Mens Basketball gets back on track with a win at USF today and Womens basketball keeps rolling along smashing Providence. Coach McGraw was able to play a lot of girls today and give the starters some rest. They'll need as Monday they go into Tenn to play the Lady Vols. Very big game in a very tough environment!
Smythe <t>Terry,<br/> I see the former Texas TE commit Smythe gave his verbal to ND over the weekend.</t>
I think he's a good pickup Tim, he reminds me a lot of Kyle Rudolph ..who btw was MVP of the Pro Bowl. Still the most important recruits out there for us right now are Hollins, Fitts, and Vanderdoes. Vanderdoes is the big Kahuna... I've read that all those guys had very good times at ND this past weekend, but that distance and weather may be in play for all three. Competition seems to be UCLA for all 3.
I understand the mindset that the most important recruits are those who are uncommited. However, I respectfully submit that the most important recruits are those who sign the LOI to attend ND, all or most of whom will contribute directly to the long-term success of the program
You are right of course Sid, I was just thinking about the guys we were still recruiting. BTW we don't currently have room for all 3 guys that I named. Kelly has some decisions to make. Vanderdoes is likely to be a Signing day decision. Do you bring back Fox/Carlo or sign Vanderdoes? It might come down to that.
Big win tonight by the Irish at Tenn. It was an emotional game for the Vols, they were honoring Pat Summitt and many of her old players all of whom are All-Americans and have Nat'l Championships were there to support her. Close game at halftime and then the Irish pulled away to a 19 point lead before Tenn caught fire and ran off a big streak, but it wasn't enough as eventually they cooled off and the Irish won by 10. It was the first win ever by Muffett McGraw at Tenn. Irish now have a 3 game winning streak over the Lady Vols. I wish they could have honored Pat on another night so I could have rooted for the Vols to win one for her on her night. I do have to say that I really have a hard time watching womens basketball, even at the high level that Tenn and ND play it's so far from what I'm used to seeing that I can't truly appreciate it.
This posted on Twitter by ND Observer Sports, which is following Brian Kelly's conference call with the media: Such a direct statement from the head coach would seem to verify that both Calabrese and Fox are coming back. Other comments from the above-mentioned conference call:
I wouldn't be surprised to see Fox and Carlo both start at the begining of the season. Jarrett Grace supposedly has a lot of talent though and I'd expect them to give him plenty of playing time. It will be interesting to watch the DB competition, where as last year we were thin and young beyond Zeke Motta, this year we have some experience and competition back there, Collingsworth will be back and he might take over for Motta, the kid is a player. Only worry is since he's had surgery how far along is he with the recovery, will he be able to participate 100% in the off season conditioning.
recruiting <r>well to say that I can't wait until next Wednesday is here wound be huge understatement. I'm not as worried about this year's recruiting class as I have been in the past. With or without anymore recruits, this class is very, very good. Add a couple more and it's GREAT but......nothing really counts till the signature is on the paper and it's faxed or mailed in. I'm hoping the only surprises we have on this signing day are positive. <E></E> <br/> <br/> Case in point thought is this Folston kid from FL. Is he in is he out. I feel like saying COME ON MAN! Make up your mind and quit messin with everybody. I mean really, your down to <I><s></s>Auburn<e></e></I> and ND, how smart do you have to be to make that decision? Really? and if he picks Auburn, do we really want him anyway?<br/> <br/> Like I said, Wednesday can't get here fast enough.</r>
I think Folston is one of those kids who might get up next Wed morning and say Auburn is closer and fax the LOI to them. He's made statements as recently as yesterday that he is coming to ND, but he's also still talking to Auburn. I think the ship has sailed on Fitts and Hollins, and while I hope we can get Vanderdoes it will be a huge upset IMHO if we do get him. Still an excellent class. If we don't get Vanderdoes we'll have come up short in DL recruiting.
Irish picked up a punter today...not a scholarship punter but a "preferred walkon" from Fresno. He was scheduled to go to Harvard, but when we offered he dumped those East Coast sissies like a sack of Irish Potatoes.
Chris Martin <r>any Irish or Gator fans remember Chris Martin? Big time DE recruit couple seasons ago who originally verbaled to ND but change his mind and went to Cal, changed his mind again and went to Florida and has some problems, never played for the Gators? Well he is going to be headed to Kanas to play for Charlie Weis after playing some JC. Wonder if he has his head straightened out yet? <E></E></r>
ND Asst Coach Bob Elliot had a kidney transplant today. I did not know he was having problems. Good luck to him. Somebody pointed me to this article about him on SI.com His sister is the donor. He was a great addition to the staff this year. I hope he recovers fast and is back on the field coaching for the Spring. Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-football/news/20130106/bob-elliott-notre-dame/#ixzz2K8cd9fWW