Harangody extends home winning streak to 44
The Fighting Irish defeated the Georgetown Hoyas 73-67 to extend the Irish's home winning streak to 44 games. The Fighting Irish have defeated everybody to come into Joyce Center since they lost to Butler on november 13, 2006. They have now beat every Big East team at home in this streak except the Rutgers, who the Irish will play February 25. The Irish also got to snap their 5 game skid vs. the Hoyas dating back to February 16, 2005 at home.
The key thing the Irish did to win this game was defense. They allowed only 67 points to a good Georgetown team that has Dajuan Summers and Greg Monroe. The Irish forced the Hoyas to shoot 41.7% from the field and 22.2% from behind the arc.
Harangody led the Irish and the game in points with a season high 31 points. Harangody was 11-19 from the field and 9-9 from the charity stripe. McAlarney (McAmazing) had 17 points and was 5-11 from three point land. Tory Jackson lead the Irish in assists with 7 and had 10 points.
The Irish showcased their potential to be a top 5 team in the nation if they play like that game after game. They will at least be at the top of the Big East all year long with Pitt and UCONN. They just have to do what they do best and thats score, and then they just have to play some decent defense. Then the Irish can compete with any team in the nation.
The Fighting Irish will try to extend their home winning streak to 45 this saturday against the Seton Hall Pirates.
Notre Dame kicked off Big East
Notre Dame defeated Depaul 92-82 on tuesday night at the All State arena on the Depaul University Campus. Notre Dame did two out of the three things that will make them a good team in the Big East. They shot the ball tremendous, had another big man step up other than Harangody, but they played aweful defense..jpg)
The Fighting Irish were shooting the lights out. The Irish were shooting a great 52.2% from the field and were spectacular from three by shooting 40% from behind the line. Mr. Zach Hillesland was 8-11 from the field working the post, which gets on to my next point.
The Irish established another big man in that game in Zach Hillesland. Has i said he was 8-11 from the field, got to the line times but did not convert by shooting 1-5 from the line. Hillesland ended with a career high 17 points. By Hillesland playing good it helped take pressure off Harangody. It helped allow Harangody to get 26 points and grab 16 rebounds.
On the other hand Notre Dame did really bad on defense by allowing 82 points to a decent Depaul team. But if they really want to win the Big East and make a run in the tourney they will need to pick up their Defense. They allowed the Blue Demons shoot 52.3% percent from the field and 41.7% from three.
Overall I feel the Irish were rather impressive. Mike Brey will go back to South Bend and with his coaches they will discuss a plan to make the Irish defense better. If the Irish pick up their defense i think they are the best team in the Big East.
