Virginia Tech’s Jonathan Kabongo, left, grabs the ball as Notre Dame’s John Mooney, right, attempts a shot. (Robert Franklin)
Virginia Tech’s Jonathan Kabongo, left, grabs the ball as Notre Dame’s John Mooney, right, attempts a shot. (Robert Franklin) Associated Press
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Eckel on the ACC: Irish looking for a fight against the ‘Noles

Mark Eckel

There’s only one game in the ACC Monday night. So all of our focus is on the Seminoles and the Fighting Irish.

Notre Dame (+12) at FLORIDA STATE, 7 p.m.
The Pick: Florida State (-12)

Florida State (21-6) saw its eight-game winning streak come to an end at the Dean Dome, Saturday night and now the Seminoles return home — where they are 12-1 — ready to start another win streak.

After three tough road games, the ‘Noles are back in Tallahassee to take on a Notre Dame team having one of its worst seasons in years. The Irish (13-14) just haven’t been able to sustain any kind of momentum this season and while they’re a game under .500 overall, they are an even more dismal 10-17 against the spread this season. They are also 1-6 on the road this year and 0-7 against teams ranked in the top 25. Florida State was 18th in the latest poll.

Even though the number is a little high, Florida State should feel good about being back home (where it hasn’t lost since an 80-78 setback to Duke, their only home loss of the season) and should cruise past the overmatched Irish.

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