The Notre Dame Fighting Irish (13-3, 3-0 ACC) will attempt to lengthen their five-game winning streak against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (8-7, 1-1 ACC) at McCamish Pavilion. Georgia Tech opened as a 1-point favorite, while the games Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 129 points. Action gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 10, 2018, and it can be seen on ESPNU.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Odds Preview
The Fighting Irish barely escaped the Syracuse Orange in their last outing, 51-49. Temple Gibbs was Notre Dame’s leading scorer with 18 points on 6-for-16 shooting. Notre Dame dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.214 (below their season average of 0.282) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 52.5 (above their season average of 27.9). For those same stats, Syracuse recorded marks of 0.109 and 27.6, respectively.
In the Yellow Jackets last matchup, they defeated the Yale Bulldogs, 74-60. Georgia Tech rallied around Jose Alvarado, who was the games high scorer with 23 points on 6-for-12 shooting. Georgia Tech dominated every facet of the game. They had an absurd free throw rate of 0.447 (above their season average of 0.293) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 46.4 (above their season average of 30.5). For those same stats, Yale recorded marks of 0.184 and 27.6, respectively.
Half-court execution will be of utmost importance when two of the NCAA’s slowest-paced teams go head-to-head. Georgia Tech ranks 338th in possessions per game (65.5) and Notre Dame is 311th (67.2). Furthermore, the Fighting Irish’s defense figures to have an advantage in terms of effective field goal percentage. They rank 41st in the NCAA with an opponents effective field goal percentage of 0.462, while the Yellow Jackets offense ranks 309th in effective field goal percentage (0.475).
Of Notre Dame’s 11 games that accepted bets, six have finished over the projected point total, while 7 of Georgia Tech’s 11 games have finished under the projected point total. The Fighting Irish have the substantial advantage straight up (SU) (13-3 vs. 8-7), but the Yellow Jackets have the better against the spread (ATS) record (6-5 vs. 6-5).
Rex Pflueger has been playing at a high level over the last five games for Notre Dame, averaging 11.8 points, 3.6 assists and 1.2 steals per game.
These teams have already met once this season. In that game, the two teams combined for 127 points, which was under the projected point total of 139. The Fighting Irish won 68-59, but were unable to cover as 14-point favorites. The Fighting Irish dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a great free throw rate of 0.250 and an extraordinary offensive rebounding percentage of 34.2. For those same stats, the Yellow Jackets were 0.117 and 22.0, respectively. Bonzie Colson put up a double-double in the victory with 22 points and 17 rebounds.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets ATS Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Notre Dame, ATS Winner – Notre Dame, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Yellow Jackets rank 25th in blocks per game (5.3) while the Fighting Irish rank 62nd in blocks allowed per game (3.1).
- Notre Dame is 5-2 ATS on the road, while Georgia Tech is 4-3 ATS at home.
- The total has gone under in 4 of the Yellow Jackets 7 home games, while 4 of the Fighting Irish’s 7 road games have gone under.
- Notre Dame ranks 166th in three pointers attempted per game (20.8) while Georgia Tech ranks 260th (14.7).
- The Fighting Irish rank 102nd in assists per game (14.4) while the Yellow Jackets rank 157th in assists allowed per game (14.3).
- Notre Dame ranks 23rd in steals allowed per game (5.0) while Georgia Tech ranks 65th (5.8).
Betting Trends:
- Georgia Tech is 3-1 ATS with 3 unders and 1 over in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Notre Dame is 2-2 ATS with 2 overs and 2 unders.
- The Yellow Jackets average margin of victory in their last five games has been 5.0, up from 2.9 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Fighting Irish have scored an average of 78.0 points per game (1.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 60.6 points per game (3.5 below their season average).
