There has only been one top-10 matchup at Carilion Clinic Court at Cassell Coliseum for either men's or women's basketball programs, with the lone instance coming on Feb. 17, 1996 when the 10th-ranked Hokies played No. 1 UMass in men's basketball.
Sunday will mark just the second time in Cassell and the first time for the women. Don't miss out on the highly-anticipated contest, presented by Real Life Dental, by securing your seats.
Take It All In
A game of this magnitude has not happened in Cassell on the women's side and sets up who has the upper hand in winning the ACC regular-season title. The Fighting Irish (8-1, 0-0 ACC) have yet to play a league game, while the Hokies (10-0, 1-0) earned a road win at Boston College (9-4, 0-1) over a week ago. The two teams are the highest ranked in the conference and are the favorites so far to cut down the nets in Greensboro.
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Here Come the Irish
Notre Dame is coming off of a 64-point win against Merrimack in South Bend on Dec. 10 and enters this matchup well-rested, getting a week off. The Irish have one of the best guards in the nation in Olivia Miles, who was named a preseason All-American, and as a team can get to the rim with ease, ranking No. 1 in free-throw attempts per game (20.7). The group can score in bunches, as well, ranking sixth nationally in scoring offense (88.2 ppg).
Frozen Cassell Night
For families that enjoy the fan-favorite film Frozen, you're not going to want to miss out on this promotion. There will be magical additions to the in-venue experience and a giveaway while supplies last of this snowflake ornament below. Other promotions include it being a faculty/staff game, elementary school day and youth team day, while Dance Tech will conduct a special winter halftime performance.
Something's Got to Give
Tech's defense is one of the best in the nation, holding mid-majors to less than 50 points routinely and even some high-major programs to their season lows. The Hokies rank third nationally in points allowed per game (48.5) and the Irish's defense isn't quite at that level defensively, ranking No. 124 (61.4). Behind a stout defense and an expected big crowd, it should be an electric environment, the 1-2 punch may cause some difficulty for Notre Dame to score.
The Point Guard Matchup
As the aforementioned Miles holds down the point guard spot for the Irish, the Hokies have their own All-America caliber backcourt leader in Georgia Amoore. Amoore, who already made some history this year with the program's first triple-double, is averaging 12.1 points per game and 6.7 assists per game. Miles on the other hand averages 16.0 points per game and 7.2 assists per game. Miles also is a great rebounder, leading her team with 7.8 rebounds a game. The two are in the top three in the ACC for assists per game, and whoever brings their A-game in this one will likely guide their team to victory, as the position is arguably the most influential of any on the court.