Notre Dame Early Enrollee Tee Shepard!

You might need a FACEBOOK account to watch this video.  University of Notre Dame early enrollee -- TEE SHEPARD video taped himself in the GUG locker room doing his step drills.  Thought you'd enjoy!

LINK:  KEEP AN EYE ON THE FEET!

Notre Dame: Saving Africa's Elephants!

University of Notre Dame researchers have been studying the behavior of male and female elephants in the wild in Kenya.  Research that hopefully will lead to saving a population that has dwindled from 700,000 in 1990 to 360,000 today.  Here's the story.

LINK:  SAVING ELEPHANTS

Pawn Stars Places Value on Rockne Signature

A letter signed by legendary Notre Dame head football coach Knute Rockne was brought to the TV show Pawn Stars.  The letter's date was March 13, 1931 -- eighteen days before he died.  You'll enjoy the contents of the letter and the negotiation!

LINK:  ROCKNE LETTER "NEGOTIATED" ON PAWN STARS

RJ Blanton: NFL Scouting Combine Diary

Former Notre Dame defensive back R.J. Blanton -- was asked by the folks at the Charlotte Observer to write a "diary" of his experiences at the NFL Scouting Combine.

It says a lot when a major newspaper in the middle of ACC / SEC country reaches out to a Notre Dame student-athlete for this assignment...

And, at the same time -- ol' R.J. turned in the THIRD FASTEST 20-yard shuttle drill amongst the top defensive backs in the country today!

Enjoy!

LINK:  R.J. BLANTON DIARY -- DAY THREE 

LINK:  R.J. BLANTON DIARY -- DAY TWO

LINK:  R.J. BLANTON DIARY -- DAY ONE

LINK:  R.J. BLANTON -- COMBINE ANALYSIS

Harrison Smith: Good Day @ Scouting Combine

Former University of Notre Dame football captain, Harrison Smith -- "made some money" today with his performance in front of the NFL scouts in Indianapolis at the SCOUTING COMBINE.  Draft "experts" were even talkin' Harrison might have jumped into the FIRST ROUND today!!! 

Here's what I've found for ND fans about Harrison's day with the NFL:

LINK:  NFL NETWORK STORY  (SCROLL DOWN TO THE BOTTOM)

LINK:  HARRISON SMITH ANALYSIS

LINK:  NFL BLOG

Bengal Bouts: Semi-Finals Tonight @ ND!

Knute Rockne started boxing at Notre Dame back in the 20's -- however, the Bengal Bouts got their 'official' start in 1931 on the campus of the University of Notre Dame.  This 82 year-old tradition (which is uniquely Notre Dame) raises money for the Holy Cross Missions in Bangladesh. 

Tonight -- at the north dome of the Joyce Athletic Center -- members of the Notre Dame Boxing Club will square off in Semi-Final action for the right to compete for a Bengal Bouts Championship this Saturday night in the Purcell Pavillion.

If you haven't been -- it's something you must see!

The action begins tonight at 6 PM ET.  Saturday's Finals begin at 7 PM ET.  Buy your tickets now!!!

LINK:  BENGAL BOUTS HISTORY

IMPRESSIVE -- Irish Beat UCONN for TITLE!

UCONN's Geno Auriemma waves the WHITE FLAG, with three minutes to go -- as Muffet's Irish go into Hartford, CT and put a beat down on the Huskies 72 - 59!

The win - clinches sole possession of the BIG EAST regular season title for Notre Dame -- for the first time in school history!

That's THREE WINS in a row for the Fightin' Irish over UCONN.

CONGRATULATIONS!

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  ESPN RECAP

LINK:  SKYLAR DIGGINS' INTERVIEW BEFORE GAME

Sunday Was a HUGE Day for Michael Floyd!

Folks, Michael Floyd's performance yesterday at the NFL SCOUTING COMBINE -- may prove to be a life-changer for this young man from the University of Notre Dame.  Just as Coach Kelly and the University's decision to give him a "mulligan" was, this past season, after his DUI arrest.

Some draft experts think Michael may have worked his way up to a TOP TEN pick in May's 2012 NFL DRAFT.  That would be worth $ MILLIONS to Michael -- with the new NFL Rookie Wage Scale in play.

The NFL Rookie Wage Scale -- which was passed last July, has capped the amount a team can pay a rookie over the first four years of their contract.  Here's how the wage scale works:

• Top Ten Draft Picks:  Will be paid the AVERAGE of the top ten "highest paid" players at their position.
• Picks 11 - 32:  Will be paid the AVERAGE of the third to twenty-fifth "highest paid" players at their position.

Here's a link to a number of videos produced by the NFL Network yesterday of Michael's day in Indianapolis -- along with links to the media's reaction.  I'm very happy for this Notre Dame Man and his MOM!

LINK:  MICHAEL FLOYD -- NFL VIDEOS

LINK:  SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

It's Notre Dame Basketball Night on ESPN!

Looks like the programming folks in Bristol, CT have got their IRISH up!

Tonight, Notre Dame basketball fans will be treated to a "doubleheader" beginning at 7 PM ET, when Mike Brey's #20 Fightin' Irish will take on #11 Georgetown, on the road on ESPN.  Notre Dame needs to win this game to remain in sole possession of third place in the Big East.

LINK:  ND vs. GEORGETOWN GAME PREVIEW

Then at 9 PM ET, Muffet McGraw's #3 Fightin' Irish will take on #2 UCONN (also on the road) -- this game will air on ESPN2.  With a win tonight -- Notre Dame will win their first "outright" Big East Women's Basketball Championship.  Big game for the Irish!

You can't beat this for a night of television for NOTRE DAME FANS!  

Then, if you're still awake around 11 PM -- you can switch over to FOX to see the finish to the DAYTONA 500 -- if the rain stops in Florida.

Big Changes Ahead For the BCS & Bowl Games

College football's leaders met this past week in Dallas to talk about the future of college football.  What resulted is talk of a four-team "playoff" for the National Championship -- and fewer bowl games for the 2014 season.  Here's a link to the New York Times story:

LINK:  FEWER BOWLS & A PLAYOFF

Gunner Kiel -- Twitter Pic...

Notre Dame QB, Gunner Kiel "tweeted" this photo today of his locker name plate in the Guglielmino Athletics Complex.  He'll be wearing uniform #1 when the Irish run into Notre Dame Stadium -- 55 DAYS FROM TODAY -- on April 21 for the Blue Gold Game.

Dave Duerson's Family Sues NFL for His Death

The family of former Notre Dame All-American Dave Duerson filed suit this past week against the National Football League claiming the NFL did not do enough to prevent or treat concussions that severely damaged their Dad's brain.

This is a sad story.

LINK:  DUERSON FAMILY FILES LAWSUIT

Photo of the Day: Justin Tuck @ Daytona 500

Two-time Super Bowl Champion and former Notre Dame All-American, Justin Tuck '04 -- is seen here in a photo he "tweeted" this morning from Pit Lane at the Daytona 500.  Justin is standing next to his teammate Osi Umenyiora.

Floyd Runs 4.42 at NFL Scouting Combine!

Notre Dame's Michael Floyd put on a show this morning running a 4.42 forty-yard dash in Indianapolis at the NFL's Scouting Combine.  Here's a link to video of Michael's forty along with a link to his results and a Sporting News story where they're talking about Floyd possibly become a top ten pick now!

LINK:  MICHAEL FLOYD -- SCOUTING COMBINE FORTY

LINK:  TRACK MICHAEL'S RESULTS AT THE COMBINE 

LINK:  SPORTING NEWS STORY

ND a #4 Seed -- NCAA BRACKETOLOGY

ESPN's NCAA Basketball Tournament selection "guru" has Mike Brey's Notre Dame Fightin' Irish a #4 seed playing Northwestern or Texas in the First Round of next month's MARCH MADNESS.

If you'd like to see where he has the IRISH playing -- click on the link below.

LINK:  ND A NUMBER FOUR SEED

You Have to Feel Good About Chris Salvi...

Chris Salvi WAS a "walk on" football player at the University of Notre Dame the past four seasons.  He paid more than $200,000 for the honor to wear the GOLD HELMET.

Well, it was announced this week that Chris has earned a FULL SCHOLARSHIP ($55,000) for a year of GRAD SCHOOL and a fifth year of competition with the Fightin' Irish.

CONGRATULATIONS CHRIS!

Here's the story:

LINK:  CHRIS SALVI -- SCHOLARSHIP

Underwater Seismic Guns in the Great Lakes!

 

The University of Notre Dame's biology department is also home for the Great Lakes aquatics species director for the Nature Conservancy, Lindsay Chadderton. 

Chadderton and crew will be using "seismic guns" to clear rusty crayfish and round gobies (photo above) from spawning reefs in the Grand Traverse Bay where they eat fish eggs.  These seismic guns are a little 'over my head' -- so, you'll want to read the South Bend Tribune story.

LINK:  SEISMIC GUNS IN THE GREAT LAKES

West Virginia Prof Wins Notre Dame Prize!

The University of Notre Dame's 2012 Sullivan Prize was awarded yesterday to Mark Brazaitis, director of the Creative Writing Program at West Virginia University -- for his collection of stories called "The Incurables."

Brazaitis wins some cash -- but more importantly his stories will be published by the University of Notre Dame Press.

LINK:  WVU PROFESSOR WINS ND AWARD

NBA Slam Dunk Contest: Orlando Wooridge!

The only DOMER to ever compete in the NBA SLAM DUNK contest was Orlando Woolridge '81 -- in the 1984 competition. 

Unfortunately for Orlando, he competed that year against Dr. J and Dominique Wilkins -- two of the all-time great dunkers.  

Here's what the SLAM DUNK contest looked like 28 years  ago -- no props, just dunks...

LINK:  ORLANDO WOOLRIDGE

Dever Finishes Fourth in Three-Cone Drill

The University of Notre Dame's Taylor Dever is one of six DOMERS down in Indianapolis this weekend performing in front of all 32 NFL Teams at their annual SCOUTING COMBINE.  Showing off his athletic ability -- Taylor finished fourth in the three-cone drill.  Here's Taylor's results in the other tests:

• 40 yard dash:  5.49 seconds
• Bench Press:  18 reps
• Vertical:  28 inches
• 20 Yard Shuttle:  4.9 seconds

LINK:  TOP OL PERFORMERS

LINK:  TAYLOR DEVER -- SATURDAY RESULTS

Champions -- Notre Dame Women's Basketball

Muffet's Fightin' Irish played their last regular season home game this evening against a "game" University of South Florida team and it wasn't easy...

The Bulls made it a game -- but, the #3 ranked IRISH were too much in the end -- winning 80 - 68 to clinch at least a share of the Big East Conference Championship (the second in school history).

CONGRATULATIONS!

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  POST GAME PRESSER

Senior Day! -- IRISH Women's Basketball

Muffet's four person senior class (Photo L to R:  Devereaux Peters, Fraderica Miller, Natalie Novosel and Brittany Mallory) are playing their last "regular season" game at Purcell Pavillion today.  Irish fans can watch this game and the ceremony that follows -- LIVE on the web.  Game starts at 2 PM ET!

LINK:  SENIORS' LAST REGULAR SEASON HOME GAME

IRISH -- the Rodney Dangerfield of Basketball

What's it going to take for the media to give our FIGHTING IRISH the respect they have earned?

• Only one team in America has FIVE WINS over top-20 ranked teams (at the time they played):  #20 Notre Dame
• #17 Louisville, who Notre Dame beat at Louisville -- and is in seventh place in the Big East (ND is in third) is ranked AHEAD of #20 Notre Dame
• #10 Marquette, who Notre Dame beat -- and like Notre Dame has three losses in the Big East -- is ranked ahead of #20 Notre Dame
• #9 Georgetown, who is in fourth place in the Big East -- is ranked AHEAD of the third place team in the Big East #20 Notre Dame 
• #11 Michigan, #13 Baylor and #15 Florida State -- all THIRD PLACE teams (like Notre Dame) in their respective conferences are all ranked AHEAD of #20 Notre Dame.  Yet, Notre Dame plays in what is widely regarded as the BEST CONFERENCE in basketball...

Media bias (?) you be the judge.  Just keep WINNING -- the media will have no choice but to give the IRISH the respect they deserve.

LINK:  AP TOP 20 POLL

OT: Marquette Coach's Victory Dance

Marquette University's Buzz Williams almost caused a mini-riot after their 61 - 60 victory over West Virginia in Morgantown last night -- when he did a "victory dance" at center court.  Probably not the right thing to do -- which he admitted later.  Here's the video:

LINK:  MARQUETTE COACH VICTORY DANCE

Notre Dame Hockey Blanks MSU 2 - 0 !!!

Jeff Jackson's Fighting Irish shutout the Michigan State Spartans last night -- ending a five game losing streak.  Here's a link to game highlights and an interview with Coach Jackson:

LINK:  IRISH vs. SPARTANS HIGHLIGHTS

OT: Oregon Admits to Breaking the Rules...

Ever since the University of Southern California failed to take the path of admitting WRONG to their failure to control the benefits flowing to Reggie Bush and family -- and the subsequent NCAA penalties...

Schools are now "turning themselves in" for their transgressions -- in hopes the NCAA will go easy on them...

Yesterday, Oregon joined that list.  Chip Kelly's staff got caught giving a recruiting service a $25,000 bonus for the commitment of a highly rated running back.  What will the NCAA do?

LINK:  OREGON'S ADMITS TO THEIR SIN

Notre Dame Football Stars @ NFL COMBINE

 

The NFL has descended on Indianapolis for the next few days as more than three hundred of the top college football players (who are "draft eligible") will perform in front of every NFL Team at the annual SCOUTING COMBINE. 

Over the weekend, the ND GO IRISH BLOG will track how six of our former players are doing pursuing the next chapter of their lives.  Enjoy!

LINK:  TWO IRISH PLAYERS AMONG BEST AT THEIR POSITION

LINK:  ROBERT BLANTON -- COMBINE PROFILE

LINK:  TAYLOR DEVER -- COMBINE PROFILE

LINK:  DARIUS FLEMING -- COMBINE PROFILE

LINK:  MICHAEL FLOYD -- COMBINE PROFILE

LINK:  JONAS GRAY -- COMBINE PROFILE

LINK:  HARRISON SMITH -- COMBINE PROFILE

Irish Hoops on ESPN2 -- Saturday @ NOON!

Mike Brey's #18 Fighting Irish travel to the "world's most famous arena" -- MADISON SQUARE GARDEN -- to take on the St. John Red Storm.  Tip-off on ESPN2 is scheduled for NOON ET.

Here's a link to Notre Dame's men's head basketball coach, Mike Brey, talking about Saturday's contest:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME vs. ST. JOHN'S

Notre Dame to Explore Conceptions of Truth

The University of Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study will be hosting a global conference on the nature of TRUTH.  Leading TRUTH experts will be coming to campus April 12 - 14.  Should be quite a conversation -- I wonder how you'll know if anyone is not "telling the truth."

LINK:  A TRUTH CONFERENCE

ND Alum Named Chief of Spinal Surgery!

Lawrence G. Lenke, MD '82 was named Chief of Spinal Surgery in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.  Lenke will be heading up one of the finest spinal surgery units in the world.  Congratulations Larry!

LINK:  CHIEF OF SPINAL SURGERY

Notre Dame Researchers: Great Lakes Issue

To rid the Great Lakes of invasive species -- zebra mussels, spiny water fleas, etc., -- researchers at the University of Notre Dame have pegged the investment at $200 million to protect the $7 billion fishery.  The photo above is of zebra mussels.

LINK:  GREAT PROBLEM -- GREAT LAKES

Former Irish Soccer Star Makes MLS Roster!

Found this great article today about recent Notre Dame grad Greg Klazura making the MLS' Vancouver Whitecaps.  Notre Dame fans will enjoy reading this story!  That's a photo of Greg in the blue jersey...

LINK:  THE FIGHTING IRISH SPIRIT

ND to Build Environmental Research Park

The University of Notre Dame and St. Joseph County Parks have reached an agreement to turn 28 acres of underdeveloped land in St. Patrick's County Park (sounds like the perfect name for a park...) into an environmental research and education facility.

The facility will be called the Notre Dame Linked Experimental Ecosystem Facility (ND LEEF) at St. Patrick's County Park.  The University will be monitoring the effects of climate change, land use and invasive species in different ecosystems -- specifically water sources.

The University of Notre Dame is making a $1 million investment in this project.

ND LEEF will be using cutting-edge sensor technology so students and researchers can monitor experiments in real-time.  No time for sleep!

LINK:  ND LEEF

Jarious Jackson -- He's Still Playin' the Game!

A former Notre Dame QB -- that some believe would have been a perfect fit for Brian Kelly's offense -- Jarious Jackson, signed a two-year contract today with the Toronoto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.

Jackson, who starred at QB for the Irish back in 1998 & 1999 -- is 34 years old and still playing the game!

I have to admit, I completely forgot that Jarious was still in professional football.  Quite an accomplishment!

LINK:  JARIOUS JACKSON SIGNS WITH ARGOS

LINK:  CBC SPORTS

That's NINE in a Row -- But Who's Counting!

For the first time in school history -- the Notre Dame men's basketball team has won nine straight Big East basketball games.  Mike Brey's #18 ranked Fighting Irish held the West Virginia Mountaineers to only SIXTEEN POINTS in the second half -- routing Huggin's boys 71 - 44.

What looked like a game at the half -- the Irish only led by two (30 - 28) -- was over, ten minutes later.

LINK:  ESPN HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  COACH BREY POST GAME

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Digger, Bob & Reece in Town Tonight!

 

It's a good sign for Notre Dame basketball that late in February -- ESPN sends its "A TEAM" to televise your game.  Tonight Mike Brey's Fighting Irish take on Bob Huggins and his West Virginia Mountaineers in front of a national TV audience.  ESPN2 will carry the game LIVE beginning at 7 PM ET.

Notre Dame fans will recall the Irish came from behind late in the game to win at Morgantown a couple of weeks ago -- should be a great ballgame.

LINK:  COACH BREY AND HIS IRISH

Brady In Hot Water Over GQ Tebow Comments

Former Notre Dame All-American QB Brady Quinn is the subject of a GQ magazine story that has the sports world "buzzing" this evening.  Apparently, Brady said some negative things about his Denver Broncos' teammate Tim Tebow -- words that Quinn is now claiming were an "inaccurate portrayal of my comments."

I guess you can't rip on a QB that had a 46% completion percentage and a QB rating of 72.9 -- which was the 28th lowest QB rating in the NFL of the 34 QB's who played enough downs this past season to qualify -- WHEN YOU ARE HIS BACK-UP!

Here's what Brady's dealing with right now:

LINK:  NFL.COM NEWS

LINK:  NEW YORK TIMES

LINK:  NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

LINK:  CHANNEL 7 IN DENVER

LINK:  DENVER POST

Photo of the Day: New ND Face Masks!

Notre Dame defensive lineman, Chase Hounshell -- "tweeted" this photo today of the new face mask the Irish D-Line will be wearing next season.

I see a little Justin Tuck here -- it's close!

All's Well That Ends Well -- Davonte's IRISH!

It just goes to show you how tough the game of recruiting is...

Davonte Neal, the top "un-signed" high school football prospect in the nation was all set to announce his decision this morning at 11:30 AM ET -- in front of a live TV audience...

Only problem -- Davonte didn't show up.  He apparently was dealing with some "family issues" late into the night and morning -- and wasn't able to make the announcement at the scheduled time.

Thankfully around 4 PM ET today -- Davonte contacted Coach Kelly and told him the great news -- that he was going to play football for the University of Notre Dame.

Davonte Neal is a special talent -- he has the ability to change direction at full-speed, much like a young man did twenty-years ago in a GOLD HELMET -- named "Rocket."

Here's the initial media reaction to the news -- along with Coach Kelly's comments:

LINK:  COACH KELLY ON DAVONTE NEAL

LINK:  SI.COM

LINK:  SB NATION -- ARIZONA

LINK:  ESPN BLOG 

LINK:  ESPN -- MATT FORTUNA (ND BLOGGER)

LINK:  MAX PREPS

LINK:  DISGRUNTLED ARIZONA REPORTER

Watch Davonte Neal LIVE at 11 AM ET

America's top "unsigned" high school prep star, Davonte Neal, will be making his college choice this morning LIVE on FoxSports Arizona.  FoxSports' coverage begins at 11 AM ET -- with Neal's announcement expected around 11:30 AM ET.

The Chaparral High School (Scottsdale, AZ) star decided to make this announcement from the elementary school he attended; Kyrene de la Esperanza Elementary.

The four finalists in the Davonte Neal sweepstakes are;  Arizona, Arkansas, North Carolina and the University of Notre Dame.  Most feel it will be a choice between the home state Arizona Wildcats and our Fighting Irish.  TUNE IN!!!

LINK:  WATCH DAVONTE NEAL'S ANNOUNCEMENT LIVE -- RIGHT HERE!

Tucson Citizen Predicts Davonte Neal to ND!

The top "unsigned" high school football prospect in the country -- Davonte Neal -- makes his announcement tomorrow morning at 9:30 AM MST.  It's apparently a four team race:  Arizona, Arkansas, North Carolina and the University of Notre Dame.

Just 30 minutes ago the folks at the Tucson Citizen published a story where they're predicting Davonte will commit to the IRISH in the morning!  Here's hoping they're right!

If you haven't seen Davonte Neal's recruiting video -- YOU MUST -- he would be the closest thing to Rocket Ismail (in a GOLD HELMET) in the last twenty years.

LINK:  TUCSON CITIZEN STORY

LINK:  DAVONTE NEAL -- ONE GAME HIGHLIGHT PACKAGE

LINK:  ESPN RECRUITING PROFILE

Nice Story About Niele' Ivey - ND Hoops Asst.

Notre Dame women's assistant coach and former hoops star, Niele' Ivey was profiled in a newspaper story this weekend in her hometown of St. Louis (MO).  A nice story -- Irish fans will enjoy reading.

LINK:  NIELE' IVEY -- ALL CLASS

ND Men Win Track & Field Championships!

Notre Dame's Men's Team won the Big East Indoor Track & Field Championships today -- with the Atkinson twins playing a major role.  George Atkinson took 3rd in the 200 meters and 9th in the 60 meters while brother Josh took 5th in the 60 meters and 6th in the 200 Meters.

Notre Dame won three events: Patrick Feeney (Indianapolis, IN) won the 400 meters, Jeremy Rae (Fort Erie, ONT) won the Mile and Kevin Schipper (Leo, IN) won the pole vault!  CONGRATULATIONS IRISH!

LINK:  FINAL RESULTS

The Mornin' After ND's Improbable OT Win!

Mike Brey's "never say quit" Fighting Irish extended their Big East win streak to eight straight last night after erasing a twenty-point deficit, on the road, against Villanova to win in OT!

If you were following the "twitter" conversation -- amongst Notre Dame fans during the game -- the Irish' win streak was over...

Thank goodness cell phones and iPads aren't allowed on the IRISH bench!

Here's a look at what the media has to say after Notre Dame's 74 - 70 OT victory over Villanova:


LINK:  COACH BREY POST GAME PRESSER 

LINK:  IRISH vs. VILLANOVA GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  ESPN BLOG

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

LINK:  WASHINGTON POST

LINK:  CBS SPORTS

LINK:  COMCAST SPORTS NET PHILADELPHIA

Down By Twenty -- IRISH DON'T BLINK!

The #23 Fighting Irish were down by twenty points in their game tonight on the road at Villanova...


No problem -- the IRISH win it in OVERTIME 74 - 70!

That's EIGHT-IN-A-ROW for the 2nd place team in the Big East -- the team we all thought COULDN'T...

Seven three-pointers for freshman sensation Pat Connaughton -- the MOST IMPROVED UNKNOWN player in the country.  That's him in the photo...

Congratulations Coach Brey and your FIGHTING IRISH -- the Notre Dame Nation is thrilled for you!


LINK:  ESPN BOX SCORE

#9 Irish LAX beats #2 Duke Today!

Not a bad way to start the Lacrosse season -- OUTDOORS @ NOTRE DAME -- as the Irish knocked off the Duke Blue Devils 7 - 3. 

Here's a link to UND.COM's coverage:

LINK:  IRISH BEAT DUKE

Irish Basketball on ESPNU Tonight -- 9 PM ET

The #23 ranked Fighting Irish of Notre Dame travel to Philadelphia tonight to take on Villanova.  Irish fans can watch the game live on ESPNU or on the web at ESPN3 -- tip-off scheduled for 9 AM ET. 

GO IRISH!

LINK:  MIKE BREY -- VILLANOVA PREVIEW

LINK:  WATCH THE IRISH LIVE ON THE WEB

Who Needs the Hook'em Horns Sign...

When you can have:  ND IN YOUR HANDS!

Saw this first in a photo of Irish football recruits at the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl in Phoenix last month.

Showing us how to make a ND in your hands is Nicky Baratti (out of Texas) -- who signed with the Irish on National Signing Day.  Thanks Nicky!

Try it yourself -- it's not as easy as it looks...

Domer Dens -- You Have Got to See This!

I thought I had a pretty cool Notre Dame "Man Cave" -- until I saw this new feature on UND.COM

WOW -- is all I can say about Dick Wilson's basement!

LINK: DOMER DENS -- WAIT 'TIL YOU SEE THIS

Kiper: Harrison Smith to Packers in 1st Round!

NFL Draft guru -- Mel Kiper, Jr. (who's a Notre Dame fan) -- has Irish football star Harrison Smith going to the Green Bay Packers in the FIRST ROUND of his latest mock draft.

Who would have thought this was even possible,  just two years ago, when Coach Weis and crew had him playing linebacker.

Harrison and his family must be so excited right now!  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  HARRISON SMITH A NFL FIRST ROUNDER