Diggin's Diary -- Talkin' the NCAA Tournament

University of Notre Dame's Skylar Diggins -- continues her diary for ESPNW, from Utah.  Here's a link to her story:

LINK:  DIGGIN'S DIARY

Muffet's Irish on ESPN2 Today at 6:35 PM!

The other #2 seeded Fighting Irish of Notre Dame basketball team gets their NCAA Tournament run started this afternoon at 6:35 PM EDT on ESPN2.  The Irish take on the #15 seeded Utah -- on the Utes home floor.  (The photo above is courtesy of the South Bend Tribune -- showing the Irish at practice yesterday) Here's a link to the GAME NOTES for today's game:

LINK:  GAME NOTES:  IRISH vs. UTES

Scott & Martin -- Lead the Irish to Victory!

It wasn't easy, it wasn't pretty (14 turnovers) -- yet, it was a WIN.  The Akron Head Coach -- in an interview with a TBS courtside reporter -- called out the IRISH in his 'post half time' comments.  He inferred the IRISH played "soft" on the inside -- and they did, in the first half.

Not in the second!!!

Scott Martin got off to a fast start in the second half on the offensive end -- and Carleton Scott took control of the defensive boards as the Irish cruised to a 69 - 56 win.  It's now on to play the winner of Florida State vs. Texas A&M on Sunday.  GO IRISH!

LINK:  NCAA FAN FEED

Irish Up 4 @ Halftime -- Over Akron...

A "shaky" first half for the Fighting Irish -- if they don't hit the backboards better, it's going to be a long ride home to South Bend this evening.  Leading by eleven early -- the halftime score is 34 - 30.  It's being televised on TBS.  C'MON IRISH!

Graduation Success Rates -- NCAA Tournament

I took a look at the 64 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament teams -- and compiled their Graduation Success Rate by Region, giving them a new seeding based on their GSR.  Here's some of the highlights -- along with a link below to a Washington Post story on graduation rates of the teams in the Tournament:

• Seven (7) Teams have a perfect GSR of 100 -- and you have Princeton who is not GSR rated by the NCAA
• Thirteen (13) Teams have a GSR of under 50
• The Region that "graduates the most student-athletes" is the Southeast Region -- with an average GSR of 72.13
• The Region that "graduates the fewest student-athletes" is the West Region -- with an average GSR of 56.81
• The Second Round Game with the greatest disparity in GSR is the Notre Dame's 100 GSR vs. Akron's 38 GSR
• The Second Round Game between BYU vs. Wofford matched two teams with 100 GSR's
• The Second Round Game with the worst combined GSR is Michigan's 36 GSR vs. Tennessee's 40 GSR
• Here's the average GSR for the (5) Southeast Conference teams in the Tournament:  51.4 GSR
• Here's the average GSR for the (7) Big Ten teams in the Tournament:  67.57 GSR
• Here's the average GSR for the (11) Big East teams in the Tournament:  69.27 GSR
• Here's the average GSR for the (3) Pac 10 Conference teams in the Tournament:  44.67 GSR
• Here's the average GSR for the (4) ACC teams in the Tournament:  78.75 GSR
• Here's the average GSR for the (5) Big 12 teams in the Tournament:  54 GSR

EAST REGION
#1:  Princeton -- IVY LEAGUE
#2:  Villanova -- 100 GSR
#3:  Xavier -- 92 GSR
#4:  Marquette -- 91 GSR
#5:  North Carolina -- 88 GSR
#6:  Long Island -- 78 GSR
#7:  West Virginia -- 71 GSR
#8:  Clemson -- 71 GSR
#9:  George Mason -- 67 GSR
#10:  Indiana State -- 67 GSR
#12:  Ohio State -- 64 GSR
#13:  Syracuse -- 54 GSR
#14:  University of Texas San Antonio -- 50 GSR
#15:  Kentucky -- 44 GSR
#16:  Georgia -- 36 GSR

SOUTHWEST REGION
#1:  Notre Dame -- 100 GSR
#2:  Illinois -- 100 GSR
#3:  Vanderbilt -- 93 GSR
#4:  Boston U -- 90 GSR
#5:  Richmond -- 83 GSR
#6:  Kansas -- 80 GSR
#7:  Georgetown -- 78 GSR
#8:  Florida State -- 73 GSR
#9:  St. Peter's -- 70 GSR
#10:  Purdue -- 67 GSR
#11:  UNLV -- 67 GSR
#12:  Texas A&M -- 64 GSR
#13:  VCU -- 56 GSR
#14:  Louisville -- 50 GSR
#15:  Moorehead State -- 43 GSR
#16:  Akron -- 38 GSR

SOUTHEAST REGION
#1:  BYU -- 100 GSR
#2:  Utah State -- 100 GSR
#3:  Belmont -- 100 GSR
#4:  Wofford -- 100 GSR
#5:  Butler -- 83 GSR
#6:  UC Santa Barbara -- 77 GSR
#7:  Gonzaga -- 73 GSR
#8:  Wisconsin -- 70 GSR
#9:  St. John's -- 70 GSR
#10 UCLA -- 70 GSR
#11:  Pittsburgh -- 64 GSR
#12:  Old Dominion -- 63 GSR
#13:  Michigan State -- 50 GSR
#14: UNC Asheville -- 50 GSR
#15:  Florida -- 44 GSR
#16:  Kansas State -- 40 GSR

WEST REGION
#1:  Univ. North Colorado -- 92 GSR
#2:  Bucknell -- 91 GSR
#3:  Penn State -- 86 GSR
#4:  Duke -- 83 GSR
#5:  Oakland -- 75 GSR
#6:  Hampton -- 67 GSR
#7:  San Diego State -- 58 GSR
#8:  Memphis -- 58 GSR
#9:  Cincinnati -- 53 GSR
#10:  Missouri -- 44 GSR
#11:  Texas -- 42 GSR
#12:  Tennessee -- 40 GSR
#13:  Michigan -- 36 GSR
#14:  Temple -- 33 GSR
#15:  UCONN -- 31 GSR
#16:  Arizona -- 20 GSR

LINK:  WASHINGTON POST STORY -- GRADUATION RATES

Skylar Diggins -- Her Diary on ESPNW

Notre Dame Women's Basketball's sophomore sensation -- Skylar Diggins, is publishing her own diary on ESPNW these days.  The fun began yesterday -- as she posted a story about the last two days since SELECTION MONDAY for the Women's NCAA Basketball Tournament.  I'm guessing she'll be publishing a story from "time to time" during the tournament.  Here's a link to her first story:

LINK:  DIGGIN'S DIARY

It's Notre Dame Day @ VERSUS

In honor of St. Patrick's Day -- I'M JUST GUESSING -- the good folks at the VERSUS cable network will air an afternoon and evening (six straight hours) of CLASSIC NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL games.  The fun begins at 5 PM EDT -- today with the 1992 "Snow Bowl" versus Penn State followed two hours later by the "Bush Push" game in 2005 vs. USC and at 9 PM the "#1 vs. #2" game in 1993 vs. Florida State.  So, forget the NCAA Tournament -- the IRISH play tomorrow -- tune-in to ND Football!  And, while you're at it -- click on the link below and vote for your "10 Most Memorable Moments on NBC."

LINK:   10 MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS ON NBC

Notre Dame -- Starring in Adidas TV Spot!

Adidas -- the official partner of Notre Dame Athletics -- showed their hand two weeks ago when they chose the University of Notre Dame to star in their new TV commercials.  That "school in Ann Arbor" made a claim a few years back that they "have the best deal with Adidas."  Really?  If that was the case Michigan -- why aren't you starring in these ads with Katy Perry?  Here's a link:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME "ALL IN" WITH ADIDAS

ND Law Grads -- Among Highest Paid!

Forbes just released a ranking of the "mid-career" salaries of law school grads -- from the top law schools in America.  Notre Dame Law School grads -- ranked 10th overall with a "median" mid career salary of $191,000.  Here's a link to the top ten schools:

LINK:  FORBES:  RANKING OF SALARIES OF LAW SCHOOL GRADS

Charlie Weis -- Meets With the Media

Former Notre Dame Football Coach, Charlie Weis '78 -- met with the media today for the first time wearing the colors of the Florida Gators.  You can catch Weis at approximately 33.30 minute mark of the video.  Just fast forward to that point. 

LINK:  WEIS TALKIN' GATORS

Muffet's Irish -- Also a #2 Seed in NCAA!

Not a bad year -- so far -- for basketball at the University of Notre Dame.  Both teams have been consistently ranked in the TOP TEN in 2011 and in the past two days -- both teams were given a #2 seed for their respective NCAA Tournaments.  The only "unfortunate" break seems to be that Muffet's Irish have to travel to Salt Lake City to take on UTAH -- and ND's one of the top seeds in the tournament.  Doesn't make much sense does it!?  Well, here's what the media has to say about Notre Dame Women's Basketball's chances:

LINK:  SALT LAKE CITY'S DESERET NEWS

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

LINK:  ESPN

Irish Obstacles -- Road to the Final Four

For the #2 Seeded Fighting Irish of Notre Dame -- here's what the road to the FINAL FOUR (the first four opponents) -- could look like, if the Top Seeds in the Southwest Region win their games:

1. Round Two:  Akron (23 - 12) -- no common opponents with the Irish
2. Round Three:  Texas A&M (24 - 8) -- no common opponents with the Irish
3. Round Four:  Purdue (25 - 7) -- Indiana State, West Virginia and Wisconsin common opponents with the Irish
4. Round Five:  Kansas (32 - 2) -- no common opponents with the Irish

It won't be easy -- but, it's also not impossible for Notre Dame to make its first FINAL FOUR appearance since 1978!  Game One -- this Friday night against Akron!!!  Here's a link to a story that gives an overview of what's ahead for Notre Dame:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S ROAD TO THE FINAL FOUR

Notre Dame "Selection Sunday" Show

Here's a link to UND.COM's coverage of Notre Dame basketball's "Selection Sunday" -- you'll enjoy!

LINK:  COACH BREY

LINK:  HANSBROUGH & SCOTT

LINK:  ABROMAITIS

Notre Dame a #2 Seed -- NCAA TOURNAMENT!

The University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish were awarded for a fantastic year this evening with a #2 seed in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.  While it looked like the Irish would get a #1 seed after Pitt's early exit from the Big East Tournament -- the NCAA Selection Committee gave Pitt a #1 seed (awarding them for their regular season) and apparently moved Duke into a #1 seed after their ACC Tournament win -- bumping the Irish out of that spot.  Obviously, ND's loss to Louisville Friday night -- did them in.  Oh well, it's just a number in front of your name -- it won't score you any more points or grab you any more rebounds.  It's time to play ball -- and the IRISH will get going on Friday night in Chicago against the Akron Zips in the Southwest Region.  The #1 seed in the Southwest Region is Kansas.  Looks like the Irish were ranked 6th overall -- based on their draw.  GO IRISH!

LINK:  NCAA TOURNAMENT BRACKET

Zibby Wins Fight in First Round!!!

Former Notre Dame football star and current Baltimore Raven safety -- Tommy Zbikowski, returned to the boxing ring in Las Vegas last night and the referee stopped the fight 1:45 into the first round!  As you'll see in the photo -- Zibby knocked down his opponent.  Here's a link to the South Bend Tribune story:

LINK:  ZIBBY WINS FIGHT!

NCAA "Selection Sunday" -- CBS at 6 PM EST!

This evening at 6 PM EST -- the world will know what seed the NCAA Tournament Committee has given the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.  I was feeling good a bout a #1 seed until I saw a show last night that listed ND's RPI at #7.  However, ESPN's Joe Lunardi -- still has the IRISH a #1 seed playing in the Southeast Region -- with their first round games in CHICAGO!!!  I believe the worst case scenario -- the IRISH end up a #2 seed -- and, are put in the West Region because of their drawing power and the lack of top teams on the "left coast."  Ironically, the Chairman of the NCAA Tournament Committee is a "domer" -- Gene Smith, the Athletic Director at The Ohio State University.  Here's what the media believe the NCAA will do today at 6 PM EST on CBS:

LINK:  ESPN's BRACKETOLOGY

LINK:  CBS SPORTS

LINK:  LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL

LINK:  THE EXAMINER

LINK:  PITTSBURGH POST GAZETTE

LINK:  FORT WAYNE JOURNAL

Tough Loss -- Still a #1 Seed!!!

It's taken me about fourteen hours to get over that second half performance of the Irish.  Wow -- the Louisville press just wore them out.  And, our "star" picked the wrong night to have his most difficult game of the season.  However, I still think the convincing win over Cincinnati gets them a #1 seed.  We'll know in about 27 hours.  Here's what the media is saying today about our Irish:

LINK:  NEW YORK TIMES

LINK:  LEXINGTON HERALD LEDGER

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

WOW! Irish Beat Bearcats 89 - 51 !!!

Well, the Irish just might have secured a #1 seed last night on the floor of Madison Square Garden -- as they destroyed the Cincinnati Bearcats 89 - 51 in the 2nd most lopsided loss in Big East Tournament history!  WOW!!!  Here's what the media is sayin' this morning:

LINK:  ESPN

LINK:  ESPN #2

LINK:  NEW YORK TIMES

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

Does a Win Tonight -- Secure a #1 Seed?

With UCONN's upset this afternoon of Pittsburgh -- the door has been opened for Notre Dame to secure a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1979!  The question now is -- will it require one win, two wins or three wins in the Big East Tournament?  I'm betting it will require two wins for Notre Dame to secure a #1 seed -- we'll know Sunday night!!!

What Makes Notre Dame -- Notre Dame!!!

You're going to enjoy this story in today's New York Times -- it was authored by former ND basketball player Zach Hillesland.  First off -- it's well written, not a surprise.  And, Zach tells a good story.  I want to thank Mike Sullivan (a Domer working for Notre Dame) -- for alerting the ND GO IRISH BLOG to this story.  You're going to enjoy!

LINK:  YEAH, NOTRE DAME IS GOOD!