I awoke this morning at around 3:30 AM paying for a celebration that is typically reserved for a football victory. I’m sure celebrating with some fellow Sorin Otters did aid the situation, but then again, I can’t ever remember a time in which we gathered together for a basketball game.
Yet here we are, in a world in which Notre Dame easily dispatched Wichita State on the heels of a late 15-2 run, advancing to the Elite Eight with a 81-70 victory. And a world in which Mike Brey can give a cocky, well-earned “how do you like me now?” interview at the end of the game:
Mike Brey to Lewis Johnson: "You asked me about my offense in the first half. What did you think of the second half?" #NotreDame #NDvsWSU
— Tyler James (@TJamesNDI) March 27, 2015
None of this feels real. In fact, my dyslexia actually kicked in at one point during the second half during Notre Dame’s run. I went to get a beer, came back, and my brain did its damnedest to tell me a double digit ND lead wasn’t actually happening.
But around the corner waits Kentucky who absolutely demolished West Virginia 78-39, pushing their record to 37-0. Today, people are convinced that Kentucky could beat a NBA team because dealing in fantasy is apparently fun (and getting all the clicks!).
That’s not to say that I’m now somehow convinced that the Irish will be the one to put the one in 37-1. I know that the safe bet is to expect Kentucky to destroy ND with their superior size and athleticism, especially since ND’s weakness is interior defense.
But Notre Dame is playing with house money right now. The “Elite” moniker will remain on this team forever, regardless of the result tomorrow night. Right now, the worst-case scenario is that the team favored to win this tournament and go 40-0 does what is expected and beats ND on their way to the title.
The best-case? I’m not even sure I can write that hypothetical down right now.
I won’t lie though, I wanted ND to earn this shot. I want to see just how well this team can hang with Kentucky and if the absolutely incredible happens, I will be more than happy to have a another painful early-morning wake-up call once again.
The Roundup
Tonight on the radio show. We’ll talk ND hoops and the NCAA tournament as a whole. Plus, we’ll catch up on some of the latest news from ND’s spring practice and other headlines around the nation. Tune in tonight at 6pm CT and if you’ve listed to the show before, please do me a solid and fill this survey out which will give you chance to win one of four $25 Amazon gift cards as a thanks.
Well, at least it wasn’t a tattoo. Ohio State QB, Braxton Miller, decided to jump on the AdvoCare bandwagon and Ohio State compliance is on the case. He probably won’t get in trouble as there is likely no real violation; however, I’m certainly hoping he got some blocks and unfollows on Instagram because that AdvoCare crap is annoying.
“They just wish they were Trojans.” Well, Mike Garrett’s infamous quote was certainly wrong, but it’s clear the NCAA wanted to stick it to Southern Cal and Pat Haden ain’t happy. Hilariously enough, one of the things that pushed the NCAA over the edge was the hiring of Lane Kiffin.
Well, I may just agree with Harbaugh. He stated that he wasn’t worth $5 million/year.
The UAB Football saga continues. Al.com uncovered documents that stated the football program was a dead man walking all season. Now, a state representative, Jack Williams, is calling for UAB President, Ray Watts, to step down and is trying to file legislation to get the program back.
And now your moment of Nix… Remember the Baylor O-lineman turned TE that’s gave us fat guy touchdown joy during the Cotton Bowl. Well, here he is CATCHING PASSES ONE HANDED:
The Booze
Now, I don’t just have some fellow Otters in town because of basketball. We are all getting back together to celebrate a wedding. However, when this happens, this always means that Fireball is in our future (and it was a player last night).
Yes, this is a horrible and evil suggestion for this weekend’s booze, but I guess I’m just trying to spread the pain.
Also, I want to thank the good Lord that Fireball wasn’t available in college because I would probably not have a functional liver right now. Why does it have to be so tasty? Bad decisions shouldn’t be so delicious.
Texan by birth, Irish by choice.
First-generation Domer and a former student manager, HLS podcast host, HLS Sim creator, Extra Life streamer, and technical problem haver. You can find more non-Notre Dame related writing on his Patreon.
- Epilogue - January 3, 2022
- HLS Podcast Finale - January 2, 2022
- The Final Fiesta: Notre Dame vs Oklahoma State NCAA ’14 Sim - December 31, 2021
