Lots going on in the land of Mike Brey/Notre Dame men's basketball.  Let's have a run-down to see what's been going on:

• Notre Dame played in its first game of the season last Friday and beat the Briar Cliff Chargers 103-64 in an exhibition game.  Briar Hill, you may think, is not a country club team but a Iowan university located in Sioux Falls.  Ryan Ayers led all ND players with 21 points while Tory Jackson chipped in 18 and Luke Harangody provided 16 points and 11 rebounds.  Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the game was the play of the three sophomores (although Carleton Scott is technically a redshirt freshman).  Tim Abromatis is probably the best of the three offensively but Scott has scary athleticism that could help us on the boards.  Brey will likely only make room for one of the three so stay tuned to that competition.

• The preseason All-American list came out yesterday and Luke Harangody was the 3rd place vote getter behind Tyler Hansbrough and Stephen Curry.  I like the idea of giving awards out to people before they actually earn it.  I might never have gotten on the Dean's List at school, but a preseason Dean's List might not have been out of the question my freshman year and I would've appreciated that honor.  Getting back to Luke Harangody, that is a tremendous accomplishment and its good to see coaches and writers (I'm not entirely sure who votes for that, nor do I care) acknowledging his great play from last year.
  
• Finally, your lone 2008 senior basketball star Rob Kurz has been picked up again by the Golden State Warriors and is on their 15-man squad in place of suspended guard Monta Ellis.  Kurz, who is likely getting a non-guaranteed contract, has surprised most Irish fans with his play in the NBA so far.  Warriors coach Don Nelson liked Kurz a lot during the preseason and was visibly upset when he was forced to let him go just a few weeks ago.  The suspension of Ellis, however, allowed Nelson to bring Kurz back onto the team.  Hats off to you, Mr. Kurz.