For only the third time in history -- all four #1 seeds are in the FINAL FOUR. Should be an interesting weekend in Tampa!
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
ESPN Looks Ahead to Women's Final Four
For only the third time in history -- all four #1 seeds are in the FINAL FOUR. Should be an interesting weekend in Tampa!
Monday, March 30, 2015
Video of Jimmy Clausen's Wedding
Notre Dame fans will recognize a few faces in this video of Jimmy Clausen's wedding -- quite the event!
Kentucky Players Talk Notre Dame Game...
Willie Cauley-Stein & Tyler Ulis
Dakari Johnson & Trey Lyles
Inside Access to Notre Dame's Elite Eight Win!
The Fighting Irish beat Baylor again -- in an Elite Eight game -- earning the program's FIFTH STRAIGHT trip to the Final Four!
Spring Practice: Notre Dame Football Update
Here's a look inside Notre Dame's practice today.
Now I've been a big fan of Fighting Irish Digital Media since day one...
However, I can't say I'm a fan of the abbreviated practice reports lately. Would like to see more action, less commentary. I'm guessing Coach Kelly pulled back the reins a little on access?
Domer Ian Kole "Mic'd Up" -- NHL Hockey Game
Former Notre Dame student-athlete Ian Kole is a forward for the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins -- he was recently "mic'd up" during a game. ENJOY!
ND Women's Basketball Post Game Presser
Muffet McGraw, Madison Cable, Jewell Loyd and Lindsay Allen met with the media after last night's big win over Baylor to secure a fifth straight trip to the FINAL FOUR!
Game Highlights -- Notre Dame 77 - Baylor 68
Here's a look at some of the highlights from last night's ELITE EIGHT win for the FIGHTING IRISH -- their fifth trip in a row to the FINAL FOUR!
Lindsay Allen Named NCAA Regional MVP!
Here's ESPN's post game interview of Notre Dame's Lindsay Allen. Lindsay scored 25 points, dished out 7 assists, grabbed 5 rebounds and had 4 assists in the Fighting Irish's 77 - 68 win over Baylor.
Sunday, March 29, 2015
FINAL FOUR for the FIFTH YEAR IN A ROW!
Muffet McGraw's Fighting Irish just clinched a FIFTH STRAIGHT trip to the FINAL FOUR -- beating Baylor 77 - 68!
TAMPA -- HERE COME THE IRISH!!!
35 - 2 in a rebuilding year.
Lindsay Allen led Notre Dame with 23 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds and 4 steals and was named the Oklahoma Regional MVP! Congrats Lindsay!
LINK: GAME HIGHLIGHTS
LINK: NOTRE DAME DOING THE IRISH JIG
Notre Dame Has Most Wins Against Final Four
The Final Four teams played a combined 151 games this season -- on the ROAD TO INDIANAPOLIS.
And, there was ONE TEAM that won more games against these FINAL FOUR TEAMS than any other basketball team in the country -- NOTRE DAME.
Notre Dame went 3 - 1 against the FINAL FOUR teams in the NCAA National Basketball Championship. No other team won more games against Duke, Michigan State, Wisconsin and Kentucky.
ND Fans Welcome the Fighting Irish Back Home
Coach Brey said a few words to the assembled crowd as the Fighting Irish returned back to campus...
Cable TV Ratings -- Highest in CBB History!!!
The Notre Dame vs. Kentucky game earned the highest overnight rating in the history of cable TV for a college basketball game.
And people still question why Notre Dame has its "own seat" at the table with all of the conferences at NCAA meetings.
LINK: TV RATINGS RECORD
ESPNW Interview of Notre Dame's Jewell Loyd
Muffet's Fighting Irish take on the Baylor Bears and their colorful coach Kim Mulkey -- tonight on ESPN at 8:30 PM ET.
Vegas has Notre Dame as 5 1/2 point favorites to earn a FIFTH STRAIGHT TRIP to the FINAL FOUR!
Kentucky's Calipari After Win Over Notre Dame
Kentucky's Calipari with the media in the post game press conference -- he toned down his rhetoric -- a little.
ACC Network: A Look at Notre Dame's Season
The ACC Network's Jeff Fischel and Jason Capel take a look back at Notre Dame's special season.
Media -- Mornin' After Our Loss to Kentucky
It was a season we never wanted to end -- not like that...
I have to admit I went numb when Jerian's "double clutch" jumper didn't go in at the buzzer -- however, that quickly changed when I wanted to jump through my TV screen after the Kentucky coach as he was being interviewed at game's end. That's another story...
What a night -- what a season.
So, here I am on a Palm Sunday morning -- went to Mass yesterday -- and I'm looking through all of the post game media coverage. I can't convince myself to read it -- maybe you can:
LINK: SPORTING NEWS
LINK: NEW YORK TIMES
LINK: ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION
LINK: WALL STREET JOURNAL
LINK: SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
ESPN: "Notre Dame's Pain of Coming Close"
ESPN's Jay Bilas and Jay Williams talk Kentucky's 68 - 66 win over Notre Dame...
Notre Dame Fans Cheer on Irish in Cleveland!
ABC57 News - See the Difference Michiana
It's been a great run these last few weeks -- was always envious of schools like Michigan State, Louisville, etc., -- who made long NCAA Tournament runs...
Now we know what it feels like.
It's been a great run these last few weeks -- was always envious of schools like Michigan State, Louisville, etc., -- who made long NCAA Tournament runs...
Now we know what it feels like.
WSBT-TV Notre Dame Locker Room Coverage
Here is WSBT-TV's post game coverage -- with many players and Mike Brey -- after the loss to Kentucky.
LINK: WSBT-TV
WNDU-TV Coverage After ND's Loss Last NIght
Here's what I could find this morning from the local NBC affiliate WNDU-TV -- as they went into the locker room after the game to interview our Fighting Irish.
Notre Dame Meets With Media After NCAA Loss
Mike Brey, Zach Auguste and Steve Vasturia met with the media after Notre Dame's 68 - 66 loss to Kentucky last night.
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Thank You Jerian / Thank You Pat -- What a Run
The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame went toe-to-toe with Kentucky -- leading most of the game -- only to lose the lead and game with SIX SECONDS left -- 68 - 66.
I know I speak for the entire NOTRE DAME NATION when I say THANK YOU!
Thank you to Jerian Grant, thank you to Pat Connaughton, thank you to Mike Brey, thank you to the Players, thank you to the Coaches -- how fun were these last few weeks!
I thought we had them -- we couldn't afford to not be perfect at the free throw line over the last few minutes. The three misses -- the difference on the scoreboard.
Kentucky did not miss a shot the last 12 minutes of the game -- and they still had to make two free throws to beat us with six seconds left. THINK ABOUT THAT -- especially when you hear Calipari talk about how poorly they played...
Hey -- we gave them all we had. I'm proud of our team.
Thank you Notre Dame Men's Basketball -- it was special!
LINK: JERIAN'S BIG THREE -- LATE IN THE GAME
LINK: GAME STATS
Notre Dame QB Maliz Zaire's Media Session
The confident, left-handed sophomore QB -- fighting for the starting gig -- sat down and took questions from the media...
Muffet & Starting Five Met With the Media Today
The Fighting Irish are in Oklahoma City today getting rested and ready to play Baylor tomorrow night -- to earn a trip to next week's FINAL FOUR in Tampa.
Notre Dame Beats #1 & Undefeated Syracuse!
It took 2 OT's -- but the #2 Fighting Irish beat #1 ranked Syracuse today 13 - 12 -- to move themselves into an expected #1 ranking when the next rankings come out!
Notre Dame BB Recruit in Slam Dunk Contest!
Notre Dame incoming hoops recruit Rex Pflueger will be competing next week in the American Family Insurance High School Slam Dunk Contest -- televised on CBS at 3:30 PM ET on April 5th.
The video above is of a dunk contest the 6'-6" guard won in December!
Notre Dame Lacrosse -- #1 in the Country!
The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame came into their game today against #1 and UNDEFEATED Syracuse -- ranked second in the country...
Well, 154 minutes later -- in Double OT -- Notre Dame leaves the game the new #1 team in college lacrosse!
A goal in the 2nd OT won the game for Notre Dame 13 - 12 over Syracuse!
LINK: SCOREBOARD
Notre Dame vs. Kentucky: Fuzzy Math Analysis
Here's my attempt to give Notre Dame fans some hope today as we await the 8:49 PM ET tip-off against #1 and undefeated Kentucky. No one is giving us a chance tonight...
NOT SO FAST MY FRIENDS!
Here's a look at how Notre Dame and Kentucky played in games this season vs. common opponents -- the only true measure we have to compare these two teams outside of nine (9) "Big Mac" All-Americans vs. one (1) "Big Mac" All-American...
Enjoy!
OPPONENT: NORTH CAROLINA
- Kentucky beat North Carolina 84 - 70 / @ home
- Notre Dame beat North Carolina 71 - 70 / @ NC
- Notre Dame beat North Carolina 90 - 82 / @ ACC (in North Carolina)
OPPONENT: LOUISVILLE
- Kentucky beat Louisville 58 - 50 / @ Louisville
- Notre Dame beat Louisville 71 - 59 / @ Louisville
FUZZY MATH ANALYSIS:
So, here's my "fuzzy math" look at the match-up between Notre Dame and Kentucky using data from the games played this season against common opponents.
It should be noted that it's generally regarded that a home court provides a team with a FOUR POINT (3.7 to be precise) advantage. So, if you take this "advantage" into consideration -- we've played these two teams quite evenly:
- Kentucky was 10 points better than North Carolina
- Notre Dame 8.5 points better than North Carolina (averaging the two games)
- Kentucky was 12 points better than Louisville
- Notre Dame was 16 points better than Louisville
- In totality -- Kentucky was 22 points better -- Notre Dame was 24.5 points better
Now, there might be a couple of you out there who might not agree with my hypothesis -- but, hey you should give me some credit for the creativity in this argument for giving us Notre Dame fans hope tonight...
So, here's the bottom line: Notre Dame should be a TWO AND A HALF POINT favorite over Kentucky!
FYI: Vegas has Kentucky an 11 point favorite -- I guess they don't use fuzzy math...
In the photo above -- that's Coach Brey telling Coach Calipari -- WE GOT YOU!
Calipari and Players Talk Notre Dame Game
Here's a replay of Kentucky's time in front of the media yesterday afternoon in Cleveland.
Calipari talks about how they will prepare for Notre Dame -- and his "sales pitch" to his team and their families on playing time and the NBA...
LINK: CALIPARI
LINK: KENTUCKY PLAYERS
Gottlieb Talks Notre Dame On Dan Patrick Show
The one-time Notre Dame student-athlete -- now CBS Sports broadcaster -- had a candid conversation with Dan Patrick about his time in South Bend and other things...
LINK: GOTTLIEB
Media Talks About Notre Dame vs. Kentucky
Here's what the media has to say about today's ELITE EIGHT game between Notre Dame and Kentucky. What's the old adage -- "don't believe everything you read on the internet..."
Might be a good idea for us Notre Dame fans today!
DON'T FORGET: "WHAT THOUGH THE ODDS BE GREAT OR SMALL..."
LINK: COURIER-JOURNAL
LINK: SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
LINK: FOX SPORTS
LINK: WASHINGTON POST
LINK: CBS SPORTS
LINK: SPORTING NEWS
"Head to Head" Wins Among Elite Eight Teams
The ELITE EIGHT is set for the NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship -- and wouldn't you know it -- the FIGHTING IRISH of Notre Dame have the BEST RECORD in head to head battles amongst the remaining eight teams this season!
Another reason why we must BELIEVE!
HEAD TO HEAD RECORDS -- ELITE EIGHT TEAMS:
- NOTRE DAME: 4 - 1
- DUKE: 4 - 2
- WISCONSIN: 2 - 1
- KENTUCKY: 1 - 0
- ARIZONA: 1 - 0
- LOUISVILLE: 1 - 3
- GONZAGA: 0 - 1
- MICHIGAN STATE: 0 - 4
SHAKE DOWN THE FINAL FOUR -- WEEKEND!
So, here's where you can watch the Fighting Irish on TV -- today and tomorrow!
- SATURDAY: NOTRE DAME vs. KENTUCKY on TBS at 8:49 PM ET
- SUNDAY: NOTRE DAME vs. BAYLOR on ESPN at 8:30 PM ET
Friday, March 27, 2015
Muffet's Gang Going Back to the ELITE EIGHT!
For those of you counting -- it's FIVE STRAIGHT TRIPS to the ELITE EIGHT for the FIGHTING IRISH!
Notre Dame beat Stanford (the only team to beat UCONN) 81 - 60 in Oklahoma City!
Notre Dame pulled away midway through the second half with what I'm going to start calling a "SHAKE DOWN THE THUNDER RUN" -- for both of our basketball programs.
Now the Irish play Baylor Sunday night at 8:30 PM ET on ESPN for a trip to the FINAL FOUR!
LINK: LINDSAY ALLEN -- THREE POINT RUN
Notre Dame's Elite Eight Press Conference
The Fighting Irish met the media today in Cleveland -- as they await tomorrow's match-up with the 37 - 0 Kentucky Wildcats.
BELIEVE.
LINK: COACH BREY
LINK: STARTING FIVE
Full Game Replay: Notre Dame / Wichita State
If you can't get enough of last night's 81 - 70 SWEET SIXTEEN WIN for the Fighting Irish over Wichita State -- you can watch it again -- any time you want!
Here's the link to the CBS' full-game replay:
LINK: NOTRE DAME 81 - WICHITA STATE 70
Kentucky's Calipari Talks About Notre Dame
John Calipari sat down for a quick interview this afternoon with Kentucky's web team to talk about tomorrow night's match-up with our Fighting Irish. Here's what he had to say:
LINK: CALIPARI ON NOTRE DAME
Great Game Tonight on ESPN: ND vs Stanford
You better get ready for a LATE GAME tonight! The #1 seeded Fighting Irish play an opponent they haven't seen in 23 years -- #4 seed Stanford -- in a game that is scheduled to tip-off at 10 PM ET on ESPN. That is not a typo!
The Irish are in Oklahoma City -- playing what I believe to be the toughest opponent of any of the #1 seeds in the country in their SWEET SIXTEEN game. Stanford handed UCONN their only loss of the season in November...
Notre Dame has never beaten Stanford in women's basketball -- that needs to change tonight! Here's some of the media coverage coming out of Oklahoma City:
LINK: COACH MCGRAW PRESSER
LINK: JEWELL LOYD & LINDSAY ALLEN PRESSER
LINK: ESPN PREVIEW
"Sneak Preview" of Mike Brey's Pre-Game Talk
At approximately 8:35 PM ET Saturday night in a locker room deep in the bowels of the "Q" in Cleveland -- Notre Dame head basketball coach Mike Brey will be talking to his team for the last time prior to taking the floor for their ELITE EIGHT game against #1 Kentucky.
The ND GO IRISH BLOG was lucky enough to secure a sneak preview of what Coach Brey intends to say to his team at that moment -- see link below:
"Tonight, we are the best college basketball team in the world..."
LINK: SNEAK PREVIEW
Notre Dame Player Interviews After Elite Eight!
Here's what I could find around the web from the local media outlets and their interviews of the Fighting Irish after their Elite Eight win over Wichita State:
LINK: STEVE VASTURIA
LINK: ZACH AUGUSTE
LINK: DEMETRIUS JACKSON
LINK: WSBT-TV
LINK: WNDU-TV
The Mornin' After Notre Dame's Elite Eight Win!
Well, the media is singing the praises of the Fighting Irish this morning -- just be ready for the "NO CHANCE WITH KENTUCKY" stories we'll hear over the next 36 hours....
Here's what they're saying:
LINK: SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
LINK: INDY STAR
LINK: ESPN BLOG
LINK: CBS
LINK: ESPN
LINK: CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER
LINK: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
LINK: CHICAGO TRIBUNE
Notre Dame's Post Game Press Conference
Coach Brey, Jerian Grant, Pat Connaughton and Demetrius Jackson spoke with the media after last night's ELITE EIGHT WIN over Wichita State!
LINK: POST GAME PRESSER
Wichita State's Coach Talks Loss to Notre Dame
Wichita State head coach met with the media after their 81 - 70 loss to Notre Dame in an Elite Eight game in Cleveland last night...
LINK: WICHITA STATE COACH
Inside Notre Dame's Blitz of Wichita State!
You're going to want to watch this edition of IRISH CONNECTION -- as it takes a look inside Notre Dame's decisive run in the 2nd half to put the game away against Wichita State.
As the coach at Wichita State said in his post game press conference; "I've never seen a one point lead get out of hand so quickly..."
LINK: IRISH CONNECTION
Thursday, March 26, 2015
BELIEVE! We Are In the ELITE EIGHT -- BABY!
It's time we ALL start believing in NOTRE DAME BASKETBALL. What an effort tonight as the Fighting Irish won a game -- most of the pundits said they had no business winning...
81 - 70 over Wichita State -- and it wasn't that close...
So, now we hope to play COLONEL SANDER'S TEAM. Please give Notre Dame a shot at a 37 - 0 Kentucky team Saturday night...
Isn't this fun!
LINK: GAME HIGHLIGHTS
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