NOTRE DAME IRELAND TRIP NOTES

August 15, 2008

Notre Dame has never been a team that liked a slower pace while under Mike Brey in the Big East. However, even for ND the Pace is Quick on Ireland Trip (South Bend Tribune) as the Irish have to adjust to the 24 second shot clock used in International play. Notre Dame begins their 6-game schedule on their 12-day trip today when they take on the Ireland National Team.

The trip to Ireland is the experience of a lifetime for many of the ND players, but for senior guard Kyle McAlarney, it means even more. McAlarney is keeping a diary for the South Bend Tribune on the trip and in his first entry, it is pretty clear that McAlarney is Glad to be on Irish Soil.

For the Journal Gazette, Ryan Ayers is doing his own diary, here is the latest entry on his first day in Ireland: Ayers: ‘Everything is so Green Here’.

While the chance to spend 10 extra days together on campus with full practices and playing competitive games in August are definite advantages for the Irish as the prepare for the highly anticipated 2008-2009 season, Notre Dame’s Ireland Trip About More than Just Basketball (Chicago Tribune).

Be sure to check out the latest Odds to Win the 2009 NCAA Championship and see how your favorite team stacks up.