Awesome game by the Irish... seems like in that second half they were firing on all cylinders... can they beat Kentucky? Here's our take...
Dominant second half propels Irish to 81-70 win
Dominant second half propels Irish to 81-70 win
BIG second half propels Irish, who potentially await the Giant (link)
- Thread starter CCSportsReport
- Start date
Here ya go:
What started as a close game in the first half, turned into a blowout in the last 20 minutes, with a 81-70 Irish victory. The final score didn't really show the dominance that Mike Brey's squad displayed in the second period on tonight's regional semifinal.
The threes were coming down like Indiana rain in April, and the Irish defense stiffened up when it needed to, as the guys from South Bend put on quite a display of basketball to advance to the Elite Eight.
Although Shockers' star guard, Fred VanVleet managed to continue is torrid shooting in this year's tournament, pouring in a game high, 25 points, the Irish used a more balanced attack to finish off the Horizon League champs. Notre Dame had four of five starters in double figures, led by a 20-point effort from point guard, Demetrius Jackson. Zach Auguste and Steve Vasturia both contributed 15, and sharpshooter Pat Connaughton chipped in 16 of his own in the winning effort for the guys in gold.
After watching Notre Dame's performance in the ACC tournament, I commented to several friends that I thought that Notre Dame had a shot to take down Kentucky, if they had a good shooting night. The basketball gods saw fit to make this match-up possible.
Now standing in the way between the Irish and their first Final Four in decades, is the winner of Kentucky and West Virginia. Being from the state just north of the Bluegrass, I can't help but pull for the Mountaineers to pull the upset, BUT... Part of me wants to see the Wildcats win, just so I can see these Irish go up against Goliath.
Kentucky is the undefeated, pre-anointed national champion. Nobody is supposed to be able to play with these guys. SMU coach, Larry Brown even made the comment, that if UK played in the NBA eastern conference, they'd be a playoff team. They're the biggest, deepest, and best team in the country.
Well, let me say this. Tonight I saw an Irish team with resolve. I saw a team with confidence. I saw a team with toughness and fire. If they can carry that to their game on Saturday, they can play with anyone. On any given night, great things can happen.
After seeing the Irish dismantle a very good Wichita State team, I'm a believer. I'll go ahead and call it now. Kentucky will beat West Virginia, and the Irish will face John Calipari's youngsters on Saturday for a chance to go to Indianapolis. The Irish will pull off one of the biggest upsets, if not THE biggest upset in NCAA tournament history. If I'm wrong, I'll gladly take the dish of crow. Call me crazy, but I believe.
Next weekend, the Irish will be back home again in Indiana, two games away from a national title.
Posted from Rivals Mobile
What started as a close game in the first half, turned into a blowout in the last 20 minutes, with a 81-70 Irish victory. The final score didn't really show the dominance that Mike Brey's squad displayed in the second period on tonight's regional semifinal.
The threes were coming down like Indiana rain in April, and the Irish defense stiffened up when it needed to, as the guys from South Bend put on quite a display of basketball to advance to the Elite Eight.
Although Shockers' star guard, Fred VanVleet managed to continue is torrid shooting in this year's tournament, pouring in a game high, 25 points, the Irish used a more balanced attack to finish off the Horizon League champs. Notre Dame had four of five starters in double figures, led by a 20-point effort from point guard, Demetrius Jackson. Zach Auguste and Steve Vasturia both contributed 15, and sharpshooter Pat Connaughton chipped in 16 of his own in the winning effort for the guys in gold.
After watching Notre Dame's performance in the ACC tournament, I commented to several friends that I thought that Notre Dame had a shot to take down Kentucky, if they had a good shooting night. The basketball gods saw fit to make this match-up possible.
Now standing in the way between the Irish and their first Final Four in decades, is the winner of Kentucky and West Virginia. Being from the state just north of the Bluegrass, I can't help but pull for the Mountaineers to pull the upset, BUT... Part of me wants to see the Wildcats win, just so I can see these Irish go up against Goliath.
Kentucky is the undefeated, pre-anointed national champion. Nobody is supposed to be able to play with these guys. SMU coach, Larry Brown even made the comment, that if UK played in the NBA eastern conference, they'd be a playoff team. They're the biggest, deepest, and best team in the country.
Well, let me say this. Tonight I saw an Irish team with resolve. I saw a team with confidence. I saw a team with toughness and fire. If they can carry that to their game on Saturday, they can play with anyone. On any given night, great things can happen.
After seeing the Irish dismantle a very good Wichita State team, I'm a believer. I'll go ahead and call it now. Kentucky will beat West Virginia, and the Irish will face John Calipari's youngsters on Saturday for a chance to go to Indianapolis. The Irish will pull off one of the biggest upsets, if not THE biggest upset in NCAA tournament history. If I'm wrong, I'll gladly take the dish of crow. Call me crazy, but I believe.
Next weekend, the Irish will be back home again in Indiana, two games away from a national title.
Posted from Rivals Mobile
ND WILL face Kentucky. It's a bloodbath right now for WVU. I just don't see ND having the post presence to beat Kentucky especially on D. Just have to shoot lights out and hopefully Kentucky sputters. Just have to trust that Brey has a plan. ND may have the guards to control tempo.
