February 24, 2026; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Micah Shrewsberry calls the action against the Duke Blue Devils during halftime at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Image Visiting Notre Dame will attempt to keep their ACC tournament hopes alive Saturday at Boston College in the final regular season game for both teams.
Notre Dame (13-17, 4-13) couldn’t afford to falter in Wednesday’s 86-78 loss to Stanford. In addition to beating Boston College (10-20, 3-14 ACC), the Fighting Irish need Syracuse to beat Pittsburgh on Saturday to extend their season.
Defense was an issue against Stanford as the Cardinal shot 57.1% from the field, including 52.2% (12 of 23) from 3-point range.
“For us, you get what you deserve,” Notre Dame coach Micah Shrewsbury said. “When your back is against the wall, you have to come out and be better than that, and we haven’t. … We’re continuing to get opportunities, (but) now we need help from other people.”
Notre Dame will be looking for its first win at home since a 47-40 win at Stanford on Dec. 30.
BC has lost two straight and 10 of its last 11 games. The Eagles have no chance of making the ACC Tournament.
“The only thing I would say to the BC community is we have to keep trying,” Boston College coach Earl Grant said. “We have to adapt to what’s happening in college basketball and continue to try to deliver on our promise. Not to be competitive, but to be very competitive so we can win.”
Most of Boston College’s problems have come on the offensive side of the court this season. The Eagles are last in the ACC in scoring (67.1 ppg), field goal percentage (40.9%) and 3-point field goal percentage (29.7%), but are fifth in points allowed (70.7%).
Notre Dame’s Jalen Haralson is 12th in the ACC averaging 16.0 points per game. Boston College’s Fred Payne is averaging a team-high 15.5 ppg.
When the two teams met on January 24, Notre Dame won 68-64 at home.
