What a difference a night makes.
Notre Dame used a slow-tempo, deliberate, Bo Ryan type offense to completely shut down UCONN's fast-paced attack in a 58-50 victory at the Purcell Pavilion Wednesday night. The Irish complemented the Big Ten-esque offense with a staunch defense, using the same formula that worked so well against Pittsburgh and Georgetown. A team that just two weeks ago was staring at a number 4 seed in the NIT is now looking at making the NCAA tournament.
The Irish have done it all without star Luke Harangody. They had to stop standing around and admiring his physical abilities once he got injured and start playing fundamental team basketball. Ironically, they have gotten away from Big East basketball and started doing the things we see out of Big Ten and SEC teams to win their games. Perhaps the Irish can set a new trend: defense does, in fact, win, even in the Big East.
The Irish resume has improved dramatically in that time, as well. They have improved from 6-8 against RPI top 100 teams to now being 9-8, have won 3 games over RPI top 50 teams, and have improved their RPI ranking from almost 80th up to now being 61st.
Notre Dame still has to contend with their lowly non-conference schedule, three bad losses, and a meager 2-6 record on the road. They next play Marquette Golden Eagles at Marquette, a very talented team that is likely a lock for the NCAA tournament. Notre Dame needs to either win at Marquette Saturday afternoon or win one, possibly two games at the Big East Tournament in New York City if they expect to find their way in the field of 65.
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Irish Back in NCAA Picture
by Ryan Liedtky
Can it really be that Notre Dame might be a better team without Luke Harangody? The senior is averaging over 20 points and 10 rebounds per game, and the Irish lost their first two games without the injured star. Notre Dame's national tournament hopes seemed to be fading fast.
Yet in it all, a criticism of the team I have held all year vanished. From the first game it was obvious that all of the players relied on Harangody to do all the work, and the rest just stood around and watched. His great ability actually hurt the mentality of his teammates, causing them to get out of their game in an effort to just watch him.
After losing those first two games without him, this team finally figured it out. They either had to step up and lean on each other, rather than leaning on one player, or they might as well just fold up and cash out. Afterall, their final four games of the regular season were at home against 12th ranked Pittsburgh, at 11th ranked Georgetown, at home against a very talented UCONN team, and then on the road against an 18-9 Marquette squad. No easy task for a team that has more negative marks than upside on the season.
When they pulled together, slowed down, and played shut-down defense that is more typical of the Big Ten than the Big East, they disrupted Pittsburgh's game, four Irish players scored in double figures, young guys that coach Mike Brey has not used because he doesn't have confidence in them (my biggest criticism of this coach is that he does not trust the players he recruits), and the Irish managed to dominate one of the best teams in the nation. Even without one of the best rebounders in Big East history, these Irish managed to go plus 10 in that category for the game without any single player reaching double-digits.
Today, Notre Dame found a new star in senior Ben Hansbrough, who has found himself in the spotlight since Harangody's injury. The Irish again played slower, used a tough defensive mindset, and were plus 11 in rebounding to pull away with a 78-64 upset win on the road over 11th ranked Georgetown.
Big East teams have failed miserably all year when playing Big Ten teams (known most for their defense while the Big East is known more for offense). Notre Dame itself lost to a Big Ten team likely not headed to the tournament (Northwestern) earlier in the season. So it is no surprise to see Mike Brey, when his team needed direction and knowledge most, turn to a slower, defense-oriented game plan. Good call on his part.
The NCAA Tournament
Notre Dame's NCAA resume was not looking good... until today's shocker. The Irish are now 19-10, and have pulled to an even 8-8 in the Big East. They have negative marks, though, with their loss to Loyola Marrymount and Northwestern, as well as that one conference loss at Rutgers.
They came into today's game against Georgetown with a 1-6 record on the road, and not a single quality win away from their home court. This win gives them that signature victory on the road, improves them to 2-6 at opponent's home courts, and will go a long way towards improving their RPI rating, which currently stands at 72nd in the nation.
Their weak non-conference schedule also proves to be a poor decision by whoever put the schedule together. If it was Coach Brey, he needs to seriously consider adding a few tough early season matchups away from South Bend to get his team ready for Big East play, and to add some beef to his team's NCAA aspirations.
At this point, Notre Dame still has a lot of work to do if they want to make the NCAA tournament. They need to pull out a win either at home over UCONN or on the road at Marquette, plus find a way to win at least one game at Madison Square Garden (a place the Irish have been notoriously bad playing at while under Coach Brey's direction).
If the Irish win these final two games and show they can at least compete at the Big East tournament, they likely will be locks to make the field of 65. Whatever the future holds, these last two wins have given new hope and life to this battered squad.
Can it really be that Notre Dame might be a better team without Luke Harangody? The senior is averaging over 20 points and 10 rebounds per game, and the Irish lost their first two games without the injured star. Notre Dame's national tournament hopes seemed to be fading fast.
Yet in it all, a criticism of the team I have held all year vanished. From the first game it was obvious that all of the players relied on Harangody to do all the work, and the rest just stood around and watched. His great ability actually hurt the mentality of his teammates, causing them to get out of their game in an effort to just watch him.
After losing those first two games without him, this team finally figured it out. They either had to step up and lean on each other, rather than leaning on one player, or they might as well just fold up and cash out. Afterall, their final four games of the regular season were at home against 12th ranked Pittsburgh, at 11th ranked Georgetown, at home against a very talented UCONN team, and then on the road against an 18-9 Marquette squad. No easy task for a team that has more negative marks than upside on the season.
When they pulled together, slowed down, and played shut-down defense that is more typical of the Big Ten than the Big East, they disrupted Pittsburgh's game, four Irish players scored in double figures, young guys that coach Mike Brey has not used because he doesn't have confidence in them (my biggest criticism of this coach is that he does not trust the players he recruits), and the Irish managed to dominate one of the best teams in the nation. Even without one of the best rebounders in Big East history, these Irish managed to go plus 10 in that category for the game without any single player reaching double-digits.
Today, Notre Dame found a new star in senior Ben Hansbrough, who has found himself in the spotlight since Harangody's injury. The Irish again played slower, used a tough defensive mindset, and were plus 11 in rebounding to pull away with a 78-64 upset win on the road over 11th ranked Georgetown.
Big East teams have failed miserably all year when playing Big Ten teams (known most for their defense while the Big East is known more for offense). Notre Dame itself lost to a Big Ten team likely not headed to the tournament (Northwestern) earlier in the season. So it is no surprise to see Mike Brey, when his team needed direction and knowledge most, turn to a slower, defense-oriented game plan. Good call on his part.
The NCAA Tournament
Notre Dame's NCAA resume was not looking good... until today's shocker. The Irish are now 19-10, and have pulled to an even 8-8 in the Big East. They have negative marks, though, with their loss to Loyola Marrymount and Northwestern, as well as that one conference loss at Rutgers.
They came into today's game against Georgetown with a 1-6 record on the road, and not a single quality win away from their home court. This win gives them that signature victory on the road, improves them to 2-6 at opponent's home courts, and will go a long way towards improving their RPI rating, which currently stands at 72nd in the nation.
Their weak non-conference schedule also proves to be a poor decision by whoever put the schedule together. If it was Coach Brey, he needs to seriously consider adding a few tough early season matchups away from South Bend to get his team ready for Big East play, and to add some beef to his team's NCAA aspirations.
At this point, Notre Dame still has a lot of work to do if they want to make the NCAA tournament. They need to pull out a win either at home over UCONN or on the road at Marquette, plus find a way to win at least one game at Madison Square Garden (a place the Irish have been notoriously bad playing at while under Coach Brey's direction).
If the Irish win these final two games and show they can at least compete at the Big East tournament, they likely will be locks to make the field of 65. Whatever the future holds, these last two wins have given new hope and life to this battered squad.
Notre Dame Players Gain Legend's Insights
Nate Montana has returned to Notre Dame. It was widely reported on January 10th that the son of the Notre Dame and NFL legend, Joe Montana, has returned. The noise had since quieted, however, and it appeared Nate would be either a number 2 or number 3 option at the QB position.
Nate has never been a starter (he was a backup his entire high school career) until last year at Pasadena City College (he was on Notre Dame's 2008 roster as a walk-on), but the son of a legend helped his team to a 5-5 record, completed less than half his attempts, and threw three more interceptions than touchdowns.
Those numbers, however, should not be heavily relied upon, as there were numerous factors possibly going against him, including less skilled linemen, receivers, running backs, and other possible factors such as splitting playing time with three other quarterbacks.
Last night I was able to confirm Nate is in South Bend. He joined wide receiver Michael Floyd, two other Irish football players, and his football legend father at a Mishawaka restaurant. The camaraderie has begun, and perhaps being around one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the game can give star wide out Michael Floyd an advantage in furthering his collegiate career.
Coach Brian Kelly, however, will likely turn to sophomore Dayne Crist (who will be a junior for the 2010 season). Crist came out of high school with a lot of upside, but lacking accuracy. He provides a much more balanced and level headed approach to the team than Jimmy Clausen did. Crist is a leader, not a show-off, and is precisely the quarterback best suited to lead Notre Dame to a victorious campaign. Brian Kelly has struck gold with a great offense, a defense that has potential, and one of the greatest football minds to offer small insights to the stars.
by Ryan Liedtky: rliedtky@yahoo.com
Nate has never been a starter (he was a backup his entire high school career) until last year at Pasadena City College (he was on Notre Dame's 2008 roster as a walk-on), but the son of a legend helped his team to a 5-5 record, completed less than half his attempts, and threw three more interceptions than touchdowns.
Those numbers, however, should not be heavily relied upon, as there were numerous factors possibly going against him, including less skilled linemen, receivers, running backs, and other possible factors such as splitting playing time with three other quarterbacks.
Last night I was able to confirm Nate is in South Bend. He joined wide receiver Michael Floyd, two other Irish football players, and his football legend father at a Mishawaka restaurant. The camaraderie has begun, and perhaps being around one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the game can give star wide out Michael Floyd an advantage in furthering his collegiate career.
Coach Brian Kelly, however, will likely turn to sophomore Dayne Crist (who will be a junior for the 2010 season). Crist came out of high school with a lot of upside, but lacking accuracy. He provides a much more balanced and level headed approach to the team than Jimmy Clausen did. Crist is a leader, not a show-off, and is precisely the quarterback best suited to lead Notre Dame to a victorious campaign. Brian Kelly has struck gold with a great offense, a defense that has potential, and one of the greatest football minds to offer small insights to the stars.
by Ryan Liedtky: rliedtky@yahoo.com
Irish Women Set to Take on UCONN
by Ryan Liedtky
Saturday night the Notre Dame Lady Irish will attempt to end the UCONN Huskies 55 game winning streak. What will it take for the Irish to defeat a team that gave up just 24 points AT Seton Hall?
Notre Dame comes into the game at 15-0, the Huskies enter at 16-0. But the Irish have had a few close calls, especially on the road against tough Big Ten teams like Purdue and Michigan State. UCONN out-ran second-ranked Stanford earlier in the year to a 12 point victory. If the Irish are going to win, they are going to need superior play from their guards.
Freshman guard Skylar Diggins leads the Irish in scoring, but it is her defense I am most looking forward to seeing. The defense is always a key to pulling a major upset, and this Irish squad might just have what it takes. Senior guard Ashley Barlow averages 2.4 steals per game, provides leadership, and with fellow senior guard Melissa Lechlitner, help make this one of the best Irish teams ever.
I remember the 2001 season and the much-hyped match-up with UCONN, an instant classic. This seems to have the same make up as the 2001 season, with both Notre Dame and UCONN coming into the game with confidence. The Irish are scrappy, play four guards, and run their entire game with a defensive mind. Frankly, that is my type of team.
Neither team is tall, but they both make up for that with heart and athleticism. UCONN adds great defense and lots of scoring.
The keys to the game for UCONN will be to overcome Notre Dame's full court press, to shut down and pressure Skylar Diggins, and to frustrate point guard Melissa Lechlitner.
The Irish need to continue what has worked all season, put on a full court press, play physical defense, get to the foul line, and be unselfish and fast.
Come on Saturday! We have a classic in the making.
Saturday night the Notre Dame Lady Irish will attempt to end the UCONN Huskies 55 game winning streak. What will it take for the Irish to defeat a team that gave up just 24 points AT Seton Hall?
Notre Dame comes into the game at 15-0, the Huskies enter at 16-0. But the Irish have had a few close calls, especially on the road against tough Big Ten teams like Purdue and Michigan State. UCONN out-ran second-ranked Stanford earlier in the year to a 12 point victory. If the Irish are going to win, they are going to need superior play from their guards.
Freshman guard Skylar Diggins leads the Irish in scoring, but it is her defense I am most looking forward to seeing. The defense is always a key to pulling a major upset, and this Irish squad might just have what it takes. Senior guard Ashley Barlow averages 2.4 steals per game, provides leadership, and with fellow senior guard Melissa Lechlitner, help make this one of the best Irish teams ever.
I remember the 2001 season and the much-hyped match-up with UCONN, an instant classic. This seems to have the same make up as the 2001 season, with both Notre Dame and UCONN coming into the game with confidence. The Irish are scrappy, play four guards, and run their entire game with a defensive mind. Frankly, that is my type of team.
Neither team is tall, but they both make up for that with heart and athleticism. UCONN adds great defense and lots of scoring.
The keys to the game for UCONN will be to overcome Notre Dame's full court press, to shut down and pressure Skylar Diggins, and to frustrate point guard Melissa Lechlitner.
The Irish need to continue what has worked all season, put on a full court press, play physical defense, get to the foul line, and be unselfish and fast.
Come on Saturday! We have a classic in the making.
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