Rush The Court

Game #161.  Notre Dame has its eyes on a Big East title as the Irish travel east to face UConn and Kemba Walker.

UConn’s play over the past ten games has been consistent with how the coaches presumed the Huskies would perform in the Big East—Jim Calhoun’s squad was picked to finish 10^th in the 16 team conference. For much of the season, UConn’s youth were playing well beyond their years as they sprinted out to a 17-2 record and appeared to be a legitimate contender for the Big East title. Losing six of their last ten games, however, has brought UConn back down to earth. Kemba Walker has received little help as of late—something that he consistently received earlier in the season—and it has shown in UConn’s results and play. With Notre Dame—arguably the best team in the Big East with such potent shooting from beyond the arc—invading Gampel Pavilion, UConn has a great opportunity to earn a signature win before the Big East tournament begins. More importantly, the Huskies will undoubtedly gain a renewed sense of confidence heading into the postseason if they can knock off the Irish. It won’t be easy for UConn as Notre Dame is playing some of the best basketball around having won 10 of 11 games with Ben Hansbrough and Tim Abromaitis raining threes from all over the court, but the Huskies are playing within the friendly confines of Gampel Pavilion where they are almost unbeatable compiling a 27-2 record on their on-campus arena dating back to the 2007-08 season. Notre Dame has already locked up a top four seed in the upcoming conference tournament which gives them a double-bye into the quarterfinals. One may assume that ND does not have as much to play for as UConn, who is on the brink of having to play in the first round of the tournament, but they have a shot at earning a favorable seed in the NCAA Tournament—maybe even a #1 seed if they went onto win the Big East Tournament. With Notre Dame looking to obtain a top seed in the Dance and UConn jockeying for position in the Big East tournament, Saturday’s matinée affair in Hartford, CT will certainly be a great one.