March 03--Notre Dame had its sights on saying hello, bye-bye in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, which begins Tuesday in Washington, D.C.
Had the Irish won their final two regular-season games they would have clinched a double-bye in their quest to defend the title they won last season.
No. 7 Miami, though, had different ideas Wednesday night during a 68-50 victory at Purcell Pavilion.
The Hurricanes led 35-22 by halftime after opening the game on 12-0 run during which the Irish went 0-for-6 from the field.
Angel Rodriguez led the Hurricanes with 19 points and five assists, while Sheldon McClellan added 17 points and six rebounds. Zach Auguste had 18 points and 11 rebounds to lead Notre Dame.
The Hurricanes (24-5, 13-4) defeated the Irish 79-70 on Feb. 3.
The Irish (19-10, 10-7) played at home for the first time since Feb. 13, their longest stretch away from the Joyce Center since the 2007 season. They lost two of three on the road, most recently a 77-56 drubbing at Florida State on Saturday.
Pittsburgh's victory Sunday against Duke had given the Irish new life in their double-bye aspirations.
"Pitt certainly did us a favor," Notre Dame coach Mike Brey said. "It's almost like Saturday is forgiven. You're back to where you were. I love that we've done enough to put ourselves in a position to earn a double-bye."
The loss reopened the door for Duke to put itself in that position.
pskrbina@tribpub.com
