#3 Notre Dame vs. #1 Kentucky (Elite 8)

[Irish#1]

If you believe.

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[wizards8507]

From Sharp at Grantland:

If this were a sports movie, that game is exactly what happens before a team full of lovable, 3-point shooting underdogs takes Kentucky down. Arizona and Duke may theoretically match up with Kentucky better, but if the Wildcats lose, it won’t be because a team beat them at their own game. It will be a freak accident. Like, say, Jerian Grant and Pat Connaughton channeling the Holy Spirit for 40 minutes and draining so many 3s that Kentucky starts playing tight, the game gets way closer than it should, and it all comes down to one final shot. That’s when Connaughton, from Arlington, Massachusetts, steps out there, stares down Karl Towns and Willie Cauley-Stein, and hits a game winner in their faces. Cue music, cue still-photo montage of the celebration and a “Where are they now?” update, cut to credits.

An Emergency March Madness Viewing Guide «

 

[Whiskeyjack]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Lest anyone thinks shooting Fri was a fluke, it was only ND's 10th best eFG performance on the season & the 64.6 vs. UNC in Gboro was 8th</p>— JoeSchu (@JoeSchuOFD) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeSchuOFD/status/581547737432358913">March 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
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[dshans]

If you believe.

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Ah, yes. Those were the days! No three point line, not shot clock ... and shorts were shorts!

 

[irishfan]

Well, we beat three of the other seven Elite 8 teams this season. Kentucky has only beaten one. 3 ACC teams left, just Kentucky from the SEC. We shouldn't be lacking for confidence, we've been tested more than they have this season and have better wins.

I hope our strategy defensively is similar to the one we used against Duke a couple weeks ago. Shut down the 3-point line and let their big guys do their worst. We might only stop them 30-40% of the time, but we can out-score that. If we can do that and limit their transition game, we can beat them. We just have to make it the first media timeout unscathed. If we can take their first punch or two and respond, we can 100% beat them. Their best two wins are Louisville and UNC. They haven't seen anything as good as ND all season long. We can beat them.

 

[Grahambo]

This season has already been a success so tonight's game for me, I feel like I can actually enjoy it and not be nervous nelly about it.

 

[Henges24]

This season has already been a success so tonight's game for me, I feel like I can actually enjoy it and not be nervous nelly about it.

Agreed. Let's toast to the season and pray we don't get West Virginia'd tonight.

 

[Black Irish]

I think that if the Irish can get the ball through that round thing with the net on it more than KY, they can probably win. But I'm no expert.

 

[GoldenDomer]

We have to play great defense. They're gonna get their stops. We're a great scoring team but it's inevitable. We need to match that and limit the runs.

 

[Irish Insanity]

I think that if the Irish can get the ball through that round thing with the net on it more than KY, they can probably win. But I'm no expert.

Not if ours are only worth 1 or 2 and a lot of theirs are worth 3

 

[tussin]

I just don't see how ND can match up with Kentucky's bigs.

ND will need to shoot 50%+ from 3 to have a chance.

 

[Irish2155]

I just don't see how ND can match up with Kentucky's bigs.

ND will need to shoot 50%+ from 3 to have a chance.

I hate, hate, hate UK basketball. Their fans piss me off too.

ND has the best back court in America. Jackson and Grant are the real deal. Size will most certainly be an issue, but that's been an issue they've overcame all year...right?

Shooting 50%+ from deep for ND I don't think will be an issue...they fill it up

 

[Grahambo]

I just don't see how ND can match up with Kentucky's bigs.

ND will need to shoot 50%+ from 3 to have a chance.

Which is something they can do and is why some have said ND has a chance.

 

[connor_in]

If we beat UK, imma be like

 

[Irish2155]

If we beat UK, imma be like

Ha, put down the gun though...LOL

 

[irishfan]

Already posted that fivethirtyeight is giving us a 13% chance.

BPI gives us 11%. KenPom giving us 18%.

 

[AgentJ]

My gameplan would be to dupe UK into taking "open" jumpers rather than letting them dump it in possession after possession. They will make some chippies, ND will have to score to keep pace.

I got ND by 4.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

I feel like this is gonna be one of those heartbreakers where the game is close for 30 minutes, then UK rips it open down the stretch.

 

[Irish2155]

My gameplan would be to dupe UK into taking "open" jumpers rather than letting them dump it in possession after possession. They will make some chippies, ND will have to score to keep pace.

I got ND by 4.

Yeah, I agree, load the middle and make them hit jump shots. Hit the boards when they shoot and gather rebounds...a must. At the same time hope ND make's their's from deep. Take your time on offense, milk clock...let Jackson and Grant work (I truly feel like the Harrison's can't match up), and hit your three point attempts.

Easier said than done, right? LOL

 

[Irish#1]

Hoosiers was on this afternoon. Couldn't resist watching it again.

 

[GUknights75]

Some magic happened on ND campus just now, RIT defeated #1 Minnesota State 2-1 in the NCAA Men's Hockey tournament opening round in South Bend. RITs campus is 5 minutes from my house so im pretty stoked. Lets hope this is a good omen for the Irish to pull off a little magic tonight!

 

[NDWorld247]

Hoosiers was on this afternoon. Couldn't resist watching it again.

In preparation for tonight's game, I watched Hoosiers for the first time ever this afternoon. I was entertained, but it has no business on any "top sports movies of all-time" lists. I thought it would be a lot better than it was.

 

[twig21]

In preparation for tonight's game, I watched Hoosiers for the first time ever this afternoon. I was entertained, but it has no business on any "top sports movies of all-time" lists. I thought it would be a lot better than it was.

Wow, tough critic. Guess you have to be from Indiana and understand Hoosier BBall.

 

[tko]

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[NDWorld247]

Wow, tough critic. Guess you have to be from Indiana and understand Hoosier BBall.

Don't get me wrong, I liked it. I just expected more. Maybe my expectations were too high.

 

[twig21]

Don't get me wrong, I liked it. I just expected more. Maybe my expectations were too high.

Did you expect Gone With The Wind or Wuthering Heights? For a sports movie having actors like Gene Hackman, Dennis Hopper and Barbara Hersey is pretty good. I think I just feel like having a friendly debate to help with the pre game jitters, feeling a little jumpy right about now.

 

[ACamp1900]

In preparation for tonight's game, I watched Hoosiers for the first time ever this afternoon. I was entertained, but it has no business on any "top sports movies of all-time" lists. I thought it would be a lot better than it was.

You're dumb...

 

[wizards8507]

Is there any justification of how the #8 team and ACC champion is a 3 seed in the Kentucky bracket?

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 using Tapatalk.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

In preparation for tonight's game, I watched Hoosiers for the first time ever this afternoon. I was entertained, but it has no business on any "top sports movies of all-time" lists. I thought it would be a lot better than it was.

One of about 5 movies that consistently makes the room very "dusty" while watching. It is on the "Sports Movie Mt. Rushmore" IMO.

 

[Irish Insanity]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Let's turn KY to jelly.

(Sorry, had to do it)</p>— NDSquirrel (@NDSquirrel) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDSquirrel/status/581981256562262016">March 29, 2015</a></blockquote>
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