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Notre Dame was unable to get a sixth year of eligibility out of the NCAA for their oft-injured star Tim Abromaitis, but they were able to get the same situation approved for forward Scott Martin (Valparaiso, Ind.). The Purdue transfer will return to play for the Irish in 2012-13.
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Given what was expected of Notre Dame this year, versus what they’ve produced, it’s time to talk about Fighting Irish leader Mike Brey as possible conference coach of the year. He has two Big East coaching awards already (’07, ’08), but this could be the best coaching job he’s ever done.
A so-called rebuilding year has turned into a 21-4, top ten nationally ranked season. ND has won its last seven Big East games, matching the second-longest Big East regular-season win streak in program history.
Their overtime win over #15 Louisville this past week conveyed all that has been going right for ND this year.
“The whole team brought a lot of confidence,” said star guard Ben Hansbrough.
“Especially when I had that rebound and I dropped it. It was great to see my guys will their way back into it and continue to fight.”
By Paul M. Banks
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Notre Dame is off to its best start in 30 years in men’s college basketball and gaining confidence with every victory. The eighth-ranked Fighting Irish too their seventh straight Saturday, routing runt of the Big East litter South Florida 78-55 with a balanced scoring attack led by Jack Cooley’s career-high 18 points.
The strong start is the program’s best since the 1980-81 season. The Irish can match their best-ever record through 14 conference games (11-3 in 2000-01) by winning at No. 25 West Virginia next Saturday.
For those of you unaware, Cooley is nicknamed “Baby Gody” because of the fact that he has the same haircut and looks a lot like the just departed Luke Harangody.
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In the offseason, the talk around the college basketball program in South Bend was all about personnel losses -most notably Tory Jackson and Luke Harangody- not new additions.
But today Notre Dame’s 21-4 record signifies the best 25-game start under head coach Mike Brey. It’s the first time the Irish have won at least 21 of their first 25 games since the 1980-81 campaign. Notre Dame’s 10-3 Big East record matches the best 13-game start in Big East play in program history. The Irish have secured their second straight 10-win Big East campaign and it’s the seventh time (in 11 seasons) under Brey that Notre Dame has notched at least 10 league victories.
A big reason is Scott Martin, a Purdue transfer who missed the last two seasons, one from NCAA mandated transfer protocol, and a second year from a knee injury. Martin is a 6-8 senior who sees most of his 27 minutes a game at guard.
By Paul M. Banks
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One of the keys to Notre Dame’s college basketball season will be how much the Irish get out of Scott Martin, a Purdue transfer who missed the last two seasons, one from NCAA mandated transfer protocol, and a second year from a knee injury.
Martin is a 6-8 senior who sees most of his 27 minutes a game at guard. At Media Day Coach Mike Brey discussed what Martin’s best strength is.
“He really can rebound the ball, that’s something he does but it’s got to be a couple different guys.”
The Irish are currently 6-0 and in order for their record to stay impressive they’ll need to get the most out of Martin, the team’s fifth leading scorer and rebounder.
By Paul M. Banks
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The Big East is once again stacked this year. Eight of the top 39 teams in my “99 in 99” college basketball preview rankings call the conference home. Notre Dame comes in at #39 despite losing four-year starters Luke Harangody and Tory Jackson. Click here if you missed teams #40-#99.
You can also check out Paul M. Banks’ story from the Irish’s media day.
By: David Kay
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