There have been countless games canceled on today’s college basketball slate. But with 15 games still on the schedule, it could always be worse. We’re just lucky to have college basketball and a couple of really exciting games on the slate.
The most exciting game will be the Notre Dame Fighting Irish against the Pittsburgh Panthers in an ACC conference matchup.
Both of these two teams are currently 0-1 in the ACC and now each will look for their first win in conference play this season. Notre Dame and Pittsburgh are completely opposite teams, which should make for an intriguing matchup.
Here are our picks and predictions for the ACC game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Pittsburgh Panthers on the ACC Network at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Notre Dame vs Pittsburgh odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
Notre Dame opened as a -4 favorite and has now dipped to a -3.5 point favorite at most books. Meanwhile, the total opened as 129 and is currently sitting as low as 126 at some outlets.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until tip-off and be sure to check out the full college basketball odds before placing your bets.
Notre Dame vs Pittsburgh predictions
Predictions made on 12/28/2021 at 8:30 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Notre Dame vs Pittsburgh game info
• Location: Petersen Events Center, Pittsburgh, PA
• Date: Tuesday, December 28, 2021
• Tip-off: 8:00 p.m. ET
• TV: ACC Network
Notre Dame at Pittsburgh betting preview
Injuries
Notre Dame: Trey Wertz G (Questionable), Robert Carmody G (Out).
Pittsburgh: Ithiel Horton G (Out), Nike Sibande G (Out).
Find our latest NCAA basketball injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Over is 8-2 in Fighting Irish's last 10 road games vs. teams with losing home records. Find more NCAA betting trends for Notre Dame vs. Pittsburgh.
Notre Dame vs Pittsburgh picks and predictions
Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.
Spread analysis
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish can be a lethal offense at times. Notre Dame is scoring over 70 points per game on the year while allowing 65.3 points per game.
The Fighting Irish will limit turnovers as they’ve turned the ball over just 16.7% of the time this season. They’ve also shot 33.6% from long range and 51% from inside the arc while also hitting 76.5% from the foul line.
Notre Dame won’t get to the line at a high rate, but when they do, you can be confident that the Fighting Irish will knock them down.
Defensively, the Fighting Irish have been awful defending the three, allowing teams to shoot 37.6%. Opponents are also shooting 48.5% from inside the arc. However, Notre Dame has been lucky as opponents have shot just 62.5% from the foul line against them this season. That’s ultimately going to change down the line as they face ACC opponents the rest of the season.
Pittsburgh isn’t elite on the offensive end by any stretch of the imagination. The Panthers are shooting a 45% effective field goal percentage while shooting just 29.3% from long range and 45.5% from inside the arc. Like all teams Notre Dame has faced, Pittsburgh also struggles at the line, despite getting there at a rapid pace.
25% of points scored for Pittsburgh come from the line and that likely won’t change in tonight’s game. Pittsburgh will get to the line more and more than likely win the rebounding battle. The Panthers are earning 34.1% offensive rebounds this season and should end up with more second-chance points in comparison to Notre Dame.
Therefore, I’ll take Pittsburgh as the home dog in this one.
Prediction: Pittsburgh +3.5 (-110)
Over/Under analysis
The total dipped from 129 to as low as 126 at some outlets. At this point, it’s time to take the Over. Again, Notre Dame shoots a surplus of three-point shots and has made 33.6% of them this season.
The Fighting Irish have also nailed 76.5% of foul shots and have limited turnovers. The more attempts, the better for the Over.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh isn’t shooting the ball at a high rate, but they do the little things well, like earning offensive rebounds and getting to the line. Despite shooting a low percentage at the line, Pittsburgh will get points on the board with the clock stopped. At home, they’ll likely shoot better, especially from long range where Notre Dame has allowed opponents to shoot 37.6% percent of the season. Back this game to go Over the total.
Prediction: Over 126 (-120)
Best bet
I’ll ride the Over here as my best bet. Neither team moves all that fast on the offensive end, but Notre Dame is still averaging 70 points while allowing 65.3 points per game.
If Pittsburgh just gets a couple of more solid looks from long range, that could be the difference. At home, I like Pittsburgh to stay competitive with Notre Dame. For that to happen, the Panthers will have to score in bunches.
Pick: Over 126 (-120)
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