THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 2010 – Notre Dame Fighting Irish (22-10) vs #17 Pittsburgh Panthers (24-7)
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Team records:
Notre Dame: 22-10 SU, 15-10-1 ATS
Pittsburgh: 24-7 SU, 16-10-2 ATS
The red-hot Fighting Irish will get their chance to solidify their chances for a NCAA tourney appearance by knocking off the No. 17 Pittsburgh Panthers in the Big East Tournament quarterfinals tonight at Madison Square Garden.
Notre Dame’s current winning streak started with a 68-53 upset of Pittsburgh back on February 24th. The victory tied the all-time series at 27-27 between the programs.
The winner of tonight’s contest moves on to the semifinals to face Cincinnati or West Virginia on Friday.
The Irish extended their win streak to five with a 68-56 win over 10th-seeded Seton Hall in second-round play last night. Senior forward Luke Harangoday posted a double double of 20 points and 10 rebounds in the win. With the return of a healthy Harangody, who’s averaging 23.2 ppg and 9.7 rpg, and Notre Dame’s suffocating defense, the Irish have become a real threat for the title.
Notre Dame held Seton Hall to 56 points and a meager 34.5 percent shooting performance from the field, and with that has now held five straight opponents to 64 points or fewer.
Other players of note are Tim Abromaitis and Ben Hansbrough who are averaging averaged 17.2 and 12.0 ppg, respectively. This team is definitely poised to make a run.
Then there’s Pittsburgh, a team that has defied all odds this season. After loosing a majority of their more productive and experience players last season, they have surprised many, finishing 13-7 for second place in the Big East. Not to shabby for a squad they was expected to barley crack the top 10 in the preseason poll.
The Panthers have been victorious in three straight and eight of their last nine games including an 83-54 pounding of Rutgers in the teams regular-season finale on Mar 6. Sophomore guard Ashotn Gibbs has been impressive and once again led the charge with 13 points. Gibbs earned the Big East’s Most Improved Player Award after averaging 16.2 ppg this season in comparison to just 4.3 ppg as a freshman.
He also shoots 40.4 percent from three-point range. Junior guard Brad Wanamaker follows Gibbs adding 12.0 ppg and 5.7 rpg, to go along with a team-high 4.7 apg.
Pitt’s defense has also been impressive holding opponents to 61.7 ppg and 39.8 percent shooting from the field.
Since 2000-01, Pitt has won a conference-high 19 games in the Big East Tournament on its way to seven of the last nine titles games. The team took home two titles during that stretch, with the most recent coming in 2008.
They will be well rested coming into tonight’s contest, and looking to avenge their defeat to the Irish earlier this year.
ND vs. Pitt Odds
The odds makers have the Panthers as –1-point favorites in this one.
Betting Trends:
Pittsburgh is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
Pittsburgh is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Notre Dame
Pittsburgh is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Notre Dame’s last 5 games
Notre Dame is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Notre Dame is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Notre Dame is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh’s last 6 games
Fighting Irish vs. Panthers CBB Pick
However, I expect Notre Dame to continue their hot-streak, upsetting the Panthers in a close one and advancing to the semifinals.
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Matt Martz is a freelance writer located in Central California. Blessed is the gambler who expects nothing, for ye shall not be disappointed.
