Virginia Tech-Notre Dame Women's basketball preview

Topher Wagner

December 17, 2020

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Virginia Tech has started this season on a hot streak, winning their first six games including last week’s ACC opener over Pittsburgh.

Currently receiving votes in the AP Top 25 poll, a few more wins for the Hokies could propel them to a national ranking.

Tech travels to South Bend on Thursday for its first road game of the season, against Notre Dame. The Hokies had a brief scare last week, trailing Pitt by eight points at the half before a dominant fourth quarter led to a blowout win.

Dominant sophomore Elizabeth Kitley is averaging 18 points and nearly 13 rebounds per game. The emergence of Cayla King also cannot be overstated as the sharpshooter dropped 29 points on a whopping seven three-pointers to fuel Tech’s comeback against Pittsburgh. King will look to find more success against a Notre Dame squad that has been susceptible on defense to three-point shooting this year.

The Fighting Irish have had a difficult start to the year and currently sit at 2-3 after losing handily against Georgia Tech. Despite the slow start, there is reason for optimism as Notre Dame has a fairly young roster, led by freshman Maddy Westbeld.

The 6’3 forward has had a fantastic start to her Notre Dame career as she leads the team in both scoring and rebounding. Coming off of a 21-point performance against Georgia Tech, she’ll need to continue her dominance if the Irish look to upset Virginia Tech. The battle from beyond the arc should also play a large part in this one, as Notre Dame is coming off a contest where it allowed Georgia Tech to shoot nearly 53% from deep.

Historically, Virginia Tech has struggled against Notre Dame, winning just two out of thirteen games all time against the Irish. However, the Hokies won for the first time ever in South Bend last season and look to build off of that victory in this early season matchup.

It will also be the first contest between the two rivals since junior Dara Mabrey transferred from Blacksburg to Notre Dame in the offseason.

Virginia Tech Key to the Game: Dominate from Beyond the Arc

The Hokies’ offense has produced at a very impressive clip this year, with much of their success coming from a stellar three-point attack. The Hokies make nearly 12 three-pointers per game on 42% shooting and will look to continue this sharpshooting against a Notre Dame team that just allowed 10 threes versus Georgia Tech.

Notre Dame Key to the Game: Learn to Close Out Games

The Irish have had a tough go of it so far this season as they have been outscored in the fourth quarter in three out of their five games. On top of that, the Irish’s scoring margin against opponents is just .2.

In order to pull off this upset and get in the win column in ACC play, Notre Dame must finish strong as they face a Hokies team that outscored Pittsburgh by 17 in the final frame last week.

Virginia Tech Player to Watch: Cayla King

Cayla King’s career day against Pittsburgh was invigorating for a Hokies squad that trailed for most of the game. Her play could end up being a huge factor once again versus Notre Dame.

Despite being fourth on the team in scoring, her 19 three-pointers are second on the team behind only star Aisha Sheppard and if she can continue to produce at her 50% shooting clip from beyond the arc, the Irish will be hard pressed to keep up in this one.

Notre Dame Player to Watch: Maddy Westbeld

As previously mentioned, freshman forward Maddy Westbeld has been an absolute beast so far this year for the Irish. She’s produced extensively on the offensive side of the ball and is also the team’s leading rebounder with seven boards a game. Facing fellow ACC star Elizabeth Kitley, Westbeld is going to have to continue to win her rebounding battles versus one of the ACC’s best for Notre Dame to have a shot in this one.

Score Prediction: Virginia Tech 80, Notre Dame 62

Notre Dame has struggled early this year and still doesn't look to be clicking as they round into ACC play. Unfortunately, there will be no break for the Irish on Thursday as they face a Virginia Tech team that is scoring 84 points per game and routinely blowing out their opponents by an average of nearly 25 points per game.

The Irish are a young team with a lot of potential, but the Hokies have proven early this year that they just have too many consistent shooters to slow down with five players averaging double figures. Notre Dame has struggled at times to defend the three ball this year, which is the Hokies’ main strength. Early on this may be close, but the Hokies firepower will prove to be too much as they hang on to win 80-62.