Why Notre Dame women's basketball at Georgia Tech means a lot to Irish

Almost every meaningful metric between Notre Dame and Georgia Tech is identical.

The overall records? Both 19-6. The ACC records? Both 10-4. Even the respective NET Rankings are as close as they could possibly be; Notre Dame, No. 20. Georgia Tech, No. 21. Something has to give Thursday night.

So much is on the line for the Fighting Irish when they take on the Yellow Jackets at 8 p.m. ET on ACC Network. Most notably, the possibility to host the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament as a No. 4 seed. Alive but fading. Back-to-back losses for the first time this season would lessen the odds of that scenario playing out in the Irish’s favor.

There’s a bracket head coach Niele Ivey and company must focus on before the big dance. The ACC Tournament isn’t a throwaway exhibition for teams like Notre Dame whose goal is to win it all. The Irish have claimed the conference title crown five times since 2014. They certainly won’t be a favorite to make it six, but securing a double-bye would go a long way in increasing the odds.

The winner of Thursday’s game claims one of four double-byes for the time being.

Men’s basketball

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Notre Dame might not have these goals on its radar going into the season. But now that March is right around the corner and the Irish have put themselves in a position to play for them, they’re absolutely worth gunning for. The Irish finished last season 10-10 with an 8-7 conference record. They’d have to lose three of their last four regular season ACC games to match that loss total, and they’ve already exceeded the win total by two.

Still, so much can change in the next week and a half.

Earlier this month, Notre Dame seemed like a surefire bet to slide into both a top-four NCAA Tournament seed and a double-bye in the ACC Tournament. Thursday’s game at Georgia Tech and a season finale at home against a Louisville team that beat the Irish by 26 points earlier this week could prevent Notre Dame from attaining both of those potential season-defining postseason accolades.

A win over one of those teams may keep both within reach, meanwhile. That’s the fickle nature of what the Irish are facing between now and tournament time. The only way to control destiny is by winning. Losing leaves everything up to committees and chance; resolutions beyond the blue and gold’s control.

Notre Dame has already shown it can beat top-five teams at home. The Irish have shown they can beat anyone at home; they’re 12-0 inside Purcell Pavilion. Wins have been harder to come by away from home; they’re 7-6 on the road or in neutral arenas.

Still, Notre Dame’s chances of beating Georgia Tech on the road are probably better than beating Louisville in South Bend. It’s going to take strong efforts from all five starters and a healthy Sam Brunelle to get it done. Brunelle injured her shoulder Sunday at Louisville. With her, the Irish have a chance. Without her, an already shorthanded Notre Dame is in trouble.

And those lofty postseason aspirations take a lofty hit if so.

PREVIEW: No. 19 Notre Dame (19-6, 10-4 ACC) at No. 16 Georgia Tech (19-6, 10-4)

When: Thursday, Feb. 17 at 8 p.m. ET

Where: McCamish Pavilion (Atlanta, Ga.)

TV: ACC Network

NET rankings: Notre Dame 20, Georgia Tech 21

Last meeting: Notre Dame won 69-67 on Jan. 3, 2021 in South Bend, Ind.

Series history: Notre Dame leads 14-1

Notes on Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets are coached by former USA Basketball head coach and Olympic Gold Medalist Nell Fortner … Georgia Tech is led by a pair of post players; junior center Nerea Hermosa averages a team-high 11.5 points while senior forward Lorela Cubaj averages 10.9 points and a team-high 11.2 rebounds … Georgia Tech ranks No. 13 out of 15 ACC teams in points per game (62.5) … Georgia Tech ranks No. 1 in the ACC in points against per game (50.1).