College Gameday to visit the Joyce Center

For the first time in school history the ESPN's College Basketball Gameday show will visit the Joyce Center for the Big East match-up vs Connecticut.  College Basketball Gameday usually visits teams where the students are loud and where they are great games played, and Notre Dame certainly fits the bill. 

ND basketball is becoming increasingly popular.  It seems more and more games are nationally televised every year.   By coming to the campus, College Basketball Gameday will only increase Notre Dame's rising basketball popularity and will help to make the college known for something other than football.  This season is already becoming exciting.

OFF TOPIC: Tampa Bay Rays

Why are Tampa Bay Ray fans the only one's who hold up this kind of sign?  I mean seriously, Holy Cow? Awesome? Can't you just yell those things not hold up a sign.  I guess only crazy people could stick with a team that finishes in last place every season. But, holy cow is it there time now, good for them. 

2008 Maui Invitational Bracket Announced

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Notre Dame is set to play in-state rival Indiana in the first round.  I am not going to do the whole run down again, you can look back in older posts to see it.  I am very excited for this, great teams and  it could turn into a great start to the season for the Irish

Schedule Shaping up to be Toughest Yet

Irish fans are accustomed to an easy non-conference schedule.  Mike Brey has always loved to stack the non-conference schedule with 'gimmes' against teams who most people have never even heard of.  Even though the full Irish schedule has not been released yet,  information has spread from other teams and the news is very exciting.

As most of you know in early November the Irish are set to play in Maui, and against some very tough opponents.  The opposition includes Alabama, Indiana, North Carolina, Oregon, St. Joe's, and Texas.  A very prestigious group of teams to say the least.  I really hope the Irish get shot at North Carolina.  A Harangody-Hansbrough game would have the media in a frenzy!  Also it would give Luke Zeller a chance to play against his going to be freshmen brother, Tyler Zeller who signed with the Tar Heels.  And with Ben Hansbrough on the bench this year, he will be able to see his brother play against his team.  It would be one big family re-union and one great game.  A Maui Tournament win could almost guarantee a play-off birth for the Irish.

UCLA has just recently announced their full schedule and guess who is in it? Yup, Notre Dame.  On December 2nd, right in the thick of ruthless conference play, the Irish will head on over to the west coast for a game against the Bruins.   The Bruins had an amazing season last year finishing in the top 5 and making it to the Final Four as a 1 seed.  UCLA will have a good chunk off their team back and will be strong once again.  I will be looking forward to this game as well.

Just announced recently, the Irish have been slated for a double-header on December 6th.  The Irish will play Ohio State while Indiana, with new evil coach Tom Crean, will play Gonzaga.  These games are to be played at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. 

I am assuming that these will be the main non-conference contests, but I could be wrong.  Once the Big East figures out the conference game dates and the full schedule is announced we will find out.  

Mike Brey Staying Put at Notre Dame

Mike Brey is showing no signs of leaving the Irish basketball organization anytime soon.  Mike Brey has just signed an extension to his contract that will tack on another two years.  This means that Brey will be with us at least till 2015.  

Brey already has nine years under his belt along the sidelines of Notre Dame and is not planning on leaving.  This is obviously good news for the program.  In his nine seasons Brey has a very impressive 167-86 record and has advanced his team to the post-season every time, including 5 NCAA Tournament Births.  On top of that, in the last two seasons Brey has been named the Big East Coach of the Year.

While some criticize Brey for his poor post-season performances, I am very happy that he is returning.  Although his post-season record is far worse than his overall, I still believe that he is the perfect coach for the team.  I am very confident that the post-season record will improve over time.  And I don't think it is fair to give him all the blame for the mediocre post-seasons the Irish have had. 

I predict that Brey will retire here.  I am sure that Brey will bring more successful seasons to the organization.  This move will be great for the long-term success of the program

Irish to play Huskies, Red Storm, and Cardinals Twice

While the whole 2008-2009 schedule is not released yet, it is confirmed that the Big East schedule will remain in the same format.  18 games total, in which everyone plays everyone once and 3 teams twice.  

Two Irish-Huskies games has made me excited.  From Connecticut, I am happy I will be able to see the Irish play more than just at the Big East Tourney.  It surprises me too because last year the Huskies were one of the teams the Irish played twice and I didn't expect to see it scheduled the same way again this year.  Nonetheless, I expect two really good games again.

St. John's was not much of a threat last year and they don't seem to have improved drastically this year.  This might turn into too relatively easy wins for the Irish, if there is such a thing in the Big East.  Louisville finished second in the conference last year, tied with the Irish, they will certainly provide two tough games. 

At home the Irish will see Connecticut, Louisville, St. John's. Georgetown, Maurquette, Rutgers, Seton Hall, South Florida and Villanova from the Big East.  Now the streak will have a tough time surviving these teams, but hey, there is no way you are going to get an easy schedule if you are in this conference.

When the full schedule is up, I will post a link.

Good in the Long Run

The long run is looking very good for the program.  Let me start by saying that the Irish will be better next year, with there top scorers returning they will sure make just as much and more noise than they did last year.  The new incoming freshmen will certainly play a role and Harangody and McAlarney will carry the team once again.  

However, the future may be looking even more bright for the next seasons yet to come.  From the commitment of two big-name transfers to the return of Anthony Solomon, who did great on the coaching staff a few years ago, the Irish look like they are going to be good for the next 3 years.  On top of that the recruiting class of the 09-10 year is looking like one of the best. 

Here is a look at the rest of this decade, maybe you will see what I mean.

2008-2009: I have heard a lot of different sources say that Notre Dame may a serious national  title contender.  Whether you believe this or not that is what I have heard.  Everyone will be returning but, Kurz who I believe will be filled in well by Zeller and Nash.  The team can only be better than last year I think with a year strong off season and a good start to next season, a championship may not be that far from reach.  

2009-2010: McAlarney, Ayers, and Zeller will be gone.  All three of those players contribute alot.   Thats where the new recruits come in.  Hansbrough and Martin will fill in those spots extremely well.  Then in the post more room for Nash and Scott will be opened.  If Hansbrough and Martin play as well as expected and adjust well to the new school, Notre Dame will be just as good as the year before. But, this all  depends on Luke Harangody.  If he leaves early to the NBA he is unreplacable.  I doubt it though,  I think he is smart and will make the right choice to stay.

 

Well, this will probably the last thing I say till we get close to the start of next season, unless something important like another transfer or a staff change, but I think in the years to come it will be good to be an Irish basketball fan.