UConn won't be #2 for much longer.  With their win against Notre Dame Saturday afternoon, they'll likely be #1.  The Huskies were able to fight off an impressive effort from the Irish on their way to a 72-65 win in the last minute of the ballgame.  The Huskies' win brings the team to 15-2 in the Big East, while ND's loss makes them 7-9 in conference action.  Jeff Adrien of UConn was most impressive on the night, leading all scorers with 25.  Notre Dame saw Tory Jackson score 17 while Kyle McAlarney and Luke Harangody added 14 each.  Sophomore Ty Nash led the Irish with 9 rebounds including 6 on the offensive side.  The story of the game was UConn star Hasheem Thabeet's defensive presence against the Irish.  The junior center swatted 8 shots while his teammates helped block 5 more.  In the end, Notre Dame played well, but unfortunately so did UConn.  It was a great game but another disappointing loss for the Irish.

Senior day is not a good day to face Jeff Adrien - he scored 25 points in the UConn victory

I know I've said it before, but what really kills me is the position we put ourselves in.  We're 7-9 in the Big East and for any shot at a postseason berth to the NCAA's, we'll need to get to 9-9 in conference and have a least 2 wins in the Big East Tournament.  And with that we'll just be on the bubble.  Chances are, we'll miss the Big Dance and that is frustrating as a fan of this team because they are a good group of guys and they're a really talented squad.  Today definitely proved that.  No Irish fan has ever said Mike Brey was perfect but he has not done his best job of coaching and a lot of things he has done has hurt our chances.  We came into this game - only a day before the beginning of March - needing a victory desperately.  When you have a POY candidate and only lose one of your starters to graduation, you should not put yourself in that position.  It kills me to watch this team piss away their shot at a dance ticket.  This wasn't the way the season was supposed to go.  Tear...

I know we all miss Rob Kurz, but I don't think it was so much that Rob Kurz was such a terrific basketball player (although I really did like the consistency of his game) more so that we are desperately missing a big man to pair up with Harangody.  Hillesland simply isn't that type of player, Zeller really shouldn't be on the court that much whether he is a forward or a guard, and Ty Nash just doesn't have the size to play against the big guys of the Big East.  It was difficult watching all 6'7" of Ryan Ayers try to guard Jeff Adrian, but with Hillesland out, that's the best we could do.  It really is an indictment on Coach Brey and his staff for failing to sign any post player for two consecutive classes before the incoming class of 2009 comes in next year.  That has really hurt the team and just shouldn't happen when you are a Big East contender.

If you follow Irish basketball and know something about the game, you probably have a man crush on Ty Nash.  The sophomore was sparingly used at the beginning of the season, much to many fans' surprise.  In fact, he only played in 1 out of the first 5 Big East conference games.  But he has been a delight to watch ever since the end of the first UConn game, where he got some scrub time and scored 8 quick points.  The guy probably won't become an offensive power, but he does so many good things when he is on the floor.  He is our only threat for offensive rebounds and is someone that will give you all he has, whether he plays 30 minutes or 5 minutes.  The real shame is Brey's hesitance to play the young player because in the last 10 or so games, as he's really helped our team more than he has hurt it and is improving so much.  He makes me happy.

Luke Harangody, I love your heart and determination, but let's look at some simple facts here.  You are 6'8" (on a good day) and Hasheem Thabeet is 7'3".  That is a good half of a foot or more difference in height.  He will block you multiple times if you try to attack him.  I have no idea how you blocked him that one time, but it usually will be the other way around.  This was probably your last time playing against Thabeet (unless we miraculously do well in the Big East Tournament) and for that I am thankful.

Not much rest for the Irish this weekend as they are back in South Bend on Monday night against a tough and talented Villanova team who lost a tough game to Georgetown earlier today.