Bracket Projection: Notre Dame
The Irish need to ride their efficient offense to avoid an early exit
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish feature an accomplished big man and a highly efficient offense. Will a St. Patrick's Selection Sunday bring the Irish the luck they need to exorcise their recent NCAA tournament demons?
ESPN Insider has your answers, as Joe Lunardi has enlisted a team of Bracketologists to compile advanced metrics, key scouting intel and best- and worst-case tournament scenarios for all 68 teams, in order to help you make smart picks in your bracket. Plus, as Lunardi fills out his bracket, he'll give you his prediction on how each team will fare.
Lunardi's Logic
The Irish are another dangerous team in the wide open West Region. I could see them losing to Iowa State or winning multiple games. Let's split the difference and put Notre Dame into the third round against Ohio State.Take your pick in that one, although playing in Dayton gives the Buckeyes a significant advantage. But it's another great year for Mike Brey in South Bend.
TOURNEY PROFILE
Best wins: Louisville (5 OT), at Pittsburgh, at Cincinnati
Worst losses: St. Joseph's, at St. John's, at Providence
To read the complete tournament guide preview for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and to gain access to all of ESPN Insider's NCAA tournament coverage, sign up today.
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Insider Tourney Guide

Joe Lunardi and his team of analysts have broken down every NCAA tournament team's strengths, weaknesses and player tendencies.
EAST REGION
- 1. Indiana vs. 16. LIU or James Madison
- 2. Miami vs. 15. Pacific
- 3. Marquette vs. 14. Davidson
- 4. Syracuse vs. 13. Montana
- 5. UNLV vs. 12. California
- 6. Butler vs. 11. Bucknell
- 7. Illinois vs. 10. Colorado
- 8. North Carolina State vs. 9. Temple
MIDWEST REGION
- 1. Louisville vs. 16. Liberty or NC A&T
- 2. Duke vs. 15. Albany
- 3. Michigan State vs. 14. Valparaiso
- 4. Saint Louis vs. 13. New Mexico State
- 5. Oklahoma State vs. 12. Oregon
- 6. Memphis vs. 11. MTSU or St. Mary's
- 7. Creighton vs. 10. Cincinnati
- 8. Colorado State vs. 9. Missouri
SOUTH REGION
- 1. Kansas vs. 16. Western Kentucky
- 2. Georgetown vs. 15. Florida Gulf Coast
- 3. Florida vs. 14. Northwestern State
- 4. Michigan vs. 13. South Dakota State
- 5. VCU vs. 12. Akron
- 6. UCLA vs. 11. Minnesota
- 7. San Diego State vs. 10. Oklahoma
- 8. North Carolina vs. 9. Villanova
WEST REGION
- 1. Gonzaga vs. 16. Southern
- 2. Ohio State vs. 15. Iona
- 3. New Mexico vs. 14. Harvard
- 4. Kansas St. vs. 13. Boise St. or La Salle
- 5. Wisconsin vs. 12. Ole Miss
- 6. Arizona vs. 11. Belmont
- 7. Notre Dame vs. 10. Iowa State
- 8. Pittsburgh vs. 9. Wichita State
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