If Notre Dame is indeed in the mix for the NCAA tournament according to some experts, it needs to support that opinion with an upset over No. 7 Duke on Saturday. The Irish (15-9, 6-7) will be at the end of a challenging three-game road trip. That it concludes against the Blue Devils (21-3, 11-2) and the Cameron Crazies along with the fact that it will be telecast on ESPN with Dick Vitale at the mic only ups the pressure.
You know what? Let’s dig into the vault just because (Warning: NSFW).
Anyway, the Irish are going to have to find some momentum after an overtime loss to Virginia that shouldn’t have been. All they had to do was make one more basket, and they’d be riding a five-game winning streak. Instead, they’re up against a program they’ve lost five straight against and one that’s having another big season.
If John Mooney is going to have one of his double-doubles mean something, now would be the time to do it.