Checking in on how the teams in the ACC have done since our last update (Dec. 14):
The highlight for the Irish over the last stretch was their first game after our last update: a 63-52 victory at now-No. 9 Virginia Tech. Notre Dame was No. 5 and VA Tech was No. 6 at the time and the contest lived up to expectations in terms of being close. It was a defensive struggle and the Irish pulled away with a 23-9 fourth quarter that featured 10 points from Olivia Miles.
Notre Dame also endured a three-point scare from a Miami team that has six losses, though none of those losses have been embarrassing. The Irish would have of course preferred to beat the Hurricanes by more, but at least they were able to avoid the upset bug that bit the ACC’s other top teams. As a result, they are now a No. 1 seed in ESPN’s bracketology.
In their two other games since our last update, the Irish easily took care of business against Western Michigan and BC. Miles averaged 13.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 2.5 steals over the stretch.
No. 19 Duke Blue Devils (13-1, 3-0 ACC, No. 3 seed in ESPN’s Jan. 3 Bracketology)
Duke deserves a lot of credit for ending NC State’s impressive streak. The Blue Devils didn’t suffer a letdown afterward, defeating the proud and preseason No. 7
