BIG EAST FOOTBALL PREVIEW: GAME #3 NOTRE DAME

September 19, 2008


For one weekend, at least, Notre Dame seemed to awake the echoes as they took advantage of numerous Michigan mistakes in a 35-17 win over the rival Wolverines. Now, the Irish hit the road to face Michigan State as a pretty heavy road underdog, according to the latest College Football Betting lines.

We definitely saw improvement from the Irish last week, but their win was more due to what Michigan did wrong (6 turnovers) than anything ND was able to do. Their offense was still anemic with just 260 total yards and 14 first downs. Bottom line is, they just are not a good football team, Michigan was just worse and couldn't get out of their own way.

Michigan State is not an overly impressive squad either, but they will not give the game away, especially on their home fild, like the Wolverines did. Look for the Spartans to be conservative, riding Javon Ringer and utilizing short passes, to control the ball and wear down the Irish.

Notre Dame is an 8 and a half point underdog, look for the game to remain close, mostly due to Michigan State controlling the ball and not putting the Irish away, rather than Notre Dame doing anything spectacular to earn an upset road win.

Prediction:

Michigan State 20
Notre Dame 16

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MIKE BROGHAMMER: IN HIS OWN WORDS

September 16, 2008



Recently, Notre Dame secured a verbal commitment from class of 2009 power forward Mike Broghammer out of Hopkins High School in Minnesota. Broghammer took an official visit to the ND campus for the opening weekend of their college football season. Here is how he described himself, his visit and why he chose Notre Dame in an interview with the NBE Basketball Report.


NBE Basketball Report: What is your current height? Weight?

Mike Broghammer: 6'8", 230 lbs

NBE: Tell us about your visit to Notre Dame last weekend? Highlights, who you met, spent time with and the most lasting impression...

MB: I really enjoyed the visit. I spent time with all of the players (and) they are all great guys. The football game was the highlight because there was such an energy at the game. It was a great experience.

NBE: Why did you choose ND?

MB: When I was down there it just felt right for me and Notre Dame is know for great academics.

NBE: What other schools were you considering?

MB: I was considering Penn State and Illinois State.

NBE: What part of your game do you feel will be your best asset at Notre Dame?

MB: My defense and my ability to run the floor will be a huge asset on the team.

NBE: What area of your game will you work on the most prior to arriving in South Bend?

MB: From here on out I am working on my ball-handling and outside shooting.

NBE: What are your goals for your senior season at Hopkins?

MB: My goal for the Hopkins school season is just to get myself to a level where I could play college basketball and hopefully win (the) state (title) while I'm at it.

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BIG EAST FOOTBALL PREVIEW: GAME #2 NOTRE DAME

September 12, 2008


Ahhh, the annual Notre Dame-Michigan match-up of early September with the Notredame Broadcasting Channel covering all the action Saturday afternoon. Too bad neither team is any good this season.

Michigan evened their record last week with a 16-6 win in the Big House over Miami, of Ohio. The Wolverines are, as expected, struggling offensively in the new scheme brought to UM by Rich Rodriguez and those struggles were just as evident in their opening loss to Utah, where they barely managed 200 years in total offense for the game.

With a pair of quarterbacks shuffling in and out during the first two games, the Wolverines have averaged just 4.8 yards a pass in 56 passing attempts. The run game has not been much better, but was more effecient in game #2.

The Irish started off their season with a win over San Diego State, which is about as much as you can say for their 21-13 win in their opener. Afterall, ND had to rally in the fourth quarter for a home victory against a team coming off a loss to Cal...Cal Poly!


Oh my...where have you gone Knute Rockne...or, even Ron Powlus and company? Charlie Weiss...nice big fat contract...for him...

NCAA Betting Odds have the Maize and Blue as a slight favorite. They say the most improvement a team shows is from game #1 to game #2 and that first road game is always tricky. So, will will bet on Notre Dame that they show the improvement while the Michigan improvement for their win over Miami...of Ohio, was not all that impressive, to us.

Prediction:

Notre Dame 19
Michigan 17

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TOM DRONEY VISITS NOTRE DAME

September 8, 2008


While our first Notre Dame Recruiting Update today focused on the verbal commitment Mike Broghammer made to the Irish while visiting South Bend this weekend, this entry will look at an unofficial visit from a top 2010 prospect.

Tom Droney, a 6-foot-6 guard weighing 186 pounds, recently made the trip from his Pennsylvania home to South Bend for the home opener of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football season. Naturally, the trip to see the Golden Dome and Notre Dame campus left a very positive impression of the Sewickley Academy junior.

"I had a good time on the trip to Notre Dame," Droney told the NBE Basketball Report in an e-mail this morning. "I met with the whole coaching staff and had a chance to play with the team and the other recruits that were visiting."

The pageantry of college football does not get any better than at Notre Dame and Irish men's basketball head coach Mike Brey certainly enjoys the advantages of showing off the campus to recruits on fall weekends when their is a buzz in the air.

"The campus was really nice," Droney added. "The program speaks for itself and it is one of the best teams in the Big East."

As reported earlier at the NBE Basketball Report, Droney seems to be on the fast track towards a college decision which could come by month's end for the talented high school junior. Before deciding, there is still some schools to see and coaches to visit.

"As far as my recruitment goes, I still really love Pitt but it is good to see what every other school has to offer," Droney explained. "I am going to be visiting Wake Forest and Davidson on Friday the 26th."

Also, Notre Dame is going to try and make another pitch, led by their head coach. "Coach Brey is a really genuine, down to earth guy,"Droney continued. "He and one of the assistansts are coming to my school to watch a workout next week so we will see what happens from there."

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BIG EAST RECRUITING UPDATE: NOTRE DAME

September 8, 2008


Verbal Commitment ALERT: Mike Broghammer, 6'8 PF from Hopkins (MN) High School


Projected 2008-2009 Roster


Seniors: Ryan Ayers (F/G), Kyle McAlarney (G), Zack Hillesland (F), Luke Zeller (BF/C)
Juniors: Luke Harangody (BF), Tory Jackson (PG), Jonathan Peoples (G), Ben Hansbrough* (SG)
Sophomores: Carlton Scott (F), Tyrone Nash (F), Tim Abromaitis (F), Scott Martin** (SF)
Freshmen: NONE
Early 2009 Commitments: Joey Brooks (SF), Jack Cooley (BF), Mike Broghammer (PF)

* Sitting out 2008-2009 season per NCAA transfer rules; will have two years of eligibility at Notre Dame beginning with the 2009-2010 season.

** Sitting out 2008-2009 season per NCAA transfer rules; will have three years of eligibility at Notre Dame beginning with the 2009-2010 season.

Mike Brey and Notre Dame hosted some impressive recruits during the past weekend for the season opener of Notre Dame football, including Mike Broghammer, Matt Vogrich and 2010 guard Tom Droney was expected to make an unofficial visit. At least one player found the situation to be all he had hoped for and more as Broghammer is to Join Brey's Team in 2009 (South Bend Tribune).

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With already two verbal commitments from high school players in the 2009 class, including Jack Cooley and Joey Brooks, the Irish have picked up a third over the weekend with Minnetonka (MN) native Mike Broghammer pledging for ND.

Broghammer is a 6-foot-8, 215 lb power forward that knows his role on the floor and goes to work in the paint. Last season at Hopkins High School, Broghammer averaged about 12 points and 10 rebounds for coach Ken Novak and the Royals. A player like Broghammer provides depth behind Big East player of the year Luke Harangody upon his arrival and should be a nice compliment to Jack Cooley in the class, giving ND another physical player in the tough Big East, which will naturally help the NCAA Tournament Odds of the Irish in the future.

Cooley is the heir to the throne in the post for Notre Dame that is currently occupied by Harangody. Cooley is a very similar player to Harangody as he comes to work every game and thrives in a rugged game. He is well equipped for the physical play of the Big East. Cooley is a double-double machine with Glenbrook South and knows his place is in the paint.

Cooley joins Joey Brooks, who chose Notre Dame over Arizona State, Marquette, Oklahoma State, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest back in early Novemeber of 2007. He was an AAU teammate of former Irish target Steven Tchiengang who the Irish pursued until he committed to Vanderbilt.

The 2009 class still has two scholarships available with Ty Proffitt deciding to transfer to Morehead State after Notre Dame's recent trip to Ireland. With commitments in hand from Cooley, Brooks and Broghammer, the Irish are in very good position for a strong class in 2009 and now look to cap it off in a big way. In addition to Broghammer this past weekend, another top 2009 target in Lake Forest Academy's Matt Vogrich visited the Irish. Vogrich has seen his stock explode this summer and his shooting prowess has schools from coast to coast after him, including UCLA and Wake Forest, as well as ND. The big prize that Brey and the Irish have been hot on the trail of is Raleigh (NC) 6'9 forward Ryan Kelly, whose stock has soared the last several months. We will continue to track Irish possibilities on the recruiting trail as the official visit period heats up and the attraction of Notre Dame football is used to their advantage.

Notre Dame, which did not sign any high school players from the class of 2008, does have a pair of new faces in the program for the 2008-2009 season. Scott Martin played a vital role on the Purdue Boilermakers NCAA Tournament team of the 2007-2008 season. Martin averaged 8.5 points a game and nearly 4 rebounds a contest in 22 minutes a game, appearing in 32 contests for the 25-9 squad.

Martin hit 31% of his three-point attempts as a freshman and was second on the team with 78 made free throws, showing his ability to play inside and out offensively. The 6'8 wing played high school basketball at Valparaiso High School and was an AAU teammate of Irish big man Luke Harangody. After transferring from Purdue, Martin also visited Butler and Valpo, but he looks like an ideal player in Mike Brey's scheme and should step imeediately into the position vacated by Ryan Ayers in the line-up after Ayers graduates. Martin will have three years of eligibility remaining after sitting out the 2008-2009 season.

Earlier this spring Notre Dame added Mississippi State transfer Ben Hansbrough, the younger bother of national Player of the Year recepient Tyler Hansbrough. The native of Poplar Bluff (MO) averaged 10.5 points a game as a sophomre, connecting on 36% of his shots from beyond the arc. Hansbrough played over 33 minutes a game in his 30 contests this past season, helping Mississippi State to the 2nd round of the NCAA Tournament. Hansbrough could be the heir to Kyle McAlarney when he graduates and will have two years of eligibility ofter sitting out the 2008-2009 season.


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Notre Dame/Big East Presence Felt at Hall of Fame

Last night in Springfield, MA the stars were out in full force at the Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony.  Big East schools were well represented as inductees included possibly the best players in the history of Notre Dame and Georgtown respectively as well as a Seton Hall alum who reinvented the way the sport of college basketball is perceived around the world.  

Undoubtedly one of the all-time greatest players at Notre Dame to ever lace up a pair of sneakers, Adrian Dantley was the first new member inshrined Friday night.  He was presented by his legendary high school coach Morgan Wooten.  Among those cited as influences on his career were his wife and Chet Walker, whom he said he mimicked all of his moves in practice.  He also recognized his childhood idol Elgin Baylor, who his game has been compared to on many occasion.  

Later in the night, the best and most emotional speech of the night was predictably given by Seton Hall grad and former Rutgers assistant coach Dick Vitale.  Although he was being inshrined almost exclusively for his contributions to broadcasting, he spoke extensively on his formative years in the Big East heartland.  Vitale was presented to the Hall by close friend Bob Knight who was brought to rare tears when acknowledged by Vitale.  Among those recognized by Vitale were broadcast mates Mike Patrick, Brad Nessler, and Jay Bilas as well as his wife, kids, and his late friend Jim Valvano.  Vitale's humble speech also included a thank you to fellow inductee, Piston's owner Bill Davidson, who hired Vitale as the coach of his team in 1978. 

Finally, there was the induction of the most accomplished and arguably most dominant player in the history of the Big East conference, Patrick Ewing.  Ewing led Georgetown to 3 straight Final Fours in the mid 80's leading the school to its only title ever in 1984.  Ewing acknowledged fellow new Hall of Famers Hakeem Olajuwon and his pro coach Pat Riley, as well as his coach at Georgetown John Thompson, who was also in attendance.  

The group of hardwood legends in attendance included Magic Johnson, Jerry West, Bob Cousy, and Isaiah Thomas, amongst many others.  All in all, it was one of the most accomplished classes in recent memory, involving legendary players, owners, coaches, and broadcasters.  It was truly a great night for the game.  

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SCHEDULES REVEALED!!!!!!!!!!!!

Big East teams as well as others unleashed their schedules on the world today. Official Big East website posted has posted the highlights including 2 ESPN Gameday appearances, one in South Bend and another in Morgantown. Visit the site at http://www.bigeast.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=19400&ATCLID=1575028 to pick up the rest of the details.

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BIG EAST FOOTBALL PREVIEW: WEEK #1 NOTRE DAME

September 4, 2008


Last year was a forgettable season for Notre Dame football fans. The Irish were awful under Charlie Weiss, finishing 3-9 with their wins coming against UCLA (6-7), Duke (1-11) and Stanford (4-8) and they will try to but last season behind them when they open their season this Saturday on the Notredame Broadcast Channel, better known as NBC on your local listings, with San Diego State at 3:30 PM.

For the Irish to have any hope to reach one of the plethora of NCAA Bowl Games this year, starting off on the right foot against SDSU is a must. There is no Marshall Faulk for SDSU this year as, well, they are awful, something they proved in their loss to Cal Poly last weekend.

Cal Poly racked up nearly 500 yards of offense against SDSU in the 29-27 win at San Diego State. The Irish should have a field day, and despite Michigan looming the following week, the NCAA Football Odds are listing the Irish as 20+ point favorites in their opener.

Expect QB Jimmy Clausen to be much improved and an upper-classmen heavy offensive line should fare well against SDSU allowing him to find a comfort level. There are not enough SDSU's on this schedule to help the Irish get bowl eligible, but for one weekend, Notre Dame Stadium will have something to cheer about.


Prediction:

Notre Dame 48
SDSU 17

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