Boston College is riding a wave of momentum into South Bend this weekend, looking to notch its third straight ACC win when it faces Notre Dame on Saturday. For a team that’s had its share of ups and downs this season, the Eagles are starting to find their footing-and they’re doing it the hard way: with grit, timely shooting, and just enough defense to close out tight games.
At 9-10 overall and 2-4 in conference play, Boston College isn’t lighting up the ACC standings just yet, but back-to-back wins over Syracuse (in overtime) and Pittsburgh have breathed new life into this group. Wednesday’s 65-62 win over Pitt was a prime example of how this team is learning to finish games.
Junior forward Boden Kapke stepped up in a big way, dropping a career-high 19 points-including a clutch three-pointer that broke a 62-all tie with just 22 seconds left on the clock. That’s the kind of shot that can shift a season’s trajectory.
Fred Payne, who continues to be the engine of the Eagles’ offense, chipped in 18 points in the win. He’s averaging a team-best 14.9 points per game and has become a steady presence for a squad still trying to carve out its identity.
Head coach Earl Grant sees signs that things are starting to click.
“Just happy we've been able to get over the hump,” Grant said. “Guys are practicing hard, really trying to believe in what we're doing, and hopefully, we can build on it.”
There’s a sense that this team, after enduring its share of early-season adversity, is starting to understand how to win close games. Grant pointed to improved execution on both ends-particularly on defense-as a key factor in their recent turnaround.
Still, the numbers show there’s work to be done. Boston College enters the weekend ranked last in the ACC in both scoring (68.4 points per game) and field goal percentage (40.2%). So while the effort and belief are trending in the right direction, the Eagles will need to keep grinding if they want to keep climbing the standings.
On the other side, Notre Dame is in search of answers. The Irish, now 10-9 overall and 1-5 in ACC play, have dropped five straight, including a tough 91-69 loss at No.
22 North Carolina on Wednesday. They shot just 36% from the field in that game-27-of-75-and struggled to keep pace with the Tar Heels from the opening tip.
Offensive consistency has been an issue all season for Notre Dame. Their 73.2 points per game rank 16th out of 18 ACC teams, and like BC, they’re still figuring out how to put together a full 40 minutes.
Head coach Micah Shrewsberry knows his young group is still learning what it takes to compete in the ACC night in and night out.
“Our dudes have got talent, but they've never been through the wars before,” Shrewsberry said. “They've never been through the grit and grime. I've got to get us gritty and grimey… We've got to build calluses in practice, and that's the only way that you're gonna be ready to do it.”
One bright spot for the Irish has been sophomore guard Sir Mohammed. While he’s averaging just 5.8 points per game on the season, he’s found a rhythm lately, scoring in double figures in each of the last three games. He’s totaled 41 points during that stretch and could be a key piece if Notre Dame hopes to turn things around.
Saturday’s matchup features two teams trying to grow up fast in a conference that doesn’t offer much room for error. Boston College is starting to show signs of cohesion and confidence, while Notre Dame is still searching for that spark to stop the skid. Expect a battle between two programs that may not be at the top of the ACC, but are fighting hard to get there.