North Carolina Tar Heels vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish Picks and Predictions March 12th 2025

Notre Dame Survives Pitt in ACC Opener

Notre Dame’s journey in the ACC Tournament started with a dramatic victory over Pitt, secured by a last-second free throw from Tae Davis. The 55-54 win showcased the Irish’s resilience, as they pulled off the victory despite an off night from leading scorer Markus Burton, who finished with just 10 points.

Nikita Konstantynovskyi stepped up in a big way, posting a season-high 10 points while grabbing a game-high nine rebounds. Davis, who sealed the game at the free-throw line, emphasized the importance of every player stepping up when needed.

Now, Notre Dame faces a quick turnaround as they prepare to battle North Carolina, a team with much more at stake in the tournament.

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North Carolina Enters With High Stakes

North Carolina, the No. 5 seed, had a first-round bye and will be playing with urgency as it fights to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The Tar Heels enter the matchup needing a deep ACC Tournament run to solidify their position in the field.

Head coach Hubert Davis stressed the importance of staying focused on the present, acknowledging that every game from this point forward is critical. The Tar Heels are coming off an 82-69 loss to Duke, a game in which they battled back from a double-digit deficit before ultimately falling short.

With their six-game winning streak snapped, North Carolina will be eager to return to its winning ways against Notre Dame. R.J. Davis and Armando Bacot will be key players, with Davis leading the offensive attack and Bacot expected to dominate the boards.

A Rematch of a Thrilling Regular-Season Battle

These two teams met earlier this season in a game that went down to the wire. North Carolina edged out a 74-73 victory on January 4 in South Bend, thanks to a clutch four-point play by Elliot Cadeau with 4.8 seconds remaining. That contest featured 17 lead changes, proving just how evenly matched these teams can be when both are playing at their best.

Notre Dame head coach Micah Shrewsberry acknowledged the challenge ahead, noting that North Carolina thrives in transition and that slowing down the Tar Heels will be a crucial factor in the Irish’s game plan.

What’s at Stake?

A win for Notre Dame would keep their postseason dreams alive and add to their growing confidence after a gutsy victory over Pitt. Burton will need to bounce back and return to his usual scoring form if the Irish hope to advance.

For North Carolina, the stakes are even higher. The Tar Heels are aiming to prove they belong in the NCAA Tournament, and a loss to Notre Dame would put their chances in serious jeopardy. With R.J. Davis and Bacot leading the way, UNC will look to impose its will early and avoid another close finish.

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Winner Advances to Face Wake Forest

The winner of this matchup will advance to the ACC quarterfinals, where No. 4 seed Wake Forest awaits. Notre Dame is hoping to continue its Cinderella run, while North Carolina is determined to take another step toward March Madness.

With so much on the line, this second-round ACC Tournament clash promises to be a battle from start to finish.