It was very ugly, got very pretty, and then very interesting, but the Irish keep their tournament hopes alive by eking one out against a woeful Rutgers team that really came to play.  More analysis coming tomorrow (hey, there's Idol, Lost, Real World and the Top Chef finale tonight), but a few key points:

• Great adjustments in the second half for Luke Harangody.  With Rutgers committing to playing behind him, Harangody realized he needed to be patient, taking his time to either deliver a nice post move or whip it to an open shooter.  I didn't count up his second half rebounds, but I'm pretty sure he collected a double-double after the break.  It was a nice warm-up for round four against Mount Thabeet, and another great effort from the reigning Big East Player of the Year.
• Welcome back, Tory.  If Tory is back to the level we know he can play and Jonathan Peoples continues a very nice stretch of play, there's some potential for an effective three guard line-up against smaller teams.  Peoples banging around inside (five boards tonight) is a great complement to K-Mac's shooting.  Not sure what buttons were pushed before the Providence game, but I like it.
  
• Mike Brey must continue to get Ty Nash minutes.  I know he may be tempted to fall back on his veterans, but he has to resist that urge.
• Three big-time defensive plays by Ryan Ayers in that key stretch of the second half along with some good passing.  It's good to see him contributing even if the threes aren't dropping.
• This should go without saying, but Mike Rosario might have a future in this game.