#2 Irish Roll Over #9 Tennessee 72 - 44!

After a first half that would best be classified as SLOPPY -- Muffet's IRISH put away the Tennessee Vols with a second half burst that carried Notre Dame to a lopsided victory.  It just goes to show you how good this year's edition of the Fighting Irish is -- they played one half of basketball and beat the #9 team in the country by 28 points.

It was a special moment before the game when the Notre Dame crowd gave the all-time winningest coach in college basketball history, Tennessee's Pat Summitt, a very warm welcome when she was introduced.  Coach Summitt is fighting a very public battle with dementia -- a tough fight for a proud lady.  I know ND fans join me in wishing her all the best.

Here's a link to the game recap from ESPN and highlights from UND.COM:

LINK:  IRISH ROLL OVER VOLS

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Irish vs. Volunteers -- ESPN2's Big Monday!

Our #2 ranked Fighting Irish take on the #9 ranked Lady Vols tonight at 7 PM ET on ESPN2.  The perennial powers will be playing at Notre Dame's Purcell Pavillion.  The Irish have only beaten Tennessee once in women's basketball in 21 games -- that victory came last season.  Will Muffet add to her winning streak against Pat Summitt...  I believe she will!

LINK:  GAME NOTES

Photo of the Day: Sergio's Super Bowl Bound!

Domer Sergio Brown just "tweeted" this photo of him laying on the field at Gillette Stadium -- hours after he and his New England Patriot teammates earned a trip to Indianapolis, next week, to play in Super Bowl XLVI after beating the Baltimore Ravens 23 - 20.

Congratulations Sergio!

Hoops Across America -- Visits Notre Dame!

The folks at ESPNW are visiting sixteen college women's hoops programs -- and this week it was Notre Dame.  Here's a look at their story entitled "Love of the Irish drives volunteers."

LINK:  HOOPS ACROSS AMERICA

Coach Paterno, May You Rest In Peace...

Penn State University's "COACH" Joe Paterno, passed away this morning at the age of 85.  Here's a link to the ESPN & CNN stories along with a link to a FACEBOOK page where you can share your thoughts about Coach Paterno.

LINK:  ESPN STORY

LINK:  FACEBOOK PAGE

LINK:  CNN COVERAGE -- FANS MOURN PATERNO'S DEATH

Mornin' After Last Night's Historic Win!

For the eighth time in the 107 year history of Notre Dame basketball -- the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame beat the top ranked team in college basketball -- the seventh time at PURCELL PAVILLION.  Here's the highlights from ND's 67 - 58 win over Syracuse -- as well as links to what the media is sayin' about the game:

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE STORY #1

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE STORY #2

LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE

LINK:  ASSOCIATED PRESS

LINK:  SYRACUSE POST STANDARD

LINK:  SYRACUSE STUDENT NEWSPAPER

Where #1 Goes to LOSE! -- WOW!!!

Nine times in the 107 year history of Notre Dame basketball, the #1 team in the nation has come to campus to play the IRISH.  And, now SEVEN OUT OF NINE TIMES -- the IRISH BEAT #1!

My wife Susan and I are spending our first weekend at Notre Dame (after starting the new job at ND on Monday) and we watched the IRISH beat MICHIGAN (3 - 1) last night in hockey at a sold-out Compton Family Ice Arena...

And, we just watched the IRISH beat undefeated and #1 SYRACUSE (67 - 58) in a sold-out Purcell Pavillion!  The eighth time Notre Dame has beaten a #1 in basketball -- which ties them for fourth all time!

What a first weekend on the job!

The photo was taken by Susan at game's end -- what a scene!

GO IRISH!

LINK:  ESPN BLOG STORY

LINK:  LOCKER ROOM AFTER BIG WIN!

LINK:  COACH BREY PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  IRISH CONNECTION RECAP -- YOU'LL LOVE THIS!

Irish vs. #1 Syracuse: 6 PM ET on ESPN

Mike Brey's Fighting Irish take on their toughest test this evening when Jim Boeheim's (pictured) #1 ranked and undefeated -- Syracuse Orangemen come to Purcell Pavillion.  The game tips off at 6 PM ET TODAY on ESPN.

As I sit here (writing this blog post) ESPN's "High Def" production trucks are rolling onto campus.  Should be quite the show!

Here's a story published this morning by the Syracuse Post Standard -- you'll enjoy!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME -- WHERE #1 TEAMS GO TO LOSE

Will Twitter Take a College Dream Away?

A high school football star in New Jersey (ranked #40 in the country by ESPN) finds himself expelled from his high school and possibly off the recruitable lists of many of the top colleges in America for a series of "tweets" on the TWITTER social media channel.

Notre Dame is one of the schools that has been recruiting Yuri Wright -- a Army All-American DB out of Don Bosco Prep.

Here's a link to the ESPN.COM story about Yuri Wright's situation:

LINK:  A TWITTER OUTCOME

Photo of the Day: Snow & The Dome!

This photo of the University of Notre Dame's Main Building (back side) -- was "tweeted" tonight by Geoff Barcus @notoriousgnb

Irish Hockey Breaks Michigan's 9 Game Streak!

Jeff Jackson's #6 ranked Fighting Irish beat the #10 Michigan Wolverines 3 -1 tonight in front of a sold-out crowd at the Compton Family Ice Arena.  The win moves the Irish into a tie with Michigan for 3rd or 4th place in the CCHA, depending on how Lake Superior fared this evening.  It was also the first loss for Michigan in their last nine games.  Congratulations Irish! 

LINK:  COACH JACKSON POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE

LINK:  IRISH / MICHIGAN HOCKEY HIGHLIGHTS FROM NBC

The First Time In 24 Years -- #1 Is In Town!

Syracuse University's #1 ranked basketball team comes into Notre Dame's Purcell Pavillion tomorrow night -- marking the first time in 24 years that a #1 ranked team has come into town to play the Irish basketball team.

Now, believe it or not -- the ODDS are in Notre Dame's favor that we'll UPSET #1 in our building.

Over the years, EIGHT teams have come into South Bend ranked #1 -- and on SIX occasions -- the IRISH were VICTORIOUS!  So, lookout Syracuse!

Here's a link to a look-back at #1's coming into Purcell Pavillion:

LINK:  #1 GOES HOME WITH A LOSS!

Will Kansas Change Its Colors to Blue & Gold?

 

In a matter of just a few weeks, former Notre Dame football coach Charlie Weis '79 has turned the Kansas Jayhawk football program into the Notre Dame Club of Lawrence (KS). 

As of today, there are seven (7) former ND football players and coaches learning "ROCK CHOCK JAYHAWK:"

• Charlie Weis '79
• Ron Powlus '97
• Tim Grunhard '90
• Rob Ianello (ND Coach 2005 - 2009)
• Mo Crum '09
• Dayne Crist '12
• Mike Ragone '11

LINK:  KANSAS FOOTBALL ROSTER

SI Feature: ND's Only NBA Head Coach

Sports Illustrated published a story today on former ND basketball star Monty Williams '94.  Williams is the head coach of the NBA's New Orleans Hornets -- a team that was ravaged during the NBA's extended off-season.  In his second year in the NBA's "first seat" -- Monty is facing a challenge most couldn't handle.  You'll enjoy this story.

LINK:  MONTY WILLIAMS -- A ND MAN

Golden Tate the Only "Perfect" WR in NFL!

The folks at PRO FOOTBALL FOCUS have just released a statistic on "catchable" balls this season and former Notre Dame All-American Golden Tate (Seattle Seahawks) is the only NFL wide receiver who CAUGHT EVERY CATCHABLE BALL THROWN TO HIM this season!

Think about that!

Seattle Seahawk QB's threw 35 "catchable" balls to Golden this season and he caught every single one.  To people who follow this kind of stuff -- they're not surprised -- since Golden only dropped one catchable ball in his rookie season.

ONE DROP IN TWO SEASONS IN THE NFL!

Here's a link to the stats on "catchable" balls

LINK:  CALL HIM MR. PERFECT!

Kelly Hires Son of Former Michigan Coach

It appears Brian Kelly has now filled all of the open spots on his coaching staff.  The story broke today that Bobby Elliott, son of former Michigan head football coach Bump Elliott -- will be joining the Notre Dame football coaching staff as early as this week.

Elliott, is expected to coach the Irish defensive backs -- a position group he's coached at a number of schools.  Ironically, two of his former players are on the staff he'll be joining;  Bob Diaco and Kerry Cooks.

The three new coaches joining Brian Kelly's staff;  Scott Booker (wide receivers or running backs), Harry Hiestand (offensive line) and Elliott (defensive backs).

Here's a link to the Des Moines Register story about Elliott's move to ND:

LINK:  BOBBY ELLIOTT TO JOIN IRISH STAFF

Domer Retires After 16 Year MLB Career!

Notre Dame alum, Craig Counsell '92 announced his retirement yesterday after a "championship" 16-year career in Major League Baseball.  The former Fighting Irish baseball MVP earned World Series rings with the Florida Marlins in 1997 and with the Arizona Diamonbacks in 2007 -- the first and only World Series titles for both franchises.

Craig's Dad John '64, is a former player and assistant coach with the Notre Dame baseball program.

Counsell has accepted a position in the front office of his hometown Milwaukee Brewers -- the last of five National Leagues teams (Colorado, Florida, Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona and Milwaukee) he played for.

Here's a link to Craig's retirement press conference:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME BASEBALL STAR

LINK:  CRAIG'S CAREER STATS

Muffet's Irish "Put 120" on the Pitt Panthers!

How do you score 120 points in a college basketball game against a legitimate Division 1 program?

Well, Muffet McGraw's #2 ranked team know the answer to that question!

Last night the Lady Irish roared pass Pittsburgh 120 - 44.  And, to think this isn't the highest scoring night for Notre Dame this season.  That took place 19 days ago when the Irish scored 124 in a rout of Mercer in Atlanta.

Last night's victory margin -- 76 points is the largest ever for ND over a Big East opponent.  The Irish set or tied six school records:

1. Most field goals made:  48 -- also a Big East record for most field goals made in the regular season, old record was 46 by Providence back in 1986
2. Margin of victory in Big East game: 76 points 
3. Margin of victory in a home game:  76 points  (tied a record set last January)
4. Most points in a home game:  120 points
5. Most points in a Big East game:  120 points
6. Most players in double figures:  Eight (tied a record set in 2009)

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE

Next Up for the IRISH -- The Armstead Men!

 

Armond and Arik Armstead are back at their California home tonight, mulling over the decision on what school they will enroll (in the next few days) for the Spring semester!

It appears the race is down to Notre Dame or Auburn -- with many feeling pretty good about ND's chances.  Here's why ND fans should be excited about this pending news:

• Armond Armstead -- is a USC grad who was not cleared to play football this past season for the Trojans due to a medical situation.  Armond is a 6'-5" 290 lb. defensive lineman.  He started 17 games for USC, primarily at the defensive end position.  After Armond's junior year at USC, he was rated as a second or third round NFL pick.  Armond has one year of eligibility remaining.
• Arik Armstead -- is rated by Scout as the #1 OT prospect in the country and the #4 DL prospect in the country by Rivals.  At 6'-8" and  275 lbs., Arik is also being recruited by ND's basketball coach Mike Brey to player power forward for the Irish.  Arik is a big-time talent!  Here's a link to his highlight video.

Here's a few links to some of the stories on their recruitment.   Don't be surprised if we know as early as tomorrow if they're both IRISH!  Stay tuned!!!

LINK:  NBC SPORTS

LINK:  THE BIRMINGHAM PRESS

LINK:  MAX PREPS

LINK:  WNDU-TV

Dayne Crist -- New KU QB Media Session

Former ND QB, Dayne Crist '12 -- met with the media yesterday, as the three "big transfers" into the Jayhawk football program took questions for the first time.  Here's a link:

LINK:  DAYNE CRIST WITH THE MEDIA