Irish Win First Round NCAA Game over Liberty!

Muffet's IRISH made their first FOUR SHOTS in the 2012 NCAA Tournament -- and it was 11 - 0 and GAME OVER, just a couple of minutes in.

The halftime score was 44 - 19 and the FIGHTING IRISH didn't even take a warm-up shot coming out into the second half.  It was just a matter of how bad did Muffet's crew want to play over the last 20 minutes...

The final score ended up: 74 - 41.

Next up for the IRISH -- #8 seed California on Tuesday -- who looked VERY GOOD in their 84 - 74 win over #9 seed Iowa.  This might just be ND's toughest test before FINAL FOUR weekend in Denver.  That's how good this California team is.

LINK:  FINAL BOX SCORE

LINK:  POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE 

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Notre Dame's NCAA Tourney Run Begins Today

Muffet McGraw's #1 seeded Fightin' Irish begin the road to Denver and the 2012 FINAL FOUR -- today at 2:40 PM ET on ESPN2 -- when they take on Jerry Falwell's Liberty University Flames at "HOME" inside Purcell Pavillion.

I'll be sitting in the stands, so expect a "first person" follow-up report this evening.  Here's a link to the NCAA coverage coming out of South Bend:

LINK:  NCAA PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  NOTRE DAME vs. LIBERTY -- PREVIEW

LINK:  TOURNEY CENTRAL

ND Band in Ireland for 2012 St. Patrick's Day!

A few members of the Band of the Fighting Irish were in the perfect place to celebrate St. Patrick's Day yesterday -- DUBLIN, IRELAND!  As you'll see here in a few articles and videos from Ireland -- the Notre Dame marching band did us proud!

Twelve marching bands performed during the parade including -- NINE FROM AMERICA!  (the above photo is all I could find so far)

LINK:  VIDEO OF THE BAND OF THE FIGHTING IRISH

LINK:  VIDEO -- RAKES OF MALLOW

LINK:  IRISH TIMES

LINK:  BELFAST TELEGRAPH

LINK:  HOUSE OF BRIGID BLOG

Father Hesburgh Awarded Irish Citizenship!

In a St. Patrick's Day ceremony yesterday -- here on the campus of the University of Notre Dame -- "Father Ted" was honored with IRISH CITIZENSHIP.  Ireland's highest honor was bestowed on ND's former president by Ireland's Prime Minister Enda Kenny.  Here's a couple links to the story:

LINK:  IRISH AMERICA MAGAZINE

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  FATHER HESBURGH VIDEO

Quinn & Zbikowski Switch NFL Teams...

Former Irish football stars; Brady Quinn and Tom Zbikowski signed with new NFL teams in the past 24 hours. 

Yesterday, Zbikowski signed a three-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts after starting his career in Baltimore. Today, Quinn agreed to a contract with the Kansas City Chiefs (terms not disclosed) after spending seasons in Cleveland and Denver.  Here's hoping the moves turn out great for both!

LINK:  QUINN SIGNS WITH CHIEFS

LINK:  ZIBBY SIGNS WITH COLTS

Sollars' Notre Dame Football Helmet Designs

I love Charles Sollars' helmet designs -- but, Charles -- I think you could do better for our IRISH! 

Give us something as cool and hot as you designed for; Alabama, LSU, Illinois, Mizzou...

Here's a link to fourteen helmet designs he came up with for Notre Dame -- along with a second link to helmet designs for a few other teams:

LINK:  NEW HELMET DESIGN FOR THE IRISH

LINK:  OTHER SOLLARS HELMET DESIGNS

The Mornin' After a Bizarre End to a Season

 

I was up 'til after 2 AM ET -- trying to make sense of what happened to our IRISH...  And, I can't.

Xavier 67 - Notre Dame 63

So, I thought I'd leave it up to Coach Brey, the players and the "experts" in the media.  Here you go:

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  IRISH LOCKER ROOM -- AFTER GAME

LINK:  POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  CINCINNATI.COM STORY

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

Referee's Calls -- Determines Final Outcome

Folks, it's truly a shame that with less than 3 seconds left in the game -- and the IRISH down two at the free throw line...

A referee's whistle -- ends the 2011 - 2012 basketball season for our Fighting Irish.

I don't know if it rivals the call made by the first base umpire taking the PERFECT GAME away from the Detroit Tigers' pitcher two seasons ago -- but, it's usually an "un-written" rule that you let the PLAYERS PLAY at the end of the game -- especially an NCAA Tournament game.

Not tonight.  Big East referee Mike Stuart (who's one of the best in the business) made two "back to back" calls that decided the outcome of the game:

• With Eric Atkins at the free throw line with 2.8 seconds remaining and the IRISH down by 2, Stuart blows the whistle after Atkins made the first free throw -- calling Jerian Grant for a violation -- even though he's almost 20' away from the basket.  Taking the point away from Notre Dame and giving the ball to Xavier...

• Then, on the in-bounds play that followed -- Stuart blows the whistle before the ball is thrown in, calling an INTENTIONAL FOUL on our IRISH -- awarding two free throws and the ball out of bounds to Xavier -- GAME OVER...

Mike Stuart took CONTROL AWAY FROM THE PLAYERS -- of the final 2.8 seconds of the basketball game -- ultimately making the decision that Xavier WOULD WIN and our IRISH WOULD GO HOME...

Ironically, I found this interview of Mike Stuart (January 2011) talking about the end of games (see cover photo of Stuart above) where he makes this quote -- and I swear I'm not making this up -- click on the article below:

“That game was really a great game where both teams competed at their highest level, and they decided the game,” he said. “At the end of the day, that is our goal.” -- Mike Stuart.

YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS UP!!!

Sleepless in South Bend...

LINK:  MIKE STUART -- LETTING "PLAYERS DECIDE THE GAME..."

Introducing the SHAMROCKS of NOTRE DAME!

The University of Notre Dame -- for the first time in its 169 year history -- will be growing shamrocks on campus this spring...

The exact locations of where the SHAMROCKS of NOTRE DAME will be planted has not been revealed as of yet -- but, as you might expect -- you can buy these same shamrocks (as of today) in the Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore.

The store just has a few shamrocks in stock -- with plans to have many more in store for the BLUE GOLD WEEKEND.   They're also going to be offering this online -- with the ability to ship the SHAMROCKS of NOTRE DAME to your home.  They showed me the box they'll ship them in and you can turn the plant upside down in the box and the dirt doesn't come out -- IMPRESSIVE to say the least.

Each SHAMROCKS of NOTRE DAME plant comes in a ceramic pot complete with a "story card" that speaks to this new "living tradition," about to begin this spring, on the University of Notre Dame campus.

I bought two SHAMROCKS of NOTRE DAME plants to give to my Mom and Mother-in-Law for St. Patrick's Day -- they're both huge ND fans who will now have a "story to tell" about "their shamrocks from Notre Dame..."

What's cool is this -- Notre Dame alums, parents, fans and friends will have the opportunity to always have a "living piece of Notre Dame" growing in their yard, home or office -- and a STORY TO TELL.  It's going to be a great gift item...

I've also learned that all proceeds from the sale of the SHAMROCKS of NOTRE DAME will go to the University's Annual Fund which annually provides financial aid for deserving students, enhances academic and student life, advances the university's Catholic mission and funds other areas of greatest need.

The Real March Madness Begins Tonight!

Mike Brey's Fighting Irish have been getting ready for a couple of days now in Greensboro, NC for tonight's scheduled 9:45 PM ET tip-off with Xavier.  The NCAA now calls this a "second round" game since they 'play-ins' were created last season... 

It's still a FIRST ROUND game to me -- a game the IRISH will win!

Last night, the folks at Fighting Irish Digital Media and UND.COM posted a few stories from the tournament site that IRISH fans will enjoy.  I must admit, I'm now a big fan of Garrick Sherman who's in his transfer season from Michigan State -- after learning what he had to do just to "practice" with his teammates in Greensboro -- it's in one of the stories below...

LINK:  COACH BREY WITH JACK NOLAN 

LINK:  COACH BREY NCAA PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  PLAYERS NCAA PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  DAY ONE @ NCAA TOURNAMENT

To Get You Fired Up for Spring Practice!

The folks at Fighting Irish Digital Media spent some time with the IRISH at a winter workout...

With the official start of Spring Practice -- just six days away -- thought this would get NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL fans excited.  Enjoy!

LINK:  WINTER WORKOUT FOR THE IRISH

2012 ND vs. Michigan -- UNDER THE LIGHTS!

The University of Notre Dame announced today that their game on September 22 with the University of Michigan, will be played UNDER THE LIGHTS -- in prime time on NBC.  Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET.

All other games at Notre Dame Stadium will have a 3:30 PM ET kick-off this season.  The Shamrock Series game between Notre Dame and the University of Miami will be a 7:30 PM ET kick-off at Chicago's Soldier Field.

Amir Carlisle: NCAA Ruled ELIGIBLE TO PLAY!

Amir Carlisle, who transferred into Notre Dame for the spring semester from the University of Southern California -- was ruled ELIGIBLE to play this fall for the Fighting Irish!

Here's a link to highlights of USC's win over Colorado this past season -- a game in which Amir had 90 yards rushing and  31 yards receiving:

LINK:  AMIR CARLISLE

Notre Dame: Tee Shepard Headin' Home...

News just broke that Tee Shepard, one of Notre Dame's top rated recruits -- who had enrolled early -- has left school to return home to Fresno, CA.  This was just announced by university spokesman, Brian Hardin.

LINK:  WNDU STORY

Graduation Success Rate: NCAA Men's Teams

Did some homework as to how well the 64 teams in the 2012 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship -- graduate their student-athletes.  The NCAA has been reporting the Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of every athletic team at every member school since 2004 -- you'll find the results below.

Seven schools in this year's NCAA Tournament scored a PERFECT GSR SCORE, graduating 100 percent of their student-athletes;  University of Notre Dame, Duke University, Davidson College, Brigham Young University, Harvard University, Creighton University and Belmont University.

Thirteen (13) schools in this year's NCAA Tournament GRADUATE LESS THAN HALF of their student-athletes in the NCAA Tournament -- they are:

• UCONN:  graduates 25%
• New Mexico State:  graduates 28%
• Mississippi Valley State:  graduates 35%
• University of Florida:  graduates 38%
• Southern Mississippi University:  graduates 42% 
• University of Colorado:  graduates 43%
• Norfolk State:  graduates 43%
• Temple University:  graduates 43%
• University of South Florida:  graduates 44%
• University of Michigan:  graduates 45%
• Long Beach State:  graduates 45%
• Iowa State:  graduates 45%
• Indiana University:  graduates 47% 

Here's a "re-seeding" of each NCAA Tournament Region -- by GSR:

SOUTH REGION
#1:  Duke -- 100 GSR
#2:  Notre Dame -- 100 GSR
#3:  Xavier -- 93 GSR
#4:  Wichita State -- 92 GSR
#5:  Lehigh:  85 GSR
#6:  Kentucky:  69 GSR
#7:  UNLV:  67 GSR
#8:  VCU:  67 GSR
#9:  Baylor:  56 GSR
#10:  South Dakota State:  50 GSR
#11:  Indiana:  47 GSR
#12:  Iowa State:  45 GSR
#13:  Colorado:  43 GSR
#14:  Mississippi Valley State:  35 GSR
#15:  New Mexico State:  28 GSR
#16:  UCONN:  25 GSR

WEST REGION
#1:  Davidson:  100 GSR
#2:  BYU:  100 GSR
#3:  Marquette:  91 GSR
#4:  LIU Brooklyn:  91 GSR
#5:  Michigan State:  82 GSR
#6:  Missouri:  67 GSR
#7:  Saint Louis:  67 GSR
#8:  Colorado State:  64 GSR
#9:  New Mexico:  57 GSR
#10:  Louisville:  56 GSR
#11:  Murray State:  56 GSR
#12:  Memphis:  55 GSR
#13:  Virginia:  50 GSR
#14:  Long Beach State:  45 GSR
#15:  Norfolk State:  43 GSR
#16:  Florida:  38 GSR

EAST REGION
#1:  Harvard:  100 GSR
#2:  Vanderbilt:  93 GSR
#3:  Loyola (MD):  92 GSR
#4:  West Virginia:  83 GSR
#5:  Montana:  75 GSR
#6:  Gonzaga:  73 GSR
#7:  Florida State:  67 GSR
#8:  Texas:  67 GSR
#9:  St. Bonaventure:  65 GSR
#10:  Ohio State:  57 GSR
#11:  UNC-Asheville:  57 GSR
#12:  Cincinnati:  56 GSR
#13:  Syracuse:  54 GSR
#14:  Wisconsin:  50 GSR
#15:  Kansas State:  50 GSR
#16:  Southern Mississippi:  42 GSR

MIDWEST REGION
#1:  Creighton:  100 GSR
#2:  Belmont:  100 GSR
#3:  Kansas:  91 GSR
#4:  North Carolina:  89 GSR
#5:  Detroit Mercy:  89 GSR
#6:  Vermont:  86 GSR
#7:  Saint Mary's:  82 GSR
#8:  North Carolina State:  80 GSR
#9:  Ohio:  79 GSR
#10:  Georgetown:  70 GSR
#11:  Alabama:  67 GSR
#12:  San Diego State:  62 GSR 
#13   Purdue:  50 GSR
#14:  Michigan:  45 GSR
#15:  South Florida:  44 GSR
#16:  Temple:  43 GSR

LINK:  NCAA GSR DATABASE 

Minnesota Vikings: Bookend IRISH Tight Ends!

Former Notre Dame football star John Carlson -- returned "home" today when he signed a five-year $25 million contract ($11 million guaranteed) with the Minnesota Vikings.

Carlson, who's played the last four seasons in Seattle with the Seahawks -- will be joining another former Notre Dame TE star on the Vikings roster, by the name of Kyle Rudolph.

LINK:  JOHN CARLSON -- A VIKING!

Charlie's Still Thinking About Notre Dame...

Found this article on Kansas Jayhawks head football coach Charlie Weis '78 -- who you'll see just can't stop thinking about his time in South Bend.  Here's the link below:

LINK:  CHARLIE'S NEW HOME

Notre Dame Business School Among Top 25!

The U.S. News & World Report released their rankings today of the business "grad" schools in America and the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business's MBA program was ranked #25!

Last year the IRISH were ranked #37 in this ranking -- drawing the notice of the U.S. News & World Report's editorial staff as the "most improved business school."  Congratulations!

The University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business -- undergraduate program -- has been voted #1 in the country by U.S. News & World Report for the past two years!

LINK:  U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT

LINK:  ND #25

The Irish React to #1 Seed and Their Bracket

The good folks at UND.COM and Fighting Irish Digital Media were at Purcell Pavillion last night as Notre Dame awaited word on where they would be seeded and who they would play in the upcoming 2012 NCAA Women's Basketball National Championship.  You'll enjoy their coverage!  (Where is ND selling those green Adidas jackets?)

LINK:  MUFFET McGRAW

LINK:  SKYLAR DIGGINS

LINK:  DEVEREAUX PETERS

LINK:  NATALIE NOVOSEL

LINK:  BRITTANY MALLORY

Muffet's IRISH a #1 NCAA Seed -- Play Sunday!

The Notre Dame women's basketball team received a #2 overall ranking from the NCAA -- meaning they don't have to face Baylor until the National Championship game!  Now, the "experts" at ESPN are not so complimentary of our IRISH (see below) -- which I think is GREAT!

Let's prove them wrong!

The fun begins this Sunday at Purcell Pavillion at 2:30 PM ET -- when the Irish will play #16 Liberty.  The winner of that game will face the winner of California vs. Iowa -- Tuesday night at Purcell.

GO IRISH!

LINK:  WOMEN'S NCAA BRACKET

LINK:  THE EXPERTS ARE NOT KIND TO OUR IRISH!

Irish Baseball Defeat #11 LSU on the Road!

In front of more than 10,000 fans yesterday in Baton Rouge, LA -- the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame defeated perennial national power LSU, 7 -1.  (photo of LSU's Alex Box Stadium)

LSU had won eight in a row -- before ND Sean Fitzgerald (Sophomore) threw eight strong innings only giving up one run.  BIG WIN FOR THE IRISH!

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  BATON ROUGE NEWSPAPER STORY

LINK:  SEAN FITZGERALD INTERVIEW

LINK:  ND HEAD COACH MIK AOKI -- INTERVIEW

Notre Dame Tracked Thursday's Solar Storm

I learned something today...

The University of Notre Dame has 64 "detectors" in a field the size of two football fields on the north end of campus -- to track the effects from the sun (Cosmic Ray Astrophysics).  It's called Project GRAND -- Gamma Ray Astrophysics at Notre Dame. (photo above)

If you'd like to learn more -- here's a story from the South Bend Tribune -- and a link to the Project GRAND site...


LINK:  TRACKING THE SOLAR SPACE

LINK:  ND'S PROJECT GRAND

Irish to Play Xavier Friday in Greensboro, NC

The "committee" gave the IRISH a #7 seed -- what I would have expected after losing three of our last four games...

To pile on -- our "friends" at ESPN just published a BPI ranking that said Notre Dame was the highest rated seed who "did not deserve to be in the field of 68 teams."  Ironically, Xavier -- ND's first round opponent was the next highest seeded team on that list...

Oh well, let's beat XAVIER Friday night and then let's go play Duke (in their backyard) and beat them on Sunday!

LINK:  SOUTH REGION -- BRACKET

LINK:  COACH BREY -- SELECTION SUNDAY SHOW

LINK:  JACK COOLEY -- SELECTION SUNDAY SHOW

OT: Bonnies Win the Atlantic 10, On to NCAA!

Our daughter Kara chose to attend St. Bonaventure University -- over the University of Notre Dame -- six years ago, last month -- not that I remember that moment...

Ever since that day -- another school in the "middle of nowhere" -- captured a piece of our family's heart.  So, it's with great joy that I write this blog post about the BONNIES big win today over Xavier to win the Atlantic 10 Championship -- but more importantly, a trip to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship!  

CONGRATULATIONS ST. BONA and CONGRATULATIONS KARA!!!

LINK:  THE BONNIES ARE DANCING!

P.S.  Kara, your DAD will still be rooting for the IRISH if they play the Bonnies in the NCAA!  :)

Sister of Irish Football Player -- Softball Star!

Makenzie Heggie -- younger sister of Notre Dame football player Bruce Heggie -- hit HOME RUNS IN NINE CONSECUTIVE GAMES!

Makenzie is hitting .596 with 21 extra base hits in Mount Dora HS's first 14 games this season.

Here's a link to the Orlando Sentinel story below.  (Now we need to work on Bruce Heggie, Sr. to get rid of that Seminole shirt!!!)

LINK:  LITTLE SISTER IS A PLAYER

Selection Sunday: Who Will the IRISH Play?

There will be two Notre Dame basketball teams sitting in front of TV sets tonight and tomorrow night at Purcell Pavillion -- awaiting their fate...

The fun begins for the MEN at 6:00 PM ET -- tonight on CBS -- when they will reveal the 68 tournament teams, their regions, seeds and first round games.  You can watch the IRISH's Selection Sunday show at the link below.

LINK:  WATCH UND.COM'S LIVE COVERAGE AT 5:30 PM ET

The WOMEN will have to wait until tomorrow at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN -- when their 64 team field will be revealed.  ND does know they will play their first and second round games at Purcell Pavillion - they just don't know who yet.

Tebow Who? -- Bronco Fans Now Want Peyton

You have to love sports fans -- especially Denver Broncos fans.  Two days ago they wanted Tim Tebow as their QB for life...

LINK:  DENVER NBC TV

LINK:  DENVER POST

Remember to "Spring Ahead" Your Clocks!

Please remember tonight's the night we move our "CLOCKS AHEAD ONE HOUR" here in America!

ESPN's Lunardi: Notre Dame Now a #5 Seed

ESPN's Joe Lunardi -- their "bracketologist" -- came out with his latest NCAA Tournament bracket and he has the IRISH a #5 seed.  We'll know for sure tomorrow night after 6 PM ET.

LINK:  IRISH A #5 SEED

New Adidas Hoops Jersey -- UNDEFEATED!

Adidas debuted a new NEON JERSEY for three of their schools;  Baylor, Cincinnati and Louisville -- just in time for "March Madness."

And, wouldn't you know -- all three of those schools are currently UNDEFEATED in their new Adidas jerseys -- each team beating HIGHER RANKED opponents in the new gear.

While I've seen many stories "with not so positive comments" about this new look.  I have to admit -- I like it! 

In fact, I think it would have been fun to see Adidas create a NEON GOLD jersey for the IRISH.

NEXT YEAR!

Irish Track Relay Team: NATIONAL CHAMPS!

For the first time in the 169 year history of the University of Notre Dame -- a FIGHTIN' IRISH Track & Field Team won an INDOOR RELAY NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!

The relay team of Jonathan Shawel (SENIOR -- Placentia, CA), Chris Giesting (FRESHMAN -- Batesville, IN), Randall Babb (SENIOR -- Wheaton, IL) and Jeremy Rae (JUNIOR -- Fort Erie, ONT) took first place last night in the DISTANCE MEDLEY RELAY at the NCAA INDOOR TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS!
 

• Jonathan Shawel ran the lead-off leg: 1,200 meters
• Chris Giesting ran the second leg:  1,600 meters
• Randall Babb ran the third leg:  800 meters
• Jeremy Rae ran the anchor leg:  Mile

What I found amazing was the top four teams in the Championship Final -- after running that many laps -- all finished within ONE SECOND of each other.  Had to be an exciting race!   

(Photo above is of Jeremy Rae's reaction crossing the finish line and becoming a NATIONAL CHAMPION -- 2012 NCAA Men's Indoor Track & Field Championships)

LINK:  IRISH WIN NATIONAL TITLE!

LINK:  NCAA RESULTS

Coach Brey -- Keeping It Positive After Loss...

 

Seven minutes into last night's game, it looked like we were going to be able to handle Louisville on one of the big stages in sport -- Madison Square Garden.

The Irish were leading 15 - 9 with the ball -- and then it all went wrong.  Thirteen minutes later the IRISH had only scored two points (free throws) and the game was over at halftime...

Now we wait until Sunday night to see where Notre Dame will be seeded, where and when we will play next -- and WHO.

LINK:  COACH BREY POST GAME

Former Irish Hoopster Zach Hillesland's BLOG

Zach Hillesland was a student-athlete here at the University of Notre Dame from 2005 - 2009.  Ever since Zach's senior season at ND -- he's been blogging for the New York Times.

Yesterday, Zach penned an outstanding blog piece for the New York Times about Mike Brey and this year's edition of the Fightin' Irish of Notre Dame.

You'll love Zach's ability to tell a story!

LINK:  THE CONSTANT IN NOTRE DAME BASKETBALL

The IRISH WIN -- Atkins Hits Clutch Shot!

 

In a game that never wanted to end -- FINALLY ENDED in OT, with the longest final second in the history of college basketball...

And, in the YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS STUFF UP department...  Notre Dame was apparently a 2.5 or 3.0 favorite over USF.  So, the IRISH are up by two points with ONE SECOND left in the game.  All Notre Dame has to to is inbound the ball and the game is over.

Not so fast my friends...

Standing on the sideline, Scott Martin throws the pass across court to Pat Connaughton who catches the ball and is fouled with ONE TENTH OF A SECOND ON THE CLOCK.  He's awarded two free throws -- makes them both -- and the IRISH win by FOUR POINTS.  So, in a matter of one-tenth of a second -- bettors all over the world went from WINNER to LOSER.

That's why you don't bet!!!

It wasn't a pretty win -- but, from here on out -- any win is a GREAT WIN!  The IRISH will play tonight at 9 PM ET against LOUISVILLE in the Semi-Finals of the Big East Tournament.  ESPN will televise the game.

LINK:  LOCKER ROOM CELEBRATION

LINK:  POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Photo of the Day: Four Former Irish Stars

Harrison Smith, Kyle Rudolph, Michael Floyd and Jimmy Clausen are seen here posing at a photo shoot.  Can't make out if they're promoting a product or not...

IRISH Play South Florida @ 9 PM ET on ESPN

The Big East Men's Basketball Tournament "officially" begins tonight for our Fightin' Irish when they take the Madison Square Garden floor against the University of South Florida at 9 PM ET.

The two teams met once this season (January 10th) with the Irish beating the Bulls 60 - 49 in a game at Purcell Pavillion.  Folks, this will be a low scoring game tonight.  Frankly - the first team to 60 will probably win this game.

The game is on ESPN with a scheduled tip-off at 9 PM ET.


LINK:  COACH BREY WITH CBS' SETH DAVIS 

LINK:  USF'S STAN HEATH TALKING NOTRE DAME

LINK:  TOURNEY CENTRAL

OT: Solar Storms to Impact Earth Thursday!

 

From the "how do we know this?" file -- comes this report today from the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (I don't get this channel on cable...):

The sun had two (2) solar flares yesterday and two (2) coronal mass ejections -- THAT SOUNDS SERIOUS...

Whatever all that means, around 1:25 AM ET TONIGHT -- these particles, which are hurling towards earth at 3 million to 4 million miles an hour -- could begin causing disruption to GPS, power grids, and some air flights near the poles.  Stay tuned!

Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  SOLAR STORMS

ND Prof Tim Judge Getting Plenty of Attention

Timothy Judge, professor of management at the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business has gotten the attention of the national media -- this past year -- for his "topical and engaging" research on subjects such as "do nice guys finish last,?" and "how do you define success?"

Enjoy!

LINK:  DO NICE GUYS FINISH LAST?

LINK:  HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?

They Are & Will Be Champions -- NEXT!

The University of Notre Dame's #3 ranked Fightin' Irish women's basketball team were beaten last night by UCONN in the Big East Championship game.  A home game for the HUSKIES, ND just couldn't put the ball in the basket -- scoring a season low total of points (54), shooting a dismal 32% from the field and 64% from the free throw line.

All IRISH EYES are now on the NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP -- where the IRISH will be a #1 seed.  The only unknown is will Notre Dame be ranked #2, #3 or #4 overall in the tournament.  We'll find out Sunday.

LINK:  POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE

Former Irish Football Star's New Coaching Gig

He has one of the all-time great names in Notre Dame football history -- CEDRIC FIGARO -- and now he's the new head football coach at South Plaquemines High School -- just outside of New Orleans, LA. 

The former ND and NFL linebacker has been coaching football at the professional level (NFL Europe) and the high school level (Florida and Louisiana) since his playing days ended.

Maybe this will open up some "recruiting lanes" for the Fightin' Irish in Louisiana!

LINK:  NEW HEAD COACH

Cooley Named Big East's Most Improved Player

 

University of Notre Dame "big man" Jack Cooooooooooooley -- was named the Big East Conference's Most Improved Player.  This comes as no surprise to Irish basketball fans.  Cooley has been a FORCE for the Fightin' Irish all season.  This award comes on the heels of Sunday's announcement that Jack had been named to the 2nd Team All Big East Team -- he deserved better...

LINK:  COOLEY NAMED MOST IMPROVED

The Game ESPN Wanted: ND vs. UCONN III

Well, did we really have to play these games in Hartford these past few days?

Two of the top women's basketball teams in the country (NOTRE DAME vs. UCONN) will square off tomorrow night for the third time this season -- in what I'm going to call the "we don't want Baylor in the NCAA Semi-Finals" game.

The winner of tomorrow night's game is ensured at least a #2 or #3 overall seeding placement in the upcoming NCAA Women's Basketball Championship -- which means you won't see Baylor until the NCAA Championship game.  Lose this game and you're probably going to be sitting in the #4 overall position -- which means you'll get Baylor in the Semi-Finals.

The IRISH have never won the Big East Tournament -- UCONN always does...  Notre Dame has won the last three contests with UCONN -- can they make it four tomorrow night?

It's going to be a big-time game.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7 PM ET on ESPN!

LINK:  IRISH ROLL OVER WVU

Do You Think Samardzija Made a Good Choice?

Former Notre Dame All-American wide receiver Jeff Samardzija chose baseball over football a few years ago.  Well, today -- Samardzija signed a one-year contract with the Cubs for $2,640,000 - GUARANTEED money.

He's on the back end of a five-year $10.25 million deal he signed with the Cubs after graduating from ND.  Samardzija is coming off a career best season where he went 8 - 4 with a 2.97 ERA as a reliever.

LINK:  SIGNS TODAY WITH CUBS

LINK:  FIGHTING FOR ROTATION SPOT

Photo of the Day: Notre Dame in NYC!

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame men's basketball team just arrived in NYC tonight for Thursday's BIG EAST TOURNAMENT game -- this photo was just "tweeted" by the @und_video_crew

Championship BouND! IRISH beat WVU by 28!

 

The Fightin' Irish of Notre Dame put on a show tonight "revenging" a defeat to the West Virginia Mountaineers just a couple of weeks ago --  by the score of 73 - 45.  The win moves the IRISH to tomorrow night's championship game against the winner of the St. John's vs. UCONN game -- going on right now.

Here's a link to the highlights from tonight's big win!

LINK:  ND DOMINATES WVU

Lunardi Now Has ND a #6 Seed in NCAA

ESPN's chief "bracketologist" -- Joe Lunardi, has Mike Brey's Fighting Irish now a #6 seed -- heading into this week's Big East Tournament.  If you'd like to see what Region and who he has Notre Dame playing in the first round -- click on the link below:

LINK:  NCAA LATEST PREDICTIONS

Muffet's IRISH ON ESPNU TONIGHT at 6 PM ET!

The #3 Fighting Irish beat #23 DePaul yesterday afternoon to advance to the Semi-Finals of the Big East Women's Basketball Championship.  Ironically -- the Blue Demons did NOT SHOOT ONE FREE THROW in the game -- I've never heard of that before...

Anyway, it's REVENGE NIGHT (tonight) for Muffet's IRISH as they take on the West Virginia Mountaineers.  Irish fans will recall that the Mountaineers came into Purcell Pavillion last month and beat Notre Dame. 

#25 West Virginia has a big, talented team -- it's going to be quite a game. 

The winner will take on the winner of the St. John's vs. UCONN game (that follows) for the Big East Championship tomorrow night.

GOOD LUCK IRISH!

LINK:  PRESS CONFERENCE AFTER WIN OVER DEPAUL

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS