For the first time this season, Notre Dame is bringing a winning streak into a game. The Irish (5-8, 2-5) are coming off back-to-back wins over Boston College and Miami, both of which are below the Irish in the ACC standings. That streak will be challenged with No. 20 Virginia Tech coming to South Bend on Wednesday. The Hokies (11-3, 5-2) will look to get back on the right track after a loss to Syracuse cost them four spots in the rankings.
Nate Laszewski is coming off his second double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 rebounds. His second straight game shooting 7 of 10 from the field greatly improved his nation-leading .765 effective field-goal percentage and ACC-leading 64.6 percent from the field. The Hokies know he’ll play a factor no matter what. When these teams last met Jan. 10, he made a season-high 11 free throws while being shut out from behind the 3-point line for the first and only time this season.