Notre Dame Returns Home from Final Four

Muffet's Fighting Irish returned home to the Notre Dame campus during the lunch hour.  The welcome included a "water cannon" salute at South Bend Regional Airport and a police escort back to Purcell Pavilion.  Here's a couple of short video clips of their return:

LINK:  WATER CANNON SALUTE

LINK:  POLICE ESCORT TO CAMPUS

Louis Nix -- Latest Video On NFL Draft Prep

Former Notre Dame student-athlete Louis Nix is the subject of this latest video over at CBS SPORTS...

LINK:  LOUIS NIX

The Mornin' After a Loss for the National Title...

Well, it doesn't feel any better this morning than it did at approximately 10:30 PM ET last night.

UCONN was the better team last night -- no question.  Now, would it have been different with Natalie Achonwa's leadership, size and tenacity along with her 20 points and 10 rebounds a game during the NCAA tournament?

It would have been fun to see their best against our best.

Notre Dame fans, we should be very proud of this team.  A season where the pundits barely had us ranked in the pre-season TOP TEN -- ended up with a fourth straight trip to the FINAL FOUR and the most single season wins in Notre Dame basketball history.

I took a lap around the worldwide web this morning to capture some of the post-game reaction from the FIGHTING IRISH's point of view -- just click on the links below:

LINK:  WSBT-TV

LINK:  WNDU-TV

LINK:  POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE

ESPN Coverage Begins at 7:30 PM ET Tonight

If you're not in Nashville watching the game in person -- you can begin your TV experience at 7:30 PM ET as ESPN tips off their pre-game coverage at that time.  The game should begin shortly after 8:30 PM ET -- also on ESPN.

Here's the latest coverage from Nashville:

LINK:  THE GAME IS WHAT MATTERS

How Notre Dame Wins the National Title Tonight

The "undefeated" meet tonight in Nashville for the National Championship.  The heavily favored 39 - 0 UCONN Huskies take on our 37 - 0 Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.  It's the first time in NCAA history that two undefeated teams have met for a women's basketball National Championship.  ESPN is loving this -- they are calling tonight's game "one of the most anticipated moments in women's sports history..."

The oddsmakers in Vegas have UCONN as a 7 point favorite.

Here's how we beat UCONN -- and it starts early -- before the second media timeout (eight minutes into the game);

• Kayla McBride and Jewell Loyd each hit two of the first four shots they take
• Notre Dame has five offensive rebounds leading to a minimum of 6 points -- conversely, UCONN doesn't have any "second chance points"
• One of UCONN's "big-three" of Stewart, Dolson or Mosqueda-Lewis has 2 fouls and sitting on the bench for the rest of the half.

Muffet made a major point at her press conference yesterday about the "lack of fouls called against UCONN this season."  Keep an eye out for this in the first half.  Notre Dame must get to the "bonus" free throws before UCONN.

LINK:  ESPN'S KEYS TO THE GAME

Digger Announces Retirement from ESPN

Richard "Digger" Phelps -- the winningest coach in Notre Dame basketball history -- announced his retirement from ESPN last night prior to the National Championship game.  Digger spent 20 years working for ESPN -- here's a link to his announcement and ESPN's tribute video:

LINK:  DIGGER'S GOOD-BYE

Geno Auriemma's "Shout Out" to Kayla McBride

UCONN Geno Auriemma brings up Kayla McBride in his post game press conference -- here's the link:

LINK:  AURIEMMA

Notre Dame's "Day Before the Final Dance"

The Fighting Irish awoke this morning to the task of defeating "the other" undefeated team in Tuesday's National Championship game.  This marks the third time in four years that Notre Dame is playing on the final day of the college basketball season...

THE THIRD TIME WILL BE THE CHARM!

Here's a replay of Notre Dame's media session today in Nashville -- Muffet has her game face on!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME

Maryland Coach Talks Loss to Notre Dame

Here's a link to a video from Maryland's post game press conference last night after their loss to Notre Dame in the NCAA Semi-Finals;

LINK:  MARYLAND TALKS

Fact: Best Rivalry in all of Women's Sports

It's UCONN vs. Notre Dame in women's basketball.

The two dominant players in their sport right now will make NCAA history tomorrow night when the "undefeated" teams square off for the National Championship.  It's the first time ever that two undefeated teams have met in a NCAA Championship basketball game.

What adds to this rivalry -- no love lost between the two coaches and teams...

LINK:  NO LOVE LOST

LINK:  RIVALRY

ND Football's "Strong & True" Tonight 6:30 PM

Notre Dame football fans -- this is must see TONIGHT at 6:30 PM ET -- on the NBC Sports Network!

LINK:  SNEAK PREVIEW

Sneak Preview: Muffet's Pre-Game Speech

After watching the ESPN "experts" not giving Notre Dame any chance at all to win Tuesday night's NCAA National Championship game against UCONN -- I found myself wondering what approach would Muffet take for her pre-game speech tomorrow night in Nashville.

Here's a sneak preview...

LINK:  WHAT THOUGH THE ODDS BE GREAT...

"Achonwa Who?" -- Notre Dame Rolls 87 - 61

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame played their first game in the FINAL FOUR without their injured senior captain and leading rebounder Natalie Achonwa (I wish we still had her in the line-up!) -- and all they did was OUTREBOUND Maryland by 29 REBOUNDS!

Folks, that's effort and coaching.  

Kayla McBride was FANTASTIC scoring 28 points while sitting the last four plus minutes on the bench -- resting for Tuesday night.  The "other" All-American Jewell Loyd scored 16 points and was tied for the team lead with 9 rebounds.

Yet, the player of the game for me was MARKISHA WRIGHT -- all "Keesh" did was score 12 points and grab 9 boards in 23 minutes of playing time. 

Now, it's on to Tuesday night and the Championship Final -- the third in four years for the Irish.  Let's hope THREE IS THE CHARM!

LINK:  ESPN COVERAGE

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

The Latest on Notre Dame From the Final Four!

Here's what I'm finding on Twitter in the last few minutes:

LINK:  TEAM LEAVING HOTEL

LINK:  BAND / CHEERLEADERS / FANS AT HOTEL

Notre Dame's New Field Will Not Look Like This

The LA KISS kicked off their 2014 Arena Football League home season in front of a crowd of over 12,000 in what can only be characterized as "UNIQUE."  A "silver" playing surface combined with a sensory overload fan experience...

You have got to see this!

LINK:  ESPN VIDEO STORY

LINK:  FOX NEWS STORY

Know Thy Opponent: Michigan's Spring Game

154 days from today -- the Michigan Wolverines will roll into Notre Dame Stadium to take on the Fighting Irish for the last time in the foreseeable future.  Yesterday, the Wolverines held their Spring Game in Ann Arbor.

Here's a link to Coach Hoke's post game press conference with some commentary from a Michigan alum, turned sports writer, Drew Sharp:

LINK:  MICHIGAN'S SPRING GAME

MUST SEE! Notre Dame vs. FSU Rain Delay

The Notre Dame men's baseball team is in Tallahassee Florida this weekend to take on the #1 Florida State Seminoles.  Yesterday's game ended up being rained out -- but the Fighting Irish and Seminoles entertained the crowd while they waited out the rain...

FSU's Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winson (photo above) -- who the IRISH rocked for a couple of runs the night before -- got into the act...

LINK:  RAIN DELAY

Adidas Creates New Uniform for Notre Dame...

Here is the new baseball jersey designed by Adidas for Notre Dame.

Under Armour takes over July 1st...

Domer Dad Gets "SILVER SLUGGER" Award!

Torii Hunter Sr., father of Notre Dame wide receiver Torii Hunter, Jr. -- was given his "second" SILVER SLUGGER award (alongside Miguel Cabrera) before the Tiger's game against the Orioles on Friday.  The honor is given to the top three hitting outfielders in the American League from the 2013 season.

Hunter hit .304 with 17 homers and 84 RBI in 2013 at the age of 37!

Torii Sr. -- hit-less the first two games of the season -- has gone 5 for 8 since receiving the award with two home runs, a double and six rbi!

LINK:  TORII HUNTER SR. -- FRIDAY'S GAME

LINK:  TORII HUNTER SR. -- SATURDAY'S GAME

"Coach" Achonwa WIRED at the FINAL FOUR!

After listening to this -- I won't be surprised if Natalie Achonwa is on Muffet's coaching staff before too long...

Enjoy!

LINK:  ACHONWA

Kayla McBride & Jewell Loyd -- All Americans!

It's the first time in school history that Notre Dame has two players voted first team All-American!

Kayla McBride and Jewell Loyd were honored yesterday in Nashville for their selection to the Women's Basketball Coaches Association All-American first team.  Notre Dame's two selections to the team fell one short of UCONN's three...

Congratulations Kayla and Jewell!

LINK:  WNDU-TV STORY

Know Thy Opponent: The Fighting Turtles of MD

The Maryland Terrapins gave Notre Dame all they could handle in a game in College Park in late January.  In that game the Fighting Irish blew a 22 point first half lead -- hanging on for a four point victory 87 - 83 -- the closest a team has come to beating Notre Dame this season.

In that game, Natalie Achonwa only played 21 minutes, scoring 7 points and grabbing 3 rebounds.

The Terrapins are bigger and probably more athletic than our IRISH -- it's going to be a tough test for Muffet's squad without Achnowa's 20 points and 10 boards per game in the NCAA Tournament.  Yet, I still like our chances!

Here's what I could find about Maryland -- just click on the links below:

LINK:  THOMAS LEADS TERPS

LINK:  PARTY CRASHERS

LINK:  FAMILIAR OPPONENTS

LINK:  MAJORING IN CHEMISTRY

ESPN Takes On: Who is Muffet McGraw?

"Back to Back" National Coach of the Year honors for Notre Dame's Muffet McGraw -- the third in her 27-year career leading the Fighting Irish -- and ESPN is asking the question; "Who is Muffet McGraw?"

You'll enjoy this!

LINK:  MUFFET MCGRAW

Final Four Sunday is Here for the Fighting Irish!

It's less than ten hours to tip-off of Notre Dame's national semi-final game tonight against Maryland -- the game will be televised on ESPN beginning at 6:30 PM ET. 

I took a lap around the worldwide-web to get you ready with all of the important "pre-tip" knowledge you'll need for tonight's game.  Just click on the links below:

GO IRISH!

LINK:  FINAL FOUR PRESSER

LINK:  PLAYER INTERVIEWS

LINK:  ESPN'S HAYS

LINK:  ESPN'S HAYS #2

LINK:  ESPN -- NOTRE DAME ADJUSTMENTS

Domer's First 100 Days on the Job in Iowa...

Notre Dame alum Jimmy Small '08, was the subject of this story about his first 100 days on the job at Iowa Speedway.  Just click on the link below:

LINK:  FIRST 100 DAYS

Photo: Manti Te'o Back Home at Notre Dame

The ND GO IRISH BLOG was sent this photo by Notre Dame parent Patrick Paige (Ann Arbor, MI) of former Fighting Irish All-American Manti Te'o with some students in the lobby of the Morris Inn Thursday night.

(Photo l to r:  Oliver Silva, Meghan Maraghy, Manti Te'o, Katie Paige, Claire O'Neill and Mari Mendoza)

Everett Golson Interview Yesterday at ND

Notre Dame QB Everett Golson, offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley and linebacker Joe Schmidt met with the media yesterday afternoon -- just click on the link below to watch:

LINK:  EVERETT GOLSON

Muffet's Irish Have a Fun Friday at Final Four

It was a day where the Notre Dame Fighting Irish "dressed-up" and enjoyed the spoils of being one of four teams still playing college basketball this weekend in Nashville...

As always, Fighting Irish Digital Media was in attendance -- just click on the link below to enjoy!

LINK:  FINAL FOUR SALUTE

ND Alum: McDonald's All American Coach

Notre Dame alum Frank Allocco, the head basketball coach at prep powerhouse De La Salle High School in Concord, CA -- where he's won two state championships -- coached the West Team to a 105 - 102 win this week at the McDonald's All-American game at Chicago's United Center.  

Notre Dame football fans may remember Frank's days as a QB for Ara Parseghian -- and a member of the 1973 national championship team.  Allocco also played basketball for Digger Phelps while at ND.
 
Allocco, the National High School Coach of the Year (2000), California State Coach of the Year (2010 and 2011) and the National Catholic High School Coach of the Year (2012) agreed to publish a daily diary of his experience working with the best high school basketball players in America.  You'll find the links to the Diary below.

Allocco is the only high school coach in California state history to win a STATE CHAMPIONSHIP at two different schools! 

I want to thank one of my colleagues at Notre Dame, Craig Horvath -- for alerting me to this story!

LINK:  DAY 2

LINK:  DAY 3

LINK:  DAY 4

LINK:  DAY 5

Coach Kelly's Media Session After Practice

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly met with the media after today's practice.  Here's a link to the media session.

LINK:  COACH KELLY

ND's Business School -- FIVE-PEAT as #1 !!!!!

Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business was just named the #1 undergraduate business school in America for the FIFTH STRAIGHT YEAR by BloombergBusinessWeek!

Just read the headline to the article -- linked below...

LINK:  FIVE-PEAT!

Friday Morning at the Final Four in Nashville

Took a lap around the worldwide web this morning to see what's being said about our Fighting Irish as they arrived in Nashville last night for their fourth straight FINAL FOUR.  Here's what I could find:

LINK:  ESPN PRIMER

LINK:  "EXPERT" PICKS

LINK:  GAME PREVIEW

LINK:  PURSUIT OF PROTECTION

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE #1

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE #2

Notre Dame Has Arrived at the FINAL FOUR!

The 36 - 0 Notre Dame Fighting Irish have arrived in Nashville this evening for the NCAA Final Four -- their fourth straight year!  Here's some photos "tweeted" by the Women's Final Four Twitter account along with a link to WATCHND's coverage of the Fighting Irish in Nashville:

LINK:  TEAM'S ARRIVAL

Muffet's "Tweet" Before Leaving for Final Four

"It's not about the cards you're dealt but how you play the hand. Just because we don't have an "ace" up our sleeve doesn't mean we're gonna fold." 

-- Muffet McGraw

Photos of Kathryn Westbeld: McDonald's Game

 

Incoming Notre Dame women's basketball recruit Kathryn Westbeld played in yesterday's McDonald's All-American game at Chicago's United Center.  Kathryn made the only shot she took and grabbed a couple of offensive rebounds in ten minutes of play.

LINK:  BOX SCORE

NFL Films: Louis Nix III "On The Clock"

The NFL has their new media darling -- Louis "Irish Chocolate" Nix...

LINK:  ON THE CLOCK

Seven Domers Drafted in This NFL Mock Draft

Here's a computer simulation of the upcoming 2014 NFL Draft that has seven former Notre Dame student-athletes being drafted by teams.  I won't ruin the surprise:

LINK:  NFL DRAFT

Brianna Turner Named McDonald's Game MVP!

Notre Dame women's basketball's incoming Gatorade National Player of the Year, Brianna Turner -- played tonight in the McDonald's All-American game at Chicago's United Center with the top players in the country and she walked away with the game MVP!

Brianna is the second Notre Dame hoops recruit to receive this honor -- the first, a young lady named Skylar Diggins...

Brianna had a "double-double," scored the winning bucket for the West Team with 53 seconds left and then for good measure blocked a shot late in the game to ensure the victory!

Congratulations Brianna!

LINK:  ESPN GAME STORY

Notre Dame Football Assistant Coaches Talk

The gang at Fighting Irish Digital Media caught up with a number of the Notre Dame football assistant coaches today;  Tony Alford, Kerry Cooks, Matt LaFleur and Mike Elston.  Enjoy!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL COACHES

Positive Weather Forecast for Blue Gold Game!

This is the current weather forecast from ACCU-WEATHER (as of Wednesday, April 9th) of what we can expect here at Notre Dame for the BLUE GOLD GAME.

LINK:  WEATHER FORECAST

Watch Turner & Westbeld Tonight on ESPNU

The McDonald's High School All-American game will be played tonight at 7:00 PM ET on ESPNU -- and Fighting Irish fans will want to keep an eye-on future Notre Dame student-athletes; Brianna Turner (on left) and Kathryn Westbeld (on right) seen in the photo above at the All-American banquet last night.

Brianna 6'-3" -- the Gatorade National Player of the Year will be playing for the West Squad and wearing uniform #11.  Kathryn 6'-2" -- will be playing for the East Squad.

LINK:  BRIANNA TURNER

LINK:  KATHRYN WESTBELD

Notre Dame Knows Their Final Four Opponent

The team that gave Notre Dame its most difficult test of the season -- the Maryland Terrapins (pictured above) -- beat the higher seeded Louisville Cardinals (in the Cards own gym) last night to advance to Sunday's Final Four game against our Fighting Irish.

These two teams last met January 27th in College Park, MD -- with the IRISH prevailing 87 - 83.  This is one of only two times this season where an opponent kept the deficit to under 10 points against the IRISH.  Natalie Achonwa scored 7 points and grabbed 3 rebounds in that game (playing only 21 minutes of the game) -- see box score below.

Here's the challenge -- Maryland has a big, talented line-up led by a 6'-2" All-American Alyssa Thomas who put up 29 points in the first game against our Irish.  Here's their starting line-up last night against Louisville:

• Alicia DeVaughn:  6'-4"  -- scored 16 against ND
• Brionna Jones:  6'-3" -- didn't start against ND -- but scored 6 off bench
• Alyssa Thomas:  6'-2" -- scored 29 against ND
• Lexie Brown:  5'-9" -- scored 9 points against ND
• Katie Rutan:  5'-9" -- didn't score

LINK:  ESPN PREVIEW STORY

LINK:  BOX SCORE FROM FIRST GAME:  ND vs. MARYLAND

Under Armour's Marketing to Notre Dame Fans

Folks, Under Armour will be a much different partner for the University of Notre Dame -- in a great way.  Here's a perfect example -- here we are, three months out from the start of their partnership with ND and Under Armour is soliciting fans to sign-up to be "in the know" as to what they're planning for Notre Dame.

I love it.

If you want to sign-up -- click on the link below:

LINK:  BE IN THE KNOW

Must See: Mike Brey's "April Fool's Day" Prank

Former Notre Dame student-athlete turned broadcaster Jordan Cornette was pranked today by his former head coach Mike Brey.  This is pretty good!

LINK:  APRIL FOOL'S PRANK

Loyd & McBride -- Must Lead the Irish Now...

With the serious knee injury (a torn ACL -- just reported by Notre Dame at 2:30 PM ET) to Natalie Achonwa -- Notre Dame's "do-it-all" All-American sophomore Jewell Loyd is going to have to replicate her effort last night where she took the game into her own hands.

And, Notre Dame's other All-American Kayla McBride needs to stay on the floor...

Here is a link to ESPN's Graham Hays story about last night's effort from the IRISH:

LINK:  ESPN STORY

The Mornin' After Notre Dame's Big Win!

The Fighting Irish are FINAL FOUR bound for the fourth straight year!  They will play the winner of tonight's Maryland vs. Louisville game this Sunday in Nashville.

Now, we wait until we hear the results of what looked to be a very serious knee injury to Notre Dame senior Natalie Achonwa.  You'll see a video linked below (ESPN COVERAGE) where Natalie was interviewed after the game.

LINK:  ESPN COVERAGE

LINK:  POST GAME CELEBRATION 

LINK:  MUFFET POST GAME 

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE