Saturday, March 31, 2018

SEC Network: Preview of Miss State vs. ND



Mississippi State vs. Notre Dame -- Easter Sunday at 6 PM ET on ESPN -- for the National Championship!

Full Replay: Notre Dame's OT Win Over UCONN


ESPN Broadcast Crew's OT Call at Game's End

Please watch Rebecca Lobo's reaction -- the woman sitting on the left -- she is a Hall of Famer who played for Auriemma at UCONN...

You couldn't have three more different reactions... 

Loved Adam Amin's (on the right) excitement -- and him leaning on Kara Lawson's shoulder at the end.

What a game...


National Sports Writer Takes Jab at Auriemma


Dan Shaughnessy, a sports writer with the Boston Globe, is taking some heat over this tweet after Notre Dame's 91 - 89 OT win over UCONN last night...

LINK:  TWEET STORM

Photo Gallery: ND's OT Win Over UCONN


Thought you'd enjoy perusing these photos...

LINK:  PHOTO GALLERY

Notre Dame's Locker Room Celebration!



ESPN Game Highlights -- ND's OT Thriller!


Kobe Bryant's Tweet About Arike's Big Shot!

The "icing" on the cake for Arike Obunbowale...


Floor Level Camera of Arike's Game Winner!



Notre Dame Plays for a National Championship!



The Mississippi State vs. Notre Dame National Championship game is at 6 PM ET on Easter Sunday on ESPN.

GO IRISH!!!

The Media's Take on Notre Dame's OT Win!


Took a lap around the worldwide web this morning to see what the media had to say about Notre Dame's OT win over UCONN last night in their Final Four game in Columbus...

ENJOY!

LINK:  HARTFORD COURANT

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  ESPN

LINK:  USA TODAY

LINK:  SPORTING NEWS

LINK:  SPORTS ILLUSTRATED 

LINK:  WNDU-TV 

LINK:  ABC57

Muffet's "One-on-One" Interview After OT Win!


ESPN's Interview of Muffet After OT Win!!!


Post Game Pressers: UCONN & Notre Dame



Notre Dame's presser starts at the 12:50 mark...

Geno Auriemma Talks OT Loss to Notre Dame


TITANIC! -- Notre Dame's OT Win Over UCONN!



Big Time Highlights From Notre Dame's OT Win!


ESPN Interview -- Arike Ogunbowale


What Though The Odds... WOW, WOW, WOW!


Arike's game winner in OT sends Notre Dame on to the National Championship game on Sunday!

Notre Dame is now 4 - 3 LIFETIME vs. UCONN in the Final Four!

GO IRISH!

Friday, March 30, 2018

What Though The Odds Be Great or Small...


Muffet's Fighting Irish will play undefeated UCONN tonight in a National Semi-Final game...

The game will be televised on ESPN2 at 9:30 PM ET.

Go IRISH!

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Notre Dame & Oregon's Post Game Pressers



Video starts at 10:57 mark with Oregon...

Notre Dame starts at the 30:41 mark...

Offensive Assistants Talk With Media Today




Brey Recruit is 3-Point National Champion!!!

Nate Laszewski, a 6'-9" small forward -- just minutes ago won the High School Slam 3-Point National Championship!

He'll be wearing the "gold and blue" this next season in South Bend!

Here's who he was competing with...


The 3-Point Championship will be televised this Sunday, April 1st on CBS at 3:30 PM ET.

Monday, March 26, 2018

Muffet's IRISH Celebrate Another Final Four!!!



A season that could have / should have -- been over in January -- is still alive!  

It's on to the FINAL FOUR for Notre Dame!

ND vs. UCONN -- We Led by 11 in 4th Quarter...




The Fighting Irish traveled to Storrs, CT back in December to play UCONN -- Notre Dame led by eleven points in the 4th quarter...

Wouldn't want to play anyone else in the FINAL FOUR.

See you Good Friday.

Four ACL's No Worries -- FINAL FOUR BOUND!


What though the odds be great or small...

WOW!!!

What a gut check win -- what a gut check season!!!

Bring on UCONN...

ND vs. Oregon on ESPN Tonight at 9 PM ET



The game will be televised on ESPN beginning at 9 PM ET.  

This is going to be a very tough opponent for the Fighting Irish.  We will have to be at our best on "both" ends of the court tonight.

The winner advances to the FINAL FOUR in Columbus to play that school in Storrs, CT.

GO IRISH!

Sunday, March 25, 2018

OT: The National Champs Return Home to FSU!



The first time a team has returned to the Ferris State University campus (Big Rapids, MI) as a NATIONAL CHAMPION -- in the school's 134 year history!

A university known best for its Pharmacy and Optometry schools -- can now call itself a National Champion!

Congrats from a very proud alum!

Notre Dame Fencing -- National Champs Again!



This is national championship #10 for Notre Dame Fencing -- LEGENDARY!!!

Photo above -- the moment Notre Dame clinched the National Championship!

Replay: ND Scores With 27 Seconds Left!!!



Notre Dame Football -- Saturday Media Session






Hey Frozen Four -- Make Room for the IRISH!



Notre Dame Hockey is heading back to the Frozen Four -- and this time...

This is going to be our year!!!

Saturday, March 24, 2018

OT: Ferris State Bulldogs NATIONAL CHAMPS!


 
The Ferris State Bulldogs -- my alma mater -- won its first ever National Championship in the school's 134 year history!

LINK:  VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

Notre Dame Advances to NCAA Elite Eight




Notre Dame overcame a huge free throw differential -- Texas A&M took 20 free throws to the Irish's 4 (until 30 seconds in the game) -- yet Muffet's crew advances!!!

The Fighting Irish play the winner of the Oregon vs. Central Michigan game on Monday night.

Notre Dame Plays for Ticket to the Frozen Four!



Jeff Jackson's Fighting Irish take on Providence today at 6 PM ET on ESPNU in the NCAA Regional Final -- with the winner advancing to next weekend's Frozen Four!

Notre Dame beat Michigan Tech yesterday -- in OT -- to advance to today's game.


LINK:  TOURNAMENT CENTRAL

Muffet's Irish Play Sweet Sixteen Game Today!



Notre Dame plays Texas A&M in Spokane today at 4 PM ET in a NCAA Tournament game on ESPN.

A&M has the top freshman in America -- Chennedy Carter.

OT: My Alma Mater Playing for a National Title!



The Ferris State Bulldogs, 37 - 1 on the season -- play the "home team" Northern State University (Aberdeen, SD) today in Sioux Falls, SD for their first National Championship!

The game begins at 3 PM ET and will be televised on the CBS.

GO BULLDOGS!

Thursday, March 22, 2018

The Honors Keep Piling Up for Brey's Recruits!


Mike Brey has his most highly regarded recruiting class of all-time enrolling this summer at the University of Notre Dame.  The 11th ranked class in the country is piling up the accolades:

From l to r:  Nate Laszewski, Pretiss Hubb, Mike Brey, Dane Goodwin ad Robby Carmody -- missing from the photo is Chris Doherty.

LINK:  OHIO'S MR. BASKETBALL

LINK:  GATORADE PLAYER OF THE YEAR FOR PENNSYLVANIA

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Grotto Network: A Wonderful Notre Dame Story



I've known this young man since he arrived at campus in the Fall of 2016 -- he's one of my all-time favorite Notre Dame students...

Sunday, March 18, 2018

A Tale of Two Halfs -- the SECOND was Better



Tied 45 - 45 at the half -- Muffet's Fighting Irish pull away to win 98 - 72.  

Notre Dame travels to Spokane, WA to play a very tough Texas A&M club next Saturday.

Notre Dame Hockey Receives a #1 NCAA Seed


Notre Dame will play in the East Regional in Bridgeport, CT and will play the Michigan Tech Huskies on Saturday, March 24th.  Win and they'll advance to play the winner of Providence vs. Clarkson.

Notre Dame's game vs. Michigan Tech will be televised on ESPN2 at 3 PM ET this Friday.


The other #1 seeds;  Cornell, Ohio State and St. Cloud State.

Sixteen Teams make the NCAA Tournament -- see link below for the bracket...

LINK:  NCAA HOCKEY TOURNAMENT BRACKET

OT: Scenes Like This -- Get Me Every Time...



Muffet's "Not-Injured" vs. "Injured" Irish


Let's first make the assumption that Kat Westbeld can't play tonight, in Notre Dame's 2nd Round NCAA Tournament game against Villanova, because of her injured ankle -- leaving Muffet with six healthy scholarship players and five injured scholarship players...

Both of these TEAMS would probably be a top 10 ranked team -- think about that!!!

"NOT-INJURED" IRISH -- a #1 NCAA SEED:
  • Jackie Young
  • Arike Ogunbowale
  • Marina Mabrey
  • Jessica Shepard
  • Kristina Nelson
  • Danielle Patterson

 INJURED IRISH -- probably a #2 NCAA SEED:
  • Brianna Turner
  • Lili Thompson
  • Mychal Johnson
  • Makayla Vaughn
  • Katherine Westbeld

Villanova vs. Notre Dame on ESPN at 7 PM ET



Here's what the media has to say about tonight's NCAA 2nd Round game...

LINK:  WASHINGTON POST STORY

LINK:  PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

Up Next for Muffet's Fighting Irish -- Villanova



Villanova beat South Dakota State in OT at Purcell Pavilion Friday night -- here's what they had to say about their big win!

Notre Dame's OT Win -- Post Game Reaction


Big Ten Champs -- Post Game Media Session


Saturday, March 17, 2018

Replay of Big Ten Tournament Title WINNER!!!






ND Has Never Lost a Big Ten Championship!



Highlights of Notre Dame's OT win over Ohio State! 


FACT: The University of Notre Dame has won every Big Ten Championship it's ever played for. 

BIG TEN HOCKEY TOURNAMENT CHAMPS!!!

Way to go IRISH!!!

WIN 3-2 IN OVERTIME over Ohio State!!!

Notre Dame has now done something that Michigan, Ohio State, Michigan State, Wisconsin and Penn State has never done in Big Ten history --- winning both the "Regular Season and Tournament" championships in the same season!


Brey Talks About the End to a Tough Season...


Ohio State Talks Game Against Notre Dame

A "Wearin' of the Green" Today for Notre Dame!

Notre Dame's Men's Basketball plays Penn State in the NIT today at NOON ET on ESPN.
#4 Notre Dame Men's Lacrosse plays #9 Virginia in a huge ACC Game tonight at 6 PM ET on ESPNU.

#3 Notre Dame Hockey plays #4 Ohio State for the Big Ten Hockey Tournament Championship tonight at 8 PM ET on the Big Ten Network.

Notre Dame Baseball Beats #7 Florida State



Muffet's Irish Start Off NCAA Run On Offense


Happy Saint Patrick's Day from Notre Dame!




Friday, March 16, 2018

The Road to the Final Four Begins: 5 PM ET


Notre Dame's game with California State University Northridge -- tips off at 5:00 PM ET on ESPN2.

Thursday, March 15, 2018

OT: I Now Have a Favorite NUN of All-Time!



I wonder if she roots for the Fighting Irish as well?

You must read this New York Times story on Sister Jean...

LINK:  NEW YORK TIMES STORY

Next Up: Penn State Visits Notre Dame in NIT



I believe this will be the first time Penn State has ever played a basketball game at Notre Dame.  Tickets are $10 for the Saturday NOON ET tip-off.

Muffet & Players -- NCAA Press Conference


Tuesday, March 13, 2018

OT: A Hot Young Basketball Coaching Prospect



His name is Andy Bronkema, he's 34 years-old -- and he's led the Ferris State Bulldogs to four straight GLIAC Tournament Championships and a #2 ranking in the country this year in NCAA Division II -- in his five years as their head coach.

His Bulldogs are now 35 - 1 after winning the school's second NCAA Regional Championship in history and a trip this Tuesday to Sioux Falls, SD for the NCAA Division II Elite Eight.

In Bronkema's five seasons as head coach -- Ferris State has accomplished this:
  • 17/18 Season:  35 - 1
  • 16/17 Season:  28 - 5
  • 15/16 Season:  24 - 10
  • 14/15 Season:  23 - 9
  • 13/14 Season:  10 - 16

OT: Ferris State Bulldogs are Regional Champs!


My alma mater -- Ferris State University -- won their second NCAA Regional Championship in school history tonight with an 80 - 65 win over Ashland University!

The win sends the Bulldogs off to Sioux Falls, SD for a NCAA Division II Elite Eight game on Tuesday.

The #2 ranked Ferris State Bulldogs are now 35 - 1 on the season.

GO DAWGS!



 

Notre Dame's NIT Game on ESPN2 @ 9 PM ET


The road to Madison Square Garden begins tonight!

LINK:  NEWS STORY

Monday, March 12, 2018

Muffet's Irish a #1 Seed in NCAA Tournament!



The Fighting Irish just learned they're playing in the Spokane Region against CSU Northridge here at 5 PM ET Purcell Pavilion on Friday night!

This is the 8th time in program history that we've been a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament -- and, that's SEVEN STRAIGHT!!!

Keep winning and Notre Dame plays UCONN in the Semi-Finals in Columbus, OH.

Go Irish!

Sunday, March 11, 2018

Brey, Colson and Farrell Talk NCAA / NIT





Here's hoping the Fighting Irish can get motivated to play in the NIT!

Videos courtesy of my good friends at Irish Sports Daily -- you can subscribe HERE.

ND vs. Hampton / Common Opponent: Virginia



The Hampton Pirates played Virginia back on December 22nd losing 82 - 48.  Here's what we know about the Pirates:

LEADING SCORERS:

STARTING LINE-UP:
  • Jermaine Marrow -- 6'-0"
  • Malique Trent-Smith -- 6'-2"
  • Kalin Fisher:  6'-2"
  • Akim Mitchell:  6'-5"
  • Trevon Barnes:  6'-9"

RECORD:  19 - 15

FOUNDED:  1868

MASCOT:  PIRATES


ENROLLMENT:  4,619 students -- 3,793 undergrad / 826 grad students

MALE / FEMALE:  33% / 67%

Muffet Named by ESPNW -- National COY!


It's the second National Coach of the Year Award for Notre Dame's Muffet McGraw in the past week!

LINK:  NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR

2018 NIT -- Notre Dame's Road to NIT Final


To enlarge the 2018 NIT Bracket -- just click on the image above.
 
The Fighting Irish will host Hampton, Tuesday night at 9 PM ET in their NIT First Round game.  The winner of this game will play the winner of Temple vs. Penn State.

The other four teams in this bracket;  Harvard, Oregon, Rider and Marquette.

If the #1 seeds hold up -- Notre Dame would play Baylor on March 27th in Madison Square Garden.

LINK:  TICKET INFORMATION 

LINK:  DOWNLOADABLE -- 2018 NIT BRACKET

2018 NIT Final Four at Madison Square Garden


If you're feeling "bullish" about Notre Dame's chances in the National Invitational Tournament -- you might want to look at airfare and hotels to New York City -- here are the dates:
  • Semi-Finals -- Tuesday, March 27th
  • Finals -- Thursday, March 29th

The first THREE ROUNDS are played on the higher seed's court -- which should mean the Fighting Irish would have to win three "home games" to earn a trip to Madison Square Garden.

We'll know more at 8:30 PM ET on ESPNU

LINK:  NIT TICKET INFO

NIT Selection Show on ESPNU at 8:30 PM ET


Here's hoping the Fighting Irish can get excited about playing in the NIT -- they'll be the team with the target on their back -- a logical #1 overall seed...

We'll learn the path to Madison Square Garden and the NIT Championship Game -- tonight at 8:30 PM ET on ESPNU.

GO IRISH!

NIT Makeover for Purcell Pavilion Floor & Clock


The NIT Tournament will be experimenting with changes to the playing court and changes to how the time will be kept during the game...
  1. The three-point line will be moved back 20" -- same as the FIBA three-point distance
  2. The "paint" area inside the free throw lane will be widened four-feet -- same as the NBA
  3. There will be four quarters instead of two halves -- same as NBA
  4. And, on a missed shot -- the shot clock will re-set at 20 seconds instead of 30 seconds

LINK:  NIT MAKEOVER

It's Okay -- Let's Go Win the NIT in the Garden!


Notre Dame was passed over for the NCAA Tournament -- now it's time to see who and where they will play in the NIT.

Saturday, March 10, 2018

Cleveland Browns Just Did Kizer a Huge Favor!


It's being reported that the Cleveland Browns have traded former Notre Dame QB DeShone Kizer to the Green Bay Packers...

How good is this for DeShone!!!

LINK:  TRADE

Friday, March 9, 2018

Big Question: "Is Notre Dame NCAA Bound?"



There are plenty of opinions -- we'll know for sure around 6:21 PM ET on Sunday...

Video above courtesy of my friends at Irish Illustrated.

LINK:   CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

LINK:   CBS SPORTS

LINK:   WASHINGTON POST

Thursday, March 8, 2018

Notre Dame Had No Answers for Duke Tonight


Notre Dame vs. Duke at 7 PM ET on ESPN


Do the Fighting Irish have anything left in the tank?

We'll find out in the next 9 hours -- as Notre Dame will play its third game in three nights and Duke plays its first -- on ESPN beginning at 7 PM ET.

When the teams played each other in January -- both Bonzie and Farrell were in street clothes on the bench.  Not tonight!

LINK:  DUKE MEDIA ON TONIGHT'S GAME

A Shout Out to My Dad -- Happy Birthday!


Congrats on another lap around the Sun and here's to many more trips around the bases! 

Happy Birthday Dad!

Brey with Van Pelt on Sideline Look for NCAA



The Media's Attempt to Capture Last Night...


Took a lap around the worldwide web this morning to see how the media, assembled in Brooklyn last night, told the story of Notre Dame's improbable comeback from 21 points down -- with 15:07 remaining -- in their ACC Tournament win over Virginia Tech.

Enjoy!

LINK:  NEW YORK POST

LINK:  NEWSDAY

LINK:  WASHINGTON POST

LINK:  ROANOKE TIMES

LINK:  INDY STAR 

LINK:  FORT WAYNE JOURNAL GAZETTE 

LINK:  ESPN

LINK:  DURHAM HERALD SUN

Proof the "Luck of the Irish" is Alive and Well!

The SHOT!
The CATCH!


Andy Katz Interviews Bonzie After Win Over VT



Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Virginia Tech Presser After Loss to Notre Dame

Must Hear -- Jack Nolan's Call -- ND Over VT!



An instant classic!

Mike Brey Talks "Brooklyn Miracle" with Media



Courtesy of my friends at Irish Illustrated...

Brey & Players Talk Comeback Win Over VT


Two Historic Comeback Wins for ND Hoops!

Two months ago -- Muffet's Fighting Irish came back from 23 points down to beat Tennessee -- the largest comeback in women's basketball history at Notre Dame....
A few minutes ago -- Brey's Fighting Irish came back from 21 points down to beat Virginia Tech -- the largest comeback in men's basketball history at Notre Dame...

Twitter After ND's Win Over Virginia Tech!



Bonzie Colson Talks to ESPN After Win!


Do You Believe in Miracles!!!! WOW!!!



Down 21 points with 15:07 left in the game...

You had to know it was over when Bonzie hit this LUCK OF THE IRISH three!!!


Muffet Named USA Today's National COY!


Congratulations to Notre Dame women's head basketball coach Muffet McGraw who was named USA Today's National Coach of the Year!

LINK:  USA TODAY

ND vs. Virginia Tech on ESPN2 Tonight!!!


The Fighting Irish will take on #7 seed Virginia Tech tonight at the ACC Tournament -- the game will be televised on ESPN2.

Here's what Buzz Williams had to say about playing a Notre Dame team this time with both Bonzie Colson and Matt Farrell in the line-up:

LINK:  BUZZ ON ND

Sunday, March 4, 2018

The Fighting Irish Head to Brooklyn Tonight!



The #10 seed Fighting Irish of Notre Dame begin ACC Tournament play this Tuesday at 2 PM ET against the Pitt Panthers...

Need to win at least two (probably three) to get back into the NCAA Tournament!

Junior Roommates Leading the Fighting Irish


Nice story on Notre Dame's Arike Ogubonwale and Marina Mabrey...

LINK:  ROOMMATES

Equanimeous Puts on a Show for NFL Teams


Not a bad three days in Indy this week for former Notre Dame wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown.

LINK:  FORT WAYNE JOURNAL GAZETTE STORY

LINK:  FORTY YARD DASH

LINK:  SB NATION 

ND vs. #4 Louisville Today for ACC Title!


The winner is also a lock for a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament -- and probably a three-seed overall.

The Fighting Irish were rocked by Louisville back on January 11th -- 100 - 67 in front of a national TV audience.  Since then, Notre Dame has won 14 straight... 

The game tips off at 2:00 PM ET on ESPN2. 

GO IRISH!

LINK:  LOUISVILLE NEWSPAPER STORY

LINK:  ACC PREVIEW

Saturday, March 3, 2018

Mike Brey Talks Loss to #1 Virginia Today



ACC Tournament starts Wednesday for Notre Dame!

Press Conferences -- After Notre Dame's Win


The Press Conferences begin at the 16:40 mark -- Notre Dame and then the Florida State press conference starts at 24:10 mark.

LINK:  PRESSERS

Notre Dame Off to FIFTH Straight Title Game!



The Fighting Irish's win today over Florida State advances them to their fifth straight ACC Tournament Championship Final!

Muffet's Irish Face Florida State at 2:30 PM ET




Last time they played, Notre Dame played their best game of the year -- routing the #11 ranked Seminoles 100 - 69 on their home court.

Expect a different game today -- you can see it on ESPNU beginning at 2:30 PM ET.

GO IRISH!

LINK:  PRESS CONFERENCE -- NOTRE DAME

Friday, March 2, 2018

New York Giants to Take "Big Q" #2 Overall?

LINK:  GIANTS PICK

Notre Dame Faces #1 Virginia at 4 PM ET



The game will be televised on the ACC Network tomorrow beginning at 4 PM ET.  GO IRISH!

LINK:  WHERE TO WATCH

Muffet's Irish Win ACC Tourney Game #1

The Irish now play the winner of Florida State vs. Miami -- tomorrow at 2:30 PM ET on ESPNU.

LINK:  ACC TOURNEY BRACKET