By Teddy Greenstein
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Brian Kelly's past met his present Thursday night, and Notre Dame's new football coach sat courtside to witness it.
Wearing a navy blazer and with a giant credential draped around his neck - perhaps in case a Charlie Weis sympathizer came disguised as a Purcell Pavilion security guard - Kelly watched as the Irish broke out to a 15-6 lead against Cincinnati and held on for a convincing 83-65 victory.
Luke Harangody led the Irish with a season-high 37 points, three off his career high and nearly 13 more than his average of 24.2, which is third in the nation. He made 15 of 25 from the field. Tim Abromaitis added 22.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Brian Kelly's past met his present Thursday night, and Notre Dame's new football coach sat courtside to witness it.
Wearing a navy blazer and with a giant credential draped around his neck - perhaps in case a Charlie Weis sympathizer came disguised as a Purcell Pavilion security guard - Kelly watched as the Irish broke out to a 15-6 lead against Cincinnati and held on for a convincing 83-65 victory.
Luke Harangody led the Irish with a season-high 37 points, three off his career high and nearly 13 more than his average of 24.2, which is third in the nation. He made 15 of 25 from the field. Tim Abromaitis added 22.
A more significant number might have been rebounding margin. When the
teams met in Cincinnati last month, the Bearcats outrebounded the Irish
50-31 and won by a basket. The Irish on Thursday outrebounded the more
athletic Bearcats, 41-31, Harangody grabbing 14.
This was a game, Irish basketball coach Mike Brey said Tuesday, that the Irish all but needed to win to get on track for an NCAA tournament bid.
Brey believes Notre Dame must get to 9-9 in the Big East to get "in the discussion" for spot in the field of 65. By beating Cincinnati, the Irish improved to 5-5 in the league and 16-7 overall - with brutally tough games remaining at Louisville, at Georgetown, at Marquette and versus Pittsburgh.
This was a game, Irish basketball coach Mike Brey said Tuesday, that the Irish all but needed to win to get on track for an NCAA tournament bid.
Brey believes Notre Dame must get to 9-9 in the Big East to get "in the discussion" for spot in the field of 65. By beating Cincinnati, the Irish improved to 5-5 in the league and 16-7 overall - with brutally tough games remaining at Louisville, at Georgetown, at Marquette and versus Pittsburgh.
Register with Chicago Tribune and receive Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks newsletters for free. 
When sports news breaks, be the first to know. (To get alerts on a mobile device, text CHISPORTS to 31286.). 
Leave a comment