BIG EAST GAME PREVIEW: NOTRE DAME @ DEPAUL

December 31, 2008


DePaul looks to put the memory of another poor pre-conference performance behind them as they get new life with the start of the Big East schedule. Unfortunately for the Blue Demons, they open conference play against a strong Notre Dame club at Allstate Arena on New Year's Eve.

Here are some pregame stories found on the web:

No. 7 Notre Dame ready to Start Big East Play (Chicago Tribune)
Notre Dame's Harangody No Longer Affected by pressure (Chicago Tribune)

Notre Dame, despite two losses, has remained in the Top 10 during the pre-conference schedule and is set to open Big East play on the road against their nearest neighbor in the Big East, DePaul. While many Blue Demon fans will likely skip out on the game to go begin the New Year's festivities, expect a large contingent of Irish fans spending the New Year in Chicago and begin the partying watching their hoops team.

DePaul's mission in this out of conference schedule was to avoid the embarrassing losses that have plagued them the previously few years. While losing in California to Cal and UCLA is nothing to be ashamed of, their home loss to Morgan State was just an example of what they hoped to avoid. They were also blown out, 63-36, by Northwestern and lost in Vegas to Creighton. While they have got to see much of the country, five losses before the Big East schedule is going to leave a mark.

The Irish will look to establish the reigning Big East Player of the Year Luke Harangody inside against the thin DePaul frontcourt. Once help arrives, look for the balanced ND attack to heat up from the outside with Kyle McAlarney and Ryan Ayers spotting up for their shots. The man running the show, Tory Jackson, will likely rack up the assists in this one.

Looking over the NCAA Basketball Odds, the Irish are listed at 7 1/2 point favorites. What the Irish do well is score...something DePaul struggles to do...not a good match-up for the home team, and to make matters worse, it might not even feel like much of a home game with a large contingent of ND fans converging on the Windy City for New Year's

Prediction:

Notre Dame 77
DePaul 65

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BOWL PREVIEW: NOTRE DAME vs. HAWAII

December 23, 2008

Despite a 6-6 record with only one win coming against a team that finished with a winning record, Notre Dame will be spending Christmas in the Hawaiian islands when they take on Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl.

The Fighting Irish and Rainbows meet up on Christmas Eve at 8 PM. The latest NCAA Football Odds have the Irish as a 2 and a half point favorite.

Charlie Weiss will be looking for a new lease on life as the Irish coach. pressure mounted throughout the season, but peaked when the Irish were beaten at home by Syracuse late in the season. There was a lot of uncertainty about his future, but the University has announced Weiss will return for the 2009 season.

Weiss made a lot of promises and confident statements about his coaching ability when hired at Notre Dame. To this point, he does not have a lot to show for it as this year comes on the heels of a 3-9 season last year. Of Notre Dame's six wins in 2008, only Navy posted a winning record. The cumulative record of the other five opponents that ND beat was 14-46, a .233 winning percentage.

To be quite honest, Hawaii is not the offensive power that they have been int he past. They come into the game following a 7-5 season out of the WAC. For Hawaii, this is a big deal...while at Notre Dame, these are no the bowl games they were expecting when they signed up.

This game will mean more to Hawaii, playing at home...look for them to put another nail in the Weiss coffin.

Prediction:

Hawaii 30
Notre Dame 26

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