By Brian Hamilton
NEW YORK -- Maybe something in the air of Madison Square Garden's venerable-but-questionable underbelly had Mike Brey a little punchy. Because after one win in the Big East tournament, the Notre Dame coach was ready to do the jobs of all the writers before him.
"We're one of the best stories in college basketball right now," Brey crowed.
That might have been exaggeration, or at least premature by a night. If the Irish can pull off a third straight upset on quarterfinal day at the Big East tourney, downing No. 2 seed Pittsburgh in a game that tips at 6 p.m., then maybe Brey has a point.
NEW YORK -- Maybe something in the air of Madison Square Garden's venerable-but-questionable underbelly had Mike Brey a little punchy. Because after one win in the Big East tournament, the Notre Dame coach was ready to do the jobs of all the writers before him.
"We're one of the best stories in college basketball right now," Brey crowed.
That might have been exaggeration, or at least premature by a night. If the Irish can pull off a third straight upset on quarterfinal day at the Big East tourney, downing No. 2 seed Pittsburgh in a game that tips at 6 p.m., then maybe Brey has a point.
For now, the Irish will have to repeat the effort from Feb. 24, when
they likely caught the then-No. 12 Panthers napping and won by 15 at
home. Unlikely they'll shoot 50 percent again from the floor, though, meaning the revitalized defense may have to carry the night.
Pittsburgh, meanwhile, has won three straight since that defeat in South Bend. And, actually, that was one of only two blemishes on the ledger since the start of February and the only Panthers loss in the last nine games.
Notre Dame is hot, and Pittsburgh is right there with the Irish. Only one happy ending available tonight, though.
Pittsburgh, meanwhile, has won three straight since that defeat in South Bend. And, actually, that was one of only two blemishes on the ledger since the start of February and the only Panthers loss in the last nine games.
Notre Dame is hot, and Pittsburgh is right there with the Irish. Only one happy ending available tonight, though.
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