GAME PREVIEW: NOTRE DAME AT BOSTON COLLEGE

Fighting Irish Seek Road Win at Conte Forum

Notre Dame (10-13, 4-8 ACC) at Boston College (10-13, 2-10 ACC)

Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025
Conte Forum – Chestnut Hill, MA
9:00 PM ET
ESPNU | 960 WSBT-AM

SETTING THE STAGE

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish look to complete a season sweep of Boston College when they travel to Conte Forum for a crucial ACC showdown on Wednesday night. The Irish, who secured a dominant 78-60 victory over the Eagles in South Bend on January 13, will aim to build on that momentum as they continue ACC play.

Notre Dame has struggled on the road this season (2-7 away from Purcell Pavilion), but they’re coming off a signature 74-59 road win at Virginia, marking their first-ever victory at John Paul Jones Arena. Meanwhile, Boston College enters the contest on a four-game losing streak and will look to snap a skid against the Irish.

SERIES HISTORY

• Overall Record: Notre Dame leads 28-17
• At Boston College: Series tied 10-10
• Last Meeting: Notre Dame won 78-60 (Jan. 13, 2025, in South Bend)
• Streak: Notre Dame W1
• Last BC Win at Conte Forum: 63-59 on Jan. 15, 2024

BY THE NUMBERS (2024-25 Season Stats)

Notre Dame enters the contest with a superior scoring margin (+3.0 PPG) compared to Boston College, which has struggled defensively, allowing 76.6 PPG.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

• Markus Burton (ND, G, So.)
  • 22.1 PPG in ACC play (1st in the conference)
  • 45.1% 3PT in ACC games
  • Just 93 points away from 1,000 career points

• Tae Davis (ND, F, Jr.)
  • 15.6 PPG, 6.2 RPG
  • Shooting 49.4% from the field

• Braeden Shrewsberry (ND, G, So.)
  • 13.7 PPG, 2.7 3PTM per game
  • 38.4% from 3PT in ACC play

• Quinten Post (BC, F, Sr.)
  • Leads BC in scoring (16.4 PPG) and rebounding (7.8 RPG)
  • Shooting 50.2% from the field

• Donald Hand Jr. (BC, G, So.)
  • 14.2 PPG, 3.9 APG

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

• Can the Irish overcome their second-half struggles?
  • Notre Dame has suffered three straight losses where they’ve blown double-digit leads. Against Virginia Tech, they led by 14 in the first half before falling 65-63.

• Notre Dame’s three-point shooting advantage
  • The Irish rank 2nd in the ACC in 3PT% in conference play (38.9%), while BC allows opponents to shoot 36.7% from deep. If Burton and Shrewsberry get hot from three, it could be a long night for the Eagles.

• Boston College’s home-court factor
  • Though the Eagles are just 2-10 in ACC play, they’ve played better at home, nearly upsetting ranked Clemson last week. Notre Dame has lost its last four road games at Conte Forum.

PREDICTION

Notre Dame's ability to shoot the three, combined with Boston College's defensive struggles, should give the Irish an edge. If the Irish can control the boards and limit second-half lapses, they should walk away with a road victory.

Final Score Prediction: Notre Dame 74, Boston College 68

Check out Len Clark's full stats breakdown at the Len Zone!