Notre Dame Falls to Stingy Connecticut Defense

The nation's longest league home winning streak is an end.  Notre Dame lost to Connecticut Huskies 69-61 in South Bend on Saturday, January 24th.  The Huskies stayed true to their earlier media promise, effectively holding the Irish to thirty-three percent shooting from the floor, and an unusually how twenty-nine percent from the three point line.  According to ESPN.com/AP, Connecticut Coach Jim Calhoun was pleased with his team's impressive performance, stating "We contested every shot.  We got a piece of 15 balls at different times on passes and we ran and put pressure on teh offensively and defensively."  This approach worked, as the Irish looked equally frustrated on offense and on defense.  Connecticut's length and athleticism generated several turnovers and blocks, in addition to snagging fifty-three rebounds.  Luke Harangody, however, was not intimidated by UConn and nor was he bothered by rival Hasheem Thabeet's trash-talking, posting a solid twenty-four points and fifteen rebounds, in addition to several key defensive sequences.  Notre Dame Coach Mike Brey expressed obvious relief at the ending of the streak, stating "That's probably the tightest we've played during the streak.  I feel we played like the weight of teh world was on us" (ESPN.com/AP).  

Overall, this classic Big East match-up lived up to the hyped expectations.  The match-up between Thabeet and Harangody was impressive.  Thabeet is athletic and long, and he has the ability to consitently block shots and change the shot selections of opponents.  Although, he did have issues with Harangody.  Harangody is a very experienced and well rounded player; he can take you out of the paint and hit outside shots, and he moves well within the Notre Dame offensive system.  He was able to make a couple of key fade-away shots that neutralized Thabeet's ability to block or alter his shot.  Harangody was the clear winner of this match-up; he displayed a more complete game than Thabeet.  Come tournament time, however, both these teams will be clear contenders to go deep into the third or fourth rounds.  

For more stats and information on the game click here.