Thursday, March 15, 2018

OT: I Now Have a Favorite NUN of All-Time!



I wonder if she roots for the Fighting Irish as well?

You must read this New York Times story on Sister Jean...

LINK:  NEW YORK TIMES STORY

Next Up: Penn State Visits Notre Dame in NIT



I believe this will be the first time Penn State has ever played a basketball game at Notre Dame.  Tickets are $10 for the Saturday NOON ET tip-off.

Muffet & Players -- NCAA Press Conference


Tuesday, March 13, 2018

OT: A Hot Young Basketball Coaching Prospect



His name is Andy Bronkema, he's 34 years-old -- and he's led the Ferris State Bulldogs to four straight GLIAC Tournament Championships and a #2 ranking in the country this year in NCAA Division II -- in his five years as their head coach.

His Bulldogs are now 35 - 1 after winning the school's second NCAA Regional Championship in history and a trip this Tuesday to Sioux Falls, SD for the NCAA Division II Elite Eight.

In Bronkema's five seasons as head coach -- Ferris State has accomplished this:
  • 17/18 Season:  35 - 1
  • 16/17 Season:  28 - 5
  • 15/16 Season:  24 - 10
  • 14/15 Season:  23 - 9
  • 13/14 Season:  10 - 16

OT: Ferris State Bulldogs are Regional Champs!


My alma mater -- Ferris State University -- won their second NCAA Regional Championship in school history tonight with an 80 - 65 win over Ashland University!

The win sends the Bulldogs off to Sioux Falls, SD for a NCAA Division II Elite Eight game on Tuesday.

The #2 ranked Ferris State Bulldogs are now 35 - 1 on the season.

GO DAWGS!



 

Notre Dame's NIT Game on ESPN2 @ 9 PM ET


The road to Madison Square Garden begins tonight!

LINK:  NEWS STORY

Monday, March 12, 2018

Muffet's Irish a #1 Seed in NCAA Tournament!



The Fighting Irish just learned they're playing in the Spokane Region against CSU Northridge here at 5 PM ET Purcell Pavilion on Friday night!

This is the 8th time in program history that we've been a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament -- and, that's SEVEN STRAIGHT!!!

Keep winning and Notre Dame plays UCONN in the Semi-Finals in Columbus, OH.

Go Irish!

Sunday, March 11, 2018

Brey, Colson and Farrell Talk NCAA / NIT





Here's hoping the Fighting Irish can get motivated to play in the NIT!

Videos courtesy of my good friends at Irish Sports Daily -- you can subscribe HERE.

ND vs. Hampton / Common Opponent: Virginia



The Hampton Pirates played Virginia back on December 22nd losing 82 - 48.  Here's what we know about the Pirates:

LEADING SCORERS:

STARTING LINE-UP:
  • Jermaine Marrow -- 6'-0"
  • Malique Trent-Smith -- 6'-2"
  • Kalin Fisher:  6'-2"
  • Akim Mitchell:  6'-5"
  • Trevon Barnes:  6'-9"

RECORD:  19 - 15

FOUNDED:  1868

MASCOT:  PIRATES


ENROLLMENT:  4,619 students -- 3,793 undergrad / 826 grad students

MALE / FEMALE:  33% / 67%

Muffet Named by ESPNW -- National COY!


It's the second National Coach of the Year Award for Notre Dame's Muffet McGraw in the past week!

LINK:  NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR

2018 NIT -- Notre Dame's Road to NIT Final


To enlarge the 2018 NIT Bracket -- just click on the image above.
 
The Fighting Irish will host Hampton, Tuesday night at 9 PM ET in their NIT First Round game.  The winner of this game will play the winner of Temple vs. Penn State.

The other four teams in this bracket;  Harvard, Oregon, Rider and Marquette.

If the #1 seeds hold up -- Notre Dame would play Baylor on March 27th in Madison Square Garden.

LINK:  TICKET INFORMATION 

LINK:  DOWNLOADABLE -- 2018 NIT BRACKET

2018 NIT Final Four at Madison Square Garden


If you're feeling "bullish" about Notre Dame's chances in the National Invitational Tournament -- you might want to look at airfare and hotels to New York City -- here are the dates:
  • Semi-Finals -- Tuesday, March 27th
  • Finals -- Thursday, March 29th

The first THREE ROUNDS are played on the higher seed's court -- which should mean the Fighting Irish would have to win three "home games" to earn a trip to Madison Square Garden.

We'll know more at 8:30 PM ET on ESPNU

LINK:  NIT TICKET INFO

NIT Selection Show on ESPNU at 8:30 PM ET


Here's hoping the Fighting Irish can get excited about playing in the NIT -- they'll be the team with the target on their back -- a logical #1 overall seed...

We'll learn the path to Madison Square Garden and the NIT Championship Game -- tonight at 8:30 PM ET on ESPNU.

GO IRISH!

NIT Makeover for Purcell Pavilion Floor & Clock


The NIT Tournament will be experimenting with changes to the playing court and changes to how the time will be kept during the game...
  1. The three-point line will be moved back 20" -- same as the FIBA three-point distance
  2. The "paint" area inside the free throw lane will be widened four-feet -- same as the NBA
  3. There will be four quarters instead of two halves -- same as NBA
  4. And, on a missed shot -- the shot clock will re-set at 20 seconds instead of 30 seconds

LINK:  NIT MAKEOVER

It's Okay -- Let's Go Win the NIT in the Garden!


Notre Dame was passed over for the NCAA Tournament -- now it's time to see who and where they will play in the NIT.

Saturday, March 10, 2018

Cleveland Browns Just Did Kizer a Huge Favor!


It's being reported that the Cleveland Browns have traded former Notre Dame QB DeShone Kizer to the Green Bay Packers...

How good is this for DeShone!!!

LINK:  TRADE

Friday, March 9, 2018

Big Question: "Is Notre Dame NCAA Bound?"



There are plenty of opinions -- we'll know for sure around 6:21 PM ET on Sunday...

Video above courtesy of my friends at Irish Illustrated.

LINK:   CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

LINK:   CBS SPORTS

LINK:   WASHINGTON POST

Thursday, March 8, 2018

Notre Dame Had No Answers for Duke Tonight


Notre Dame vs. Duke at 7 PM ET on ESPN


Do the Fighting Irish have anything left in the tank?

We'll find out in the next 9 hours -- as Notre Dame will play its third game in three nights and Duke plays its first -- on ESPN beginning at 7 PM ET.

When the teams played each other in January -- both Bonzie and Farrell were in street clothes on the bench.  Not tonight!

LINK:  DUKE MEDIA ON TONIGHT'S GAME