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Quinn excited about 'fresh start' with Broncos

March 15, 2010 10:05 AM | 1 Comment
The Cleveland Plain-Dealer reports: Brady Quinn was surprised to be traded by the Browns but is looking forward to competing with Kyle Orton for the starting quarterback job in Denver.

"It will be a fresh start for me and great opportunity with a very talented team and it should be a lot of fun,'' Quinn told the Plain-Dealer. "At this point, I'm just looking to create a role for myself on the team. Anytime you're in a situation like this, that's all you can really do is just go in there and learn the system, get to know your teammates and coaches, everyone else and that's really my focus right now. All of those things will take care of themselve in the end.''

Get the full story: Cleveland.com
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Orton confident despite Broncos' deal for Quinn

March 15, 2010 8:38 AM | 1 Comment
The Denver Post reports: Former Bears quarterback Kyle Orton is confident he remains the starter in Denver despite the Broncos' acquisition of former Notre Dame star Brady Quinn.

"I have talked to (coach) Josh (McDaniels) and I will keep that private, but I do have total confidence that I'm the guy there," Orton said. "Just like every year, I'm going in to try to earn my starting job. I don't think I have anything to fret."

Orton, traded to the Broncos in the Jay Cutler deal, beat out Chris Simms a  year ago. He implied that he didn't always feel he had a fair crack at the starting job while he was with the Bears.

"Whether you trade for a guy, or draft a guy, or you sign a guy in free agency, all you ask for is a chance for competition -- like I had last year with Chris," Orton said. "I've been in situations where that wasn't the case, and that's the most frustrating deal. If you get beat out by a guy, you can handle that. If you never have a chance to compete, then that's a whole different story."

Get the full story: DenverPost.com
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Notre Dame: No. 6 seed in South region

March 14, 2010 9:00 PM | No Comments

By Brian Hamilton

Notre Dame vs. Old Dominion, 11:25 a.m. CT on Thursday

A big finish led to a big bump in seeding for Notre Dame. But the road out of the Big Easy will be anything but.

The Irish's late-season six-game win streak and run to the Big East tournament semifinals earned them some points in the eyes of the NCAA Tournament selection committee, which placed Notre Dame as a No. 6 seed in the South region.

"I told our guys, they're really to be congratulated on earning a six," Irish coach Mike Brey said Sunday evening. "We thought it was a heck of a run we finished with -- it was probably even better than we thought, to earn a six seed. It says a lot about what this group did to put us in that position."

No. 11 seed Old Dominion will be the first-round opponent in New Orleans on Thursday -- but lurking in the second round is a matchup with No. 3-seed Baylor, a power squad out of the Big 12.

Get your printable blank bracket here

Get the full story: Notre Dame: No. 6 seed in South region.

Countdown to Selection Sunday

March 14, 2010 12:09 PM | 1 Comment

By Shannon Ryan

Get your printable blank bracket here

Some teams' seasons will come to an end, while others' seasons are just getting started.

That's the life of basketball teams living on one side or other of the NCAA tournament bubble.

At 5 p.m., the 2010 NCAA tournament field will be announced. Given the amount of parity in college basketball this season, there will probably be plenty of teams feeling jilted and others vindicated.

Basketball fans eager to fill out a bracket have plenty of questions as they await the unveiling of the 2010 bracket.

Teams like Illinois, Rhode Island, Mississippi State and Virginia Tech will be among the last teams left in or out. The Bulldogs are battling Kentucky for the SEC crown and have a chance at automatically qualifying.

VOTE: Does Illinois deserve to make the tournament?

Get the full story: Countdown to Selection Sunday.

Bye-bye Brady? Browns sign QB Delhomme

March 13, 2010 4:55 PM | No Comments

bquinn.JPG

ESPN.com reports: In the same week it traded for Seneca Wallace, Cleveland Browns reached agreement on an two-year deal with quarterback Jake Delhomme, according to an NFL source.

Now, a Browns quarterback depth chart that once featured former Notre Dame star Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson, is expected to feature Delhomme and Wallace.

The Browns have shopped Quinn and now that Delhomme will land in Cleveland, those trade talks could intensify.

Get the full story at espn.com.

Photo: Browns quarterback Brady Quinn is about to be sacked by Baltimore's Trevor Pryce. (Ed Suba Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal)

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Notre Dame gets on bus after flights washed out

March 13, 2010 4:37 PM | No Comments
By Brian Hamilton

NEW YORK -- Monsoon season apparently has arrived in New York City, with a deluge of rain accompanied by biting wind gusts that ruined plenty of people's moods. Including, most likely, those of the Notre Dame basketball team.

As a result of the weather, the Irish's 10 a.m. charter flight back from the Big East tournament was canceled Saturday morning. So the coaches, players and staff members loaded onto a pair of buses for the excruciatingly unexciting trip across Interstate 80 that should climb into the 11-hour range.

"I'm Coach Clark Griswold today!" Irish coach Mike Brey said via text message, alluding to the venerable Chevy Chase character from the National Lampoon "Vacation" movies.
Get the full story: Notre Dame gets on bus after flights washed out.

Notre Dame falls short at buzzer in Big East semi

March 12, 2010 10:47 PM | No Comments
nd-westvirginia.jpgBy Brian Hamilton

NEW YORK -- In a game it had no business winning, Notre Dame had a chance to do so at the very end.

An epic struggle offensively against a top 10 team nonetheless boiled down to one final chance to win, but a Tory Jackson 3-pointer with time running out came up short and the Irish fell 53-51 to West Virginia in a Big East tournament semifinal.

Thus the Irish miss a chance to participate in their first-ever conference tournament title game, instead heading home to await a slotting in the NCAA Tournament bracket that seemed highly unlikely just a month ago.

Photo: Notre Dame's Ben Hansbrough shoots over West Virginia's Devin Ebanks. (AP / Frank Franklin II)
Get the full story: Notre Dame falls short at buzzer in Big East semi.

Notre Dame lingering at half against West Virginia

March 12, 2010 9:26 PM | No Comments
By Brian Hamilton

NEW YORK -- This is what methodical, deliberate, snooze-inducing basketball gets you: a chance to stay in a game when you've been outplayed in almost every facet.

Notre Dame didn't look nearly as bouncy or efficient as West Virginia in the first half of their Big East tournament semifinal on Friday, but that didn't stop the Irish from clinging to relevancy and trailing just 23-20 at halftime.
Get the full story: Notre Dame lingering at half against West Virginia.

Notre Dame, Marquette eye Big East tourney final

March 12, 2010 5:23 PM | No Comments
By Brian Hamilton

NEW YORK -- Never, not once, in the history of the venerable Big East tournament have Notre Dame or Marquette played for the championship. And in a confluence only those with time-traveling ability could foresee, both are one step away at Madison Square Garden tonight.

Such is the mesmerizing calamity of the Big East tourney bracket. Georgetown, a semifinalist as a No. 8 seed, has seven league tournament crowns. The other three semifinalists own a grand total of zero, with the Irish and the Golden Eagles never even getting a shot.
Get the full story: Notre Dame, Marquette eye Big East tourney final.

Notre Dame stuns Pittsburgh, moves into semis

March 11, 2010 8:07 PM | No Comments
By Brian Hamilton

NEW YORK -- If Notre Dame is indeed becoming one of the best college basketball stories around, it's turning into quite a long read.

The Irish pulled off the biggest stunner of a day full of them so far, upending No. 2-seed Pittsburgh 50-45 in a Big East tournament quarterfinal, a sixth straight win for the once left-for-dead club. Next up is a meeting with either West Virginia or Cincinnati on Friday night at Madison Square Garden. Unbelievably, inexplicably.

And, slowly.

Notre Dame (23-10) caught the Panthers in the mire of its "Burn" offense and never let go. The Irish shot 53 percent from the floor and then made two huge defensive stops in the final minute to protect a two-point lead. Two free throws from Luke Harangody (12 points) effectively sealed it with 15.9 seconds left.

Notre Dame shoots to halftime lead over Pitt

March 11, 2010 6:53 PM | No Comments
By Brian Hamilton

NEW YORK -- The slow-to-a-slog philosophy Notre Dame now espouses isn't as jarring to blue-collar Pittsburgh as to most other foes, but that doesn't mean it isn't effective.

It just isn't as effective, apparently. The Irish were immaculate offensively in the first half of a Big East tournament quarterfinal, shooting better than 60 percent from the floor, but all that produced was a mere 32-29 halftime lead over the No. 2-seed Panthers.

Notre Dame had terrific ball movement (12 assists on 13 field goals) and balance (six players scored, no one in double figures). But a 9-2 spurt by Pittsburgh midway through the half made it close, and it figures that the Panthers have another burst in them. It'll be up to the Irish to answer.

Beating Pitt would enhance Notre Dame's story

March 11, 2010 5:32 PM | No Comments
By Brian Hamilton

NEW YORK -- Maybe something in the air of Madison Square Garden's venerable-but-questionable underbelly had Mike Brey a little punchy. Because after one win in the Big East tournament, the Notre Dame coach was ready to do the jobs of all the writers before him.

"We're one of the best stories in college basketball right now," Brey crowed.

That might have been exaggeration, or at least premature by a night. If the Irish can pull off a third straight upset on quarterfinal day at the Big East tourney, downing No. 2 seed Pittsburgh in a game that tips at 6 p.m., then maybe Brey has a point.
Get the full story: Beating Pitt would enhance Notre Dame's story.

Clausen outscores Tebow on Wonderlic test

March 11, 2010 9:42 AM | 1 Comment
The Palm Beach Post reports: Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, whose intangibles supposedly enhance his pro-football resume, scored slightly below average for an NFL quarterback on the Wonderlic test, a 12-minute, 50-question exam given at the scouting combine that assesses learning and problem-solving abilities.

Tebow scored a 22 on the Wonderlic, an NFL source told the Post. The average score for an NFL quarterback is 24. Oklahoma's Sam Bradford had the best score among the 2010 draft's top four QB draft prospects with a 36 (Texas' Colt McCoy scored a 25 and Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen a 23).

Get the full story: PalmBeachPost.com

With win, Notre Dame likely seals NCAA bid

March 10, 2010 7:58 PM | No Comments
ndbigeast.gif Photo: Mike Brey reacts with his team from the bench against Seton Hall. (Jim McIsaac / Getty Images)
By Brian Hamilton

NEW YORK -- Notre Dame, bubbling? Over.

The last potential trapdoor to an NCAA Tournament bid was soldered shut Wednesday night, a 68-56 victory over Seton Hall in the second round of the Big East Tournament likely eliminating all doubt that the Irish will hear their name called on Selection Sunday.
Get the full story: With win, Notre Dame likely seals NCAA bid.

Harangody powers Notre Dame to lead at half

March 10, 2010 6:54 PM | No Comments
By Brian Hamilton

NEW YORK -- So this Luke Harangody guy. Why isn't he starting for Notre Dame again?

If there was any question about the All-Big East forward's value to the Irish, and whether he's back from a bone bruise that cost him five games, the first half of a Big East tournament game against Seton Hall answered all queries.

Notre Dame leads 28-21 and Harangody has 15 points and nine rebounds after coming off the bench not four minutes in. He immediately changed the game, as Seton Hall ripped off an early 11-0 run and then was outscored by 18 points over the last 15 minutes of the first half.

After Seton Hall dropped 109 points on Providence a night ago, the Irish are commanding the pace, with the Pirates managing just two fast break points and shooting just 28.6 percent.

Notre Dame, Seton Hall ready for bubble battle

March 10, 2010 5:42 PM | No Comments
By Brian Hamilton

NEW YORK -- There's just a lot of time on the hands of talking heads everywhere, which is why the Big East tournament tilt between Notre Dame and Seton Hall tonight is being framed as the most intense battle since Antietam.

The reality is far less stark, of course, though there are Selection Sunday chits at stake. Win, and Notre Dame should have little to worry about when the invitations start flowing in over the weekend. Lose, and those NCAA Tournament hopes aren't completely vaporized, but there will be some nerves to deal with.

Seton Hall needs the victory more, not solidly in anyone's projected tournament field at all. It should be an interesting conflict of style, the Pirates racing to 109 points just last night and the Irish now controlling tempo and demanding defensive patience from its foes.

Winner faces No. 2-seed Pittsburgh on Thursday night. Loser spends the next week or so convincing everyone it's not dead yet.

Report: Browns shopping former Irish QB Quinn

March 10, 2010 4:08 PM | 3 Comments

ESPN.com reports: Brady Quinn could be the next Browns quarterback headed out the door, with the team set to host former Panthers QB Jake Delhomme on Thursday, league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Cleveland released Derek Anderson on Tuesday, and the Browns are said to be shopping Quinn to several teams while exploring the acquisition of another quarterback.

Get the full story: ESPN.com

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Source: Notre Dame would have to court Big Ten

March 10, 2010 1:54 PM | 5 Comments
By Teddy Greenstein

A few thoughts on Notre Dame expansion talk, after Irish athletic director Jack Swarbrick comments Tuesday that although the school's strong preference is to remain independent, "seismic" changes brought on by Big Ten or Pac-10 expansion could "force" its move into a league.

A source within the Big Ten told the Tribune last month that given what transpired in 2003, when Notre Dame all but accepted an invitation to join the Big Ten before pulling back, "the only way they will be offered is if they first accept. The Big Ten went down that road and got burned. Fool me once, fool me twice."

In other words, the Big Ten will not court Notre Dame. The Irish would have to do the romancing. Or at least set up the first date.
Get the full story: Source: Notre Dame would have to court Big Ten.
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South Florida bubble bursts at Big East tourney

March 10, 2010 1:18 PM | No Comments
By Brian Hamilton

NEW YORK -- Despite its recent renaissance, Notre Dame still could use a win tonight against Seton Hall to cinch an NCAA Tournament spot. But at least one more team slid off the bubble already at Madison Square Garden, helping make room for the Irish.

South Florida was pummeled by Georgetown 69-49 in the first game of the day here at the Big East tournament, the Bulls shooting a measily 29.1 percent from the floor and missing nine of its 10 3-point attempts.

South Florida likely needed an upset today to move toward an NCAA invite, as a 20-11 overall record and a 9-9 regular-season finish in the league likely won't pass muster on Selection Sunday.

Georgetown, a bit wobbly of late, assured itself of a bid, thanks to 16 points apiece from Greg Monroe and Jason Clark. And with South Florida dispatched, that 6 p.m. second-round matchup between the Irish and Pirates could provide either side with that much greater a statement.

Notre Dame's Kelly on hoops, holes and hopes

March 10, 2010 9:46 AM | 2 Comments
By Brian Hamilton

NEW YORK -- Brian Kelly was in town Tuesday for a 48-hour glad-handing spree for the greater good of Notre Dame football, but that didn't mean he was oblivious to the revival potentially continuing just down 34th Street.

In fact, the unexpected resuscitation of the Irish men's basketball team was an object lesson for Kelly's football crew just a few days earlier, when the Irish football players had their first outdoor workout last Friday.

"I said, listen, what's happening on campus here, with the basketball team, is that 'indispensable man' that we all hear about growing up and how they have come together -- and we're going to have to do that as a football team at some point," Kelly said, referring to forward Luke Harangody's injury absence.
Get the full story: Notre Dame's Kelly on hoops, holes and hopes.

Notre Dame's Abromaitis wins scholar-athlete honor

March 9, 2010 10:43 PM | No Comments
By Brian Hamilton

NEW YORK -- Sitting on the floor about two feet away was Tim Abromaitis' oversized souvenir from the Big East tournament, a trophy with a bulky base and a giant gold basketball on top. It just wasn't for most improved player honors, which many figured the Notre Dame forward had a lock on.

"I didn't play last year," Abromaitis deadpanned Tuesday evening. "What is there really to improve on?"

Little, for sure, when it comes to his academic standing. Abromaitis was named the Big East scholar-athlete of the year Tuesday, his 17.2 points per game complemented by a 3.72 grade-point average and a graduation ceremony awaiting in May.
Get the full story: Notre Dame's Abromaitis wins scholar-athlete honor.

Big Ten Network makes expansion more likely

March 9, 2010 5:36 PM | 1 Comment
By Teddy Greenstein

A recent series by David Jones of the Patriot-News in Pennsylvania draw three conclusions regarding Big Ten expansion: 1) The Big Ten Network makes beefing up the league more likely than in previous years; 2) Rutgers remains the Big Ten's most intriguing candidate; and 3) Pitt would do little or nothing to extend the conference footprint.

Check out the stories here, here and here.

Another bowl? 'Pinstripe' set for Yankee Stadium

March 9, 2010 1:49 PM | 1 Comment
Tribune News Services

The first Pinstripe Bowl will be played at Yankee Stadium on Dec. 30 and will be televised by ESPN.

The game will include the No. 3 team in the Big East and the No. 6 school in the Big 12, excluding Bowl Championship Series participants.

"I think no matter what the sport, every kid who grows up wants to play at Yankee Stadium," Yankees president Randy Levine said Tuesday.

If the bowl had been played last season, the Yankees said Rutgers and Texas A&M would have been the participants. If one of the conferences cannot fill its bowl slot, Notre Dame could be considered.
Get the full story: Another bowl? 'Pinstripe' set for Yankee Stadium.
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Notre Dame AD: Conference expansion changes 'could be seismic'

March 9, 2010 12:18 PM | 1 Comment
swarbrick-cbs.jpgBy Brian Hamilton

NEW YORK -- Every time the issue of conference realignment arises, it inevitably leads to more questions about Notre Dame's independence for Jack Swarbrick. And every time, Swarbrick reiterates that the Irish intend to remain independent unless the changes render that policy untenable.

It was more of the same Tuesday morning in Manhattan, though Swarbrick did strike a cautious tone about the potential changes -- starting with Big Ten and Pac-10 expansion and going from there -- and how it affects Notre Dame.

"Our preference is clear," Swarbrick said, referring to football independence. "But we're at a point right now where the changes could be relatively small, or they could be seismic."

Photo: Athletic director Jack Swarbrick saysNotre Dame remains firm in its desire to retain its football independence. (Joe Raymond/AP)
Get the full story: Notre Dame AD: Conference expansion changes 'could be seismic'.

Notre Dame's Kelly moving Riddick to receiver

March 9, 2010 11:00 AM | 1 Comment
theoriddick2.jpgBy Brian Hamilton

NEW YORK -- Brian Kelly sat down for coffee in Manhattan on Tuesday morning and mused about issues big and small relating to Notre Dame football. And amid the chatter about the job and the challenges and the impending spring practices was a small nugget of significant interest:

Theo Riddick is officially now a wide receiver.

The sophomore-to-be showed explosive bursts as a freshman running back, but Kelly confirmed plans to shift him outside in order to maximize the use of his offensive weapons with the Irish.

"We have to get more touches for the three dynamic players at running back," Kelly said. "We got three really dynamic players that need to get on the field.

Photo: Theo Riddick made an impact as a running back as a freshman in 2009. (Darron Cummings/AP)
Get the full story: Notre Dame's Kelly moving Riddick to receiver.

UConn's record win at Notre Dame's expense

March 8, 2010 7:25 PM | No Comments
Tribune News Services

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Tina Charles, Maya Moore and the latest Connecticut Huskies dynasty now has its own place in the record books.

Charles scored 16 points and Moore added 11 to help top-ranked Connecticut win an NCAA record 71st straight game -- a 59-44 victory over No. 6 Notre Dame on Monday night in the semifinals of the Big East tournament.

UConn surpassed its own mark set from Nov. 9, 2001, to March 11, 2003. Unlike that amazing run, which ended in a loss in the Big East conference tournament semifinals to Villanova, this Huskies team has thoroughly dominated its opponents in every game, winning all of them by double digits.

Get the full story: UConn's record win at Notre Dame's expense .
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Swarbrick: Notre Dame eyeing Chicago for 2012

March 8, 2010 3:47 PM | 1 Comment
By Brian Hamilton

When canvassing the continent for off-site home game locations, Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick has started with several premises, including this one: Find a spot where people think Irish football is a relatively big deal.

Which is why Notre Dame may be coming to Chicago as soon as 2012. Swarbrick confirmed to the Tribune on Monday what has long been in the works: Soldier Field is the target venue for an off-site home game slot yet to be filled two seasons down the line.

"We were solely focused on getting (2011) closed out, but having now achieved that we will turn in earnest to nailing down the off-site game for '12," Swarbrick told the Tribune. "Our starting point for that effort is to see if we can find the right opponent and date for a game in Chicago."
Get the full story: Swarbrick: Notre Dame eyeing Chicago for 2012.

Notre Dame's Jackson wins sportsmanship award

March 8, 2010 11:30 AM | No Comments
By Brian Hamilton

It wasn't necessarily the individual honor Notre Dame expected Monday, but it will have to do for the Irish and Tory Jackson.

The senior point guard and four-year starter was named the winner of the Big East Sportsmanship Award, the league announced Monday, calling Jackson "an exemplary four-year performer for Notre Dame."

The surprise? Pittsburgh's Ashton Gibbs outpacing the Irish's Tim Abromaitis for Most Improved Player plaudits.
Get the full story: Notre Dame's Jackson wins sportsmanship award.

Notre Dame, Maryland to play at FedEx Field in '11

March 8, 2010 11:22 AM | 1 Comment
By Brian Hamilton

What has long been expected as the next Notre Dame off-site home football game became official on Monday: The Irish will face Maryland on Nov. 12, 2011, from FedEx Field.

The 91,704-seat stadium is home to the Washington Redskins and the Washington, D.C., corridor was a no-brainer as athletic director Jack Swarbrick sought venues for future games. It will be the third in a series of off-site games and the fourth on the future schedules to date.

"Playing in the Washington, D.C., area seemed a natural for us in terms of institutional fit," Swarbrick said in a statement. "The size of the FedEx Field facility alone will provide great access to tickets for fans of both Notre Dame and Maryland."

Chicago and Soldier Field has long been considered a prime contender for Notre Dame's off-site home game in 2012.
Get the full story: Notre Dame, Maryland to play at FedEx Field in '11.
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Notre Dame women in Big East semis

March 7, 2010 1:29 PM | No Comments

Tribune News Services

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Skyler Diggins scored 21 points to lead No. 6 Notre Dame to a 75-67 victory over No. 16 St. John's in the quarterfinals of the Big East tournament.

Devereaux Peters added 13 for Notre Dame (27-4), which advances to play the winner of Sunday's quarterfinal between top-ranked UConn and Syracuse.

Shenneika Smith had 23 points and Da'Shena Stevens had 14 for St. John's (24-6), seeded fourth in the tournament.

Get the full story: Notre Dame women in Big East semis.
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