginia is 11-2 at home, with their losses coming vs. Pitt and Connecticut. 

These two things point to an easy West Virginia victory, but the fact that the Irish have now beaten three top 10 teams (Texas at the time, Georgetown at the time, Louisville) stands out and proves the Irish as a contender. 

It will be a hard-fought battle in West Virginia.  That is certain.  The storyline is all about if Notre Dame can reverse their road woes and add another marquee win to their résumé.  If not, the Irish will be looking pretty glum heading into a Saturday game in Providence. 

My Prediction: Notre Dame 77-74

Luke Harangody has been taking smarter shots for the Irish, and if Kyle McAlarney and Ryan Ayers can stay warm for the sharpshooting Irish, their offense will be unstoppable.  The real question is if Notre Dame can lock down Butler for West Virginia.  Notre Dame isn't notable on defense, but if they can control Da'Sean like they controlled Earl Clark and Terrence Williams of Louisville, things tip in the Irish's favor.