Notre Dame vs North Carolina Picks and Prediction – 3/12/2025

Notre Dame enters this ACC Tournament second-round matchup at 15-17, coming off a nail-biting 55-54 win over Pittsburgh. The Fighting Irish have won three straight, including a marathon four-overtime victory over California. North Carolina, at 20-12, lost its regular-season finale 76-74 but remains one of the top offensive teams in the conference. Slam dunk your bets with our College Basketball picks.

Notre Dame has found momentum at the right time, led by Markus Burton, who is averaging 22.2 points per game on 45.2% shooting. The Fighting Irish offense has been inconsistent but averages 73.7 points per game while shooting 45.7% from the field. The team struggles with ball movement, recording just 11.6 assists per game. Burton also leads the team in assists with 3.1 per game, while Kebba Njie controls the glass with 5.9 rebounds per contest.

Defensively, Notre Dame has held opponents to 73.0 points per game, a respectable mark given its struggles earlier in the season. The Irish lack rim protection, averaging just 1.7 blocks per game, and they also generate few steals at 5.5 per contest. Njie leads with 0.6 blocks per game, while Burton adds 1.5 steals. Defensive improvement will be key against a North Carolina team that scores over 80 points per game.

North Carolina’s offense has been dynamic, averaging 81.7 points per game while shooting 48.0% from the field. RJ Davis leads the Tar Heels with 17.3 points per game, while Elliot Cadeau is the playmaker with 6.0 assists per contest. The team moves the ball well, averaging 14.7 assists per game, and has solid rebounding from Seth Trimble, who grabs 5.2 per game.

Defensively, North Carolina gives up 76.1 points per game but has an advantage inside with 3.7 blocks per contest. Jae’Lyn Washington leads with 0.9 blocks per game, while Trimble adds 1.4 steals. The Tar Heels have had defensive lapses but should be able to contain Notre Dame’s inconsistent offense.

North Carolina’s offensive firepower should be too much for Notre Dame to handle. The Fighting Irish have been competitive, but they lack the scoring depth to keep up with the Tar Heels. North Carolina also holds the edge in rebounding and playmaking, which should lead to extra possessions and quality shots. Expect the Tar Heels to pull away in the second half. Final Score Prediction: North Carolina wins 82-71.