Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs Stanford Cardinal Picks and Predictions March 5th 2025

Stanford Seeks Road Redemption, Notre Dame Aims for Consistency

As the ACC regular season nears its conclusion, Stanford (19-10, 11-7 ACC) looks to continue its winning ways, while Notre Dame (12-17, 6-12 ACC) hopes to find stability. The two teams meet Wednesday night in South Bend, Ind., in a contest featuring the ACC’s top scorers: Maxime Raynaud (Stanford, 20.2 PPG) and Markus Burton (Notre Dame, 21.1 PPG).

Stanford rides a three-game home winning streak but faces a challenge away from Maples Pavilion, having lost three straight road games. Meanwhile, Notre Dame has been inconsistent at home (4-4 in ACC play) and continues to search for a late-season spark.

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Stanford’s Strength at Home, Struggles on the Road

Stanford has been impressive in its first season in the ACC, securing its first winning season since 2020-21 under head coach Kyle Smith. The Cardinal are dominant at home (9-1), as seen in their 73-68 win over SMU on Saturday, but their 2-6 ACC road record raises concerns.

A major factor in Stanford’s success is senior forward Maxime Raynaud, who averages 20.2 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. He has been dominant at home (23 PPG in Stanford’s last three wins) but has struggled in recent road games (15 PPG in the last three losses).

Stanford’s defensive inconsistency on the road is a key issue. While they allow just 64.8 points per game at home, that number jumps to 81.4 on the road—a glaring vulnerability heading into South Bend.

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Notre Dame’s Search for Stability

Notre Dame has shown flashes of potential but remains inconsistent under first-year head coach Micah Shrewsberry. The Fighting Irish snapped a three-game home losing streak with a 76-72 win over Pitt (Feb. 22) but have since suffered road losses to Clemson and Wake Forest.

One constant for Notre Dame has been sophomore guard Markus Burton, the ACC’s leading scorer (21.1 PPG). He has been in excellent form, scoring 59 points in his last two games, including a 29-point performance on 9-for-16 shooting in a narrow 74-71 loss to Wake Forest.

Coach Micah Shrewsberry praised Burton’s effort:
“He’s been pretty consistent with what he’s doing. He’s ready to go for the next practice, and the next game, and keep fighting, keep competing.”

Key Matchups & Game Outlook

1. Maxime Raynaud vs. Notre Dame’s Defense

Can the Irish contain Raynaud, especially given his drop in production on the road? If he dominates inside, Stanford gains a major advantage.

2. Markus Burton vs. Stanford’s Perimeter Defense

Stanford has struggled defensively on the road. If Burton finds his rhythm, he could take over the game and give Notre Dame a crucial edge.

3. Stanford’s Road Defense vs. Notre Dame’s Shooting

Stanford’s road struggles have been defensive. If Notre Dame exploits this weakness, they could control the game’s tempo.

Prediction & Implications

This game presents a contrast between Stanford’s offensive efficiency and road struggles versus Notre Dame’s inconsistency but home-court potential.

• If Stanford’s defense travels well, they could secure their first 20-win season in over a decade.
• If Burton leads Notre Dame to an offensive breakout, the Irish could end their season on a strong note.

Expect a high-scoring affair, with both teams leaning on their stars. This ACC showdown will likely come down to which team executes better in the final minutes.

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Final Thoughts

Stanford aims to prove it can win on the road, while Notre Dame looks to defend home court and showcase its future under Burton and Shrewsberry. With two of the ACC’s top scorers set to battle, expect an exciting clash in South Bend.