Virginia Tech vs. Notre Dame: Five Keys That Could Decide Saturday’s Matchup
Virginia Tech and Notre Dame are both limping into Saturday’s noon tip-off, each trying to shake off a stretch of frustrating results that have been shaped, in large part, by injuries. The Hokies just got a much-needed boost with the return of Tobi Lawal, while the Fighting Irish are still waiting to get back to full strength. But while Virginia Tech may be healthier on paper, that hasn’t translated into closing out games - something they’ve struggled with down the stretch this season.
Saturday’s showdown offers both teams a chance to reset. For the Hokies, it’s about proving they can finish.
For Notre Dame, it’s about whether they can gut one out on the road despite being short-handed. Here are five key areas that could swing the outcome.
1. Three-Point Shooting: Strength vs. Strength
Notre Dame isn’t fully reliant on the three-ball, but it’s still a major part of their offensive identity. The Irish sit just outside the top 75 nationally in terms of percentage of points coming from beyond the arc. That makes this a fascinating matchup against a Virginia Tech defense that ranks among the nation’s top 20 in defending the three.
The Irish will lean heavily on Braeden Shrewsberry and Cole Certa to get things going from deep. If the Hokies can throw them off rhythm early - chase them off the line, contest without fouling, and rotate effectively - Notre Dame could struggle to generate consistent offense, especially without their top playmaker, Markus Burton. This is a classic chess match between perimeter offense and perimeter defense, and it could set the tone for the rest of the game.
2. Playmaking: Hokies Have the Edge
Without Burton, Notre Dame has had a hard time creating clean looks. Logan Imes has been asked to step up as a facilitator, but defenses have been able to sag off him, knowing he’s not a major scoring threat. Shrewsberry can move the ball, but his assists come more from extra passes within the flow of the offense than from creating off the dribble.
Virginia Tech, on the other hand, has multiple playmakers who can initiate offense and keep things fluid. Neo Avdalas, Ben Hammond, and Jailen Bedford have all shown they can generate offense both for themselves and for others.
That versatility on the perimeter gives the Hokies a clear advantage in the halfcourt. If they can get into their sets early and force Notre Dame to rotate, they’ll find the kind of high-percentage looks that have been missing during their recent skid.
3. Rebounding: Controlling the Glass = Controlling the Game
This one’s going to be a battle. Virginia Tech has been one of the ACC’s best rebounding teams, especially when it comes to securing key boards late in games. But Notre Dame comes into this matchup with slightly better overall rebounding numbers - and they’ve been quietly effective at limiting second-chance opportunities.
The Hokies are more aggressive on the offensive glass, and that could be a difference-maker - especially if they can generate extra possessions in a game where Notre Dame will try to slow things down and shrink the number of total possessions. The return of Antonio Dorn adds some depth and physicality inside for Virginia Tech, and this matchup suits his game well.
Every rebound will matter, especially if Notre Dame succeeds in shortening the game by 10 to 15 possessions. In that kind of environment, one or two extra boards could be the difference between a win and another frustrating loss.
4. Turnovers: Take Care of the Ball, Take Control of the Game
Virginia Tech’s turnover issues early in conference play were a real concern, but the Hokies have started to clean things up in recent games. That trend needs to continue. Notre Dame, meanwhile, has been turnover-prone - and that’s been magnified without Burton running the show.
The key here isn’t just forcing turnovers, though that would certainly help. It’s about the Hokies playing a clean game.
If they can avoid the kind of careless giveaways that plagued them earlier in the season, they’ll put themselves in a strong position to dictate pace and tempo. Possession control is going to be vital in a game where every trip down the floor carries weight.
5. Free Throws: Underrated Factor with Big Implications
Free throw shooting might not be the flashiest stat, but it could quietly be one of the most important factors in this game. Virginia Tech has had some issues closing games at the line, but overall, they’re the better free throw shooting team compared to Notre Dame - who ranks among the worst in the Power Six in that department.
The Hokies also do a better job of getting to the line, averaging over five more attempts per game. That’s a product of their aggressiveness, especially when attacking off the dribble. If they can keep that mindset - get downhill, draw contact, and force Notre Dame into foul trouble - they’ll create chances to build and protect a lead.
Notre Dame will likely try to keep Virginia Tech on the perimeter and away from the stripe. But if the Hokies stay committed to attacking the paint, they could tilt this game in their favor at the line - even if they’re not perfect once they get there.
Final Thought
This is a matchup between two teams trying to right the ship in the middle of a tough season. Virginia Tech has the edge in health and depth, but that won’t matter if they can’t finish strong - something that’s been their Achilles’ heel. Notre Dame is short-handed but scrappy, and if they can control tempo and hit enough threes, they’ll have a shot.
Saturday’s game won’t just be about who plays better - it’ll be about who executes better in the margins: rebounding, turnovers, free throws. And for Virginia Tech, it’s a chance to prove they can close.