Jan. 13, 2017
ND Game Notes at Virginia Tech 
WHO: No. 20/20 Notre Dame (15-2, 4-0 ACC) at Virginia Tech (13-3, 2-2 ACC)
WHERE: Cassell Coliseum, Blacksburg, Virginia
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 14, 2:00 p.m. ET
TELEVISION BROADCAST: ACC Network with Tom Werme (play-by-play) and Bobby Cremins (analyst).
Where To Watch – http://theacc.co/mbb17accn0114b
Watch Live Online – http://theacc.co/mbb17live0114b
Watch On ACC Network Extra (subject to blackout) – http://es.pn/2iLTUSE
RADIO BROADCAST: Notre Dame Basketball Radio Network with Jack Nolan (play-by-play) and Zach Hillesland (analyst).
Notre Dame Basketball Radio Network Affiliates
Here are Five Things To Know About the Notre Dame – Virginia Tech matchup:
NOTRE DAME vs. VIRGINIA TECH SERIES HISTORY:
Notre Dame and Virginia Tech will be meeting for the eighth time on Saturday afternoon. The Irish lead the series 6-1, with the lone loss coming in the 1973 NIT Championship game.
The Irish are 6-0 against the Hokies as conference members, including the 85-61 victory in Blacksburg on Feb. 24, 2001, which clinched the Big East West Division title for Notre Dame – at that time it was the first conference title of any kind in school history (Notre Dame has since won the ACC Championship in 2015).
Mike Brey and Buzz Williams will be meeting as opposing head coaches for the 13th time on Saturday afternoon. Brey leads the all-time series 7-5, claiming both previous meetings as ACC foes. The two coaches split their Big East meetings 5-5 when Williams was the head coach at Marquette.
CLOSING TIME:
Notre Dame has shown a knack for finishing games in its first four ACC victories of the season.
Against Pittsburgh, trailing by five with 2:42 remaining, Notre Dame finished regulation on a 6-1 run to force overtime, then finished overtime on an 8-2 run over the final 2:25 to earn a 78-77 victory.
In the victory over No.9/9 Louisville, the score was tied 68-68 with 2:00 remaining before the Irish closed the game on a 9-2 run to secure the win.
In the win over Clemson, the Tigers claimed a 68-67 lead with 2:17 left before an 8-2 Irish run over the game’s final minutes earned Notre Dame a victory.
Back on the road at Miami, the Irish found themselves behind 61-57 with 2:53 reamaining, but rallied to outscore the Hurricanes 10-1 for the rest of the game to get the victory.
Total it all up and the Irish have outscored their first four ACC opponents 35-7 in the final 9:35 (combined) of game action.
STREAK BUSTERS:
Notre Dame’s 67-62 victory at Miami on Thursday, Jan. 12, ended the Hurricane’s 21-game win streak at the Watsco Center.
It marks the first time the Irish have ended a 20-game home win streak since the victory at Pittsburgh on Jan. 24, 2011, when Notre Dame won 56-51 over the second-ranked Panthers.
VASTURIA = CLUTCH:
Notre Dame’s first four ACC victories would not be possible without three clutch plays at the end of each game from Steve Vasturia.
In the ACC opener at Pittsburgh, Vasturia’s two FTs pushed the game to overtime and his three pointer with 2.5 seconds remaining proved to be the game winner in the 78-77 OT victory.
Vasturia would end the Pittsburgh game scoring 10 of Notre Dame’s final 12 points while assisting on the other field goal.
Against No. 9/9 Louisville, Vasturia poured in a career-best 24 points, none more important than his runner in the lane with :19 seconds remaining to put the Irish ahead to stay 73-68 in the eventual 77-70 victory.
In the win over Clemson, Vasturia nailed a corner three-point field goal at the shot clock buzzer of an inbounds play with 1:45 remaining, pushing the Irish ahead 70-68 in an eventual 75-70 victory.
On the road again at Miami, Vasturia drove to the basket again, beating the shot clock (:03 remaining) with a runner in the lane with :08 left in the game to stretch Notre Dame’s 63-62 lead to 65-62 in an eventual 67-62 win.
DEFENSE:
Notre Dame has held its four conference opponents to .406 FG shooting from the field – a mark which leads the league in conference competition. The Irish have held three of their four conference opponents below .400 FG shooting.
For much more on the Notre Dame – Virginia Tech game, download the game notes at the top of the page.