A high-stakes ACC women's basketball clash unfolds as Notre Dame hosts Duke on Monday night, with both teams eyeing crucial conference standings implications.
The ACC women's basketball landscape is set for a shake-up as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (22-2, 13-0 ACC) welcome the Duke Blue Devils (20-5, 11-2 ACC) to Purcell Pavilion. Notre Dame, riding a 17-game winning streak, looks to maintain their perfect conference record and home court dominance. Duke, meanwhile, eyes an opportunity to ascend in the ACC standings following NC State's recent setback.
Notre Dame's success stems from their dynamic backcourt pairing of Hannah Hidalgo and Olivia Miles. Hidalgo, in particular, has been a standout, averaging an impressive 25.2 points per game while shooting 49.0% from the field and 42.1% from beyond the arc. Her defensive prowess is equally noteworthy, leading the ACC with 4.1 steals per game.
For Duke, freshman forward Toby Fournier has emerged as a key player despite coming off the bench. Leading the team in scoring with 13.5 points per game in under 20 minutes of play, Fournier's recent form includes four consecutive double-digit scoring performances.
The betting lines reflect Notre Dame's favored status, with DraftKings Sportsbook setting the spread at -8.5 for the Fighting Irish. The total is set at 139.5, suggesting oddsmakers anticipate a high-scoring affair.
Notre Dame's offensive firepower is particularly noteworthy. Ranked second in field goal percentage and first in three-point percentage nationally, they present a formidable challenge for Duke's defense. The Blue Devils, while solid offensively (ranking 37th in points per game), face an uphill battle against a Notre Dame team boasting an average victory margin of nearly 30 points this season.
As the teams prepare to tip off at 6:00 p.m. EST, all eyes will be on whether Duke can disrupt Notre Dame's rhythm and secure a crucial road win, or if the Fighting Irish will continue their dominant run through the ACC.
