Back to the Cupcakes

Aside from the classic against UCLA,  Coach Brey has done his best yet again to ensure the Irish have the worst competition available to get them ready for the Big East.  I love Coach Brey,  unlike many Irish fans who criticize his every mover, but this is something I have always disagreed with him upon.  Every year, except for last season, the Irish have played some of the easiest teams D-1 ball has to offer and this year will be no exception.  

So get ready for thrillers against the great Idaho State Bengels and the always formidable Long Beach State 49ers!  And who could forget the Saint Francis (PA) Red Flash?  

However, depending how good this relatively new, unknown, mysterious Irish team is, the games against Bucknell and Northwestern could serve as some form of competition.  Still, anything more than 2 loses in non-conference play should be unacceptable.  

OFF Topic: Tampa Bay Rays

It's that time a year again.  If any you remember this article, then I am sure you will understand this one.  I always have respect for people who are die-hard fans of a consistently awful team.  At the same time though, I think it makes people a little crazy.  I mean holding up signs that say Holy Cow! and Awesome doesn't exactly scream your typical fan.   Now from the same fan I caught a glimpse of another sign:  A Froid.  It looks to me like an interesting combination of A-Fraud and A-Roid.  I don't know how it makes any sense to combine the two, but then again who cares?  We're the Ray fans, we're just gonna sit here and ring our cow bells!  Yeah, we're from Florida and our team is called the Rays,  but who doesn't like the sound of cow bells? Come on.  

Ahh, I love the Rays. 

Big East Schedule

The teams the Irish play have been announced for next years conference play.  The teams in italics are teams that the Irish play twice.

Home: Cincinnati, Connecticut, DePaul, Pittsburgh, Providence, St. John's, USF, Syracuse, West Virginia
Away: Cincinnati, Connecticut, Georgetown, Louisville, Marquette, Rutgers, Seton Hall,USF, Villanova

What I find interesting is the fact that this will be the third straight year in which the Irish will play UConn twice.  UConn is a tough team, but I am not going to complain since I live in Connecticut.  Every chance to see the Irish play in person I take.  In the last 10 games against the Huskies, the Irish are just 3-7,  but I welcome the challenge. 

If You Didn't Hear...

Luke Harangody is returning for his senior season.  He has to chosen to be a star at Notre Dame instead of the the uncertain possibility of being drafted to the NBA.  He made the right decision.  And with this decision, the Irish will have a better shot at being successful.

Heres to Luke and a successful 09-10 season.

Luke Harangody Update

As far as being a late first round pick?  You can get rid of that idea.  The latest mock drafts have Gody going in the late second round or not at all.  I guess it's a little good news and bad news at the same time.  

I would love to have Gody back, but I do want to see him succeed. 

Why Luke Should Stay

I don't believe in any of this "testing the NBA waters" phrase people keep throwing out.  Luke Harangody has this determination about him which tells me that since he declared for the draft he intends to be drafted.  I just strongly think he shouldn't.

First of all, Luke is no fool.  He must realize that he can't get much (if any)more dominant than he already is right now.  He gets double-double game after game in the toughest conference in the country.  So you make ask yourself, why is he predicted to only be a second or late first round pick?  It's simple, height and athleticism.  I am sure Luke knows this too.  The only thing that is stopping him from being the number 1 pick are things he can't control.  It must be real frustrating.  So why risk another year where you are going to get banged up even more if it won't help you improve your resume to the NBA?  I think people are over looking simple reasons.

This is Luke's last chance to be a star.  He won't be a star in the NBA.  Next year is potentially the best basketball year of his life.  You know you could leave now, but why when there is so much left you can accomplish on the college level.  Especially when your team's last season was such a failure considering the expectations.  I know I wouldn't want to leave my legacy as being that great player that couldn't take is team anywhere.

Look at Tyler Hansbrough.  He is very similar to Harangody.  They both lack athleticism.  They both are respected star-players in college, but will likely only be role players in the NBA.  Tyler decided to come back for his senior season and he won an NCAA Championship, the only thing missing from his college career.  Now let's be serious, the Irish are long shots to win a championship next year but still,  wouldn't be nice to accomplish something?  Harangody was been part of some very talented Irish teams in the last 3 years, 2 NCAA bids and an NIT bid.  However, nothing was accomplished.  No Big East regular season or championship titles.  Nothing past the second round of the NCAA.  No NIT championship.  How great would it feel for Gody to be able to have something big where he can say, I was part of that team.  

Whatever Luke chooses, I will be happy for him.  I just don't think he should waste his last chance to accomplish something big.   

Luke Harangody Declares Eligibility for NBA Draft

"I think at the beginning of last year, you know, when the coach talked about it, my parents came up here.  It never really hit me until then.  People start saying things and you start to wonder, yes, maybe I do have a future in the NBA.  You know, I never thought I could play at Notre Dame.  You know, it's a long transition to male.  You know, it's exciting stuff." - Luke Harangody

Harangody does not plan on hiring an agent.  This means he can pull his name from the draft and return to school before the June 15 deadline.  Ultimately, I believe Gody should and will wait till next year.  He is not projected as a first round pick at the moment and he can still get so much done with Notre Dame.  Because let's face it, next year is Gody's last chance to be the star.  Wherever, Luke goes after college he won't be a star.  Next year he has a chance to make something special happen.  Tyler Hansbrough is the perfect example of that.