Photo Illustration by Pat Coveney and Jaclyn Espinoza
Friday, March 19, 2010
The Observer ◆ IRISH
COMMENTARY
South Bend takes on vital role of sixth man A few weeks ago, a cookie cake at the Mishawaka Meijer caught my eye. It was situated on a shelf with the other generic decorated cakes that said “Happy Birthday,” or just contained a few flowers. This one, right in the middle of the display, was decoLaura Myers rated with an orangefrosting Sports Writer basketball. In blue letters, it read: “Go Irish women!” It was a little surprising to see that the bakery had thought of that particular message to sell a gigantic cookie. But it probably went quickly in this town. A few days ago, two stories in the South Bend Tribune caught my eye. Both were short staff reports containing news about the women’s team. The stories were labeled as “Notre Dame basketball.” A little searching found a recent story about the men’s team; it was labeled “Notre Dame men’s basketball.” That one might have just been an oversight, but certainly one indicative of the city-wide relationship with the women’s basketball team. The Irish are South Bend’s hometown heroes; a team the city has supported all year long, through good times and, well, Connecticut. It’s only fitting that Notre Dame begins its tournament road at home, as a reward to fans who packed the Purcell Pavilion for every game and sold it out six times. Prior to this season, the women’s basketball team had six sellouts in its entire history. Now it has 12 and looks to add a 13th Sunday for its first-round game against Cleveland State. “They’re our sixth man, they’re the fuel to our car to get us going,” said freshman guard Skylar Diggins, a South Bend native responsible in no small part for the city’s love of the team. Many fans have followed her career for years. Senior guard Melissa Lechlitner, another area native, said the community support has always been strong but was even better this season. “They are just excited and
enthusiastic about everything,” she said. It’s fair to say that the Irish football team belongs to alumni, as well as to “subway alumni” and fans all across the country, who are as dedicated as they come. It’s also fair to say that the men’s basketball team belongs to the students, who proudly wear their Leprechaun Legion t-shirts and pack the arena, chanting cheers specific to each opposing team. But the women’s basketball team truly belongs to South Bend and the surrounding area. It belongs to grown men and women in neon-green tshirts who dye their hair, wear funny hats and paint their faces green for game day. They stand up and dance when the band plays the fight song. And after the game, they take their children to Heritage Hall, where they get autographs on anything flat enough for the players to sign. “Even the last game we played against UConn here [on March 1], we were down what, 15, 20 and they were screaming and cheering like it was a one-point game,” Lechlitner said. In fact, there was just one moment at that Connecticut game when the crowd was silent: when the announcers were declaring the winner of the “Most Spirited Section” award for the section that had cheered hardest all season long. The crowd was also quiet for a moment during the Feb. 14 Pink Zone game when the announcer declared that Notre Dame had raised more than $70,000 for breast cancer research and awareness. The community didn’t stop there, though; the Irish have now toppled $100,000. With the exception of those two times, fans have made sure to keep the Purcell Pavilion loud and provided a great atmosphere, creating a home-court advantage that led to a 14-1 home record. And if the Irish add two more wins to that total this week, South Bend will certainly celebrate — perhaps with some giant cookies — knowing that it helped its favorite team on the march toward the championships. The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer. Contact Laura Myers at lmyers2@nd.edu
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Irish focused on Vikings By JARED JEDICK Senior Staff Writer
The postseason is about to begin for the No. 7 Irish, who earned a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament and are set to take on No. 15 seed Cleveland State on their home turf in the Purcell Pavilion. “We had a great season,” Irish coach Muffet McGraw said. “But the second season starts now, and we want to have a great second season.” The invitation marks the 17th time in school history that Notre Dame (27-5, 12-4 Big East) has been included in the NCAA tournament and is the team’s 15th consecutive appearance. The Irish were upset by Minnesota in the first round last year, putting an early end PAT COVENEY/The Observer to their tournament hopes. Freshman guard Skylar Diggins sends a behind-the-back pass to “I think after last year, we’re junior forward Devereaux Peters March 1 against Connecticut. going to really concentrate on Cleveland State,” McGraw said. season fourth in the Horizon screens and cuts that are going “I don’t think there’s any ques- League, but managed to put to be really hard to guard,” tion that this team knows what together a run in the confer- McGraw said. McGraw said that the team ence tournament, defeating can happen. “Hopefully we’ll play a little favored Butler 66-57 to earn has really been focusing on better than we did last year if the automatic bid. McGraw said defense this week, finding ways we make it to that second that the Cleveland State might to cover the Vikings’ fast-paced round, because Cleveland come in with a lot of momen- motion offense. Beyond working on defense, tum. State’s a pretty “They are Notre Dame plans to mix things good team too. You know, “You know, everyone’s coming off of a up in the tournament, develope v e r y o n e ’ s good. And at this time win,” McGraw ing both its offense and defense said. “They are to give teams something they good. And at of year, you’ve got coming in with a have never seen before. this time of nothing to lose, you “We’re putting a lot of new lot of confiyear, you’ve got wrinkles in, a lot of nuances to nothing to lose, just go out and play.” dence.” C l e v e l a n d the offense, a couple of differyou just go out State is led by ent looks on defense,” McGraw and play.” Muffet McGraw senior guard said. “You can’t do the same The Irish Irish coach Kailey Klein, thing.” have the If the Irish advance, they will who paces the advantage of team in scoring play the winner of the match playing in their home gym for the first two with 18.6 points and 7.3 between No. 7-seed Wisconsin (21-10, 10-8 Big East) and No. games of the tournament, an rebounds per game. “Klein is their best player; 10-seed Vermont (26-6, 13-3 advantage not lost on freshman she is a really good player,” America East). That matchup guard Skylar Diggins. “It is always good to have the McGraw said. “I think she shot would be Tuesday at the Purcell Pavilion. crowd on your side, and this about 168 3s on the season.” Wisconsin and Vermont will Pairing with Klein is junior crowd is so electric,” Diggins said. “They know that the guard Shawnita Garland, who tip off at noon Sunday at the crowd is not going to be on posts impressive numbers Purcell Pavilion, with Notre their side, so they are going to across the board with 13 Dame and Cleveland State slatcome in and we expect them to points, five rebounds, 3.3 ed to follow a half an hour after come out with a chip on their assists and three steals per the conclusion of that game. game. shoulders.” “They are a much faster- Contact Jared Jedick at The Vikings (19-13, 11-7 Horizon) finished the regular paced team, with those kinds of jjedick@nd.edu
Three players named All-Region By JARED JEDICK Senior Staff Writer
Freshman guard Skylar Diggins and senior guards Ashley Barlow and Lindsay Schrader each garnered allregion honors, which were announced Tuesday by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association. Forty players will be chosen from the 52 all-region nominees to become members of the 2010 State Farm Coaches’ All-America Team. This is the first time in team history that three Notre Dame players have received this honor in the same season. The Irish have only fielded multiple selections three times in their history, and only ten different players have earned the honor. Diggins is one of just three freshman this year to earn t h e h o n o r, a l o n g w i t h Delaware forward Elena
D o n n e a n d B a y l o r c e n t e r focused on just doing the little things every game that Brittney Griner. “ [ D i g g i n s ] i s d o i n g i t a l l give her team a better shot every single night, she has at winning the game. “I was pretty shocked been incredibly consistent for a freshman,” McGraw [about earning all-region said. “She has really had a honors],” Schrader said. “I fantastic year and wants to a l w a y s c o n s i d e r m y s e l f a really blueget better.” collar kind of Barlow said she is pleased “I feel like people are p l a y e r. I a m not going to that all the noticing what I am score twenty time she has doing. It is a big points for you, put into the but I will do team working accomplishment for all the little hard has finalme.” things for you: ly paid off. rebound, set a “I feel like good screen, people are Ashley Barlow and all the litnoticing what I senior guard tle things for am doing. It is you.” a big accomNotre Dame is among just plishment for me,” Barlow said. “I have been working three teams in the country really hard, so I feel like I with three all-region selecgot rewarded this year. It is tions. The other two are topseeded squads Connecticut a really big honor.” Schrader has b e e n and Tennessee. M c G r a w ’s g o - t o p l a y e r a l l Contact Jared Jedick at year when she has needed a b i g s h o t , b u t S c h r a d e r i s jjedick@nd.edu
Friday, March 19, 2010
The Observer ◆ IRISH
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A ‘sense of urgency’ Leading Notre Dame’s attack, five seniors get their final crack at the NCAA Tournament Final Four, as the No. 2 seed w i t h l e s s t h a n a m i n u t e t o in the Kansas City Region. But play, Barlow hit the gameSports Writer unlike the team from a year winning 3 after missing her a g o , t h i s y e a r ’s s q u a d f e a - previous four attempts. “She’s got such a great perDespite the buzz traditional- tures five seniors not willing l y a s s o c i a t e d w i t h M a r c h t o f i n i s h t h e i r c o l l e g i a t e sonality, and obviously everyone sees what she does on the Madness, Notre Dame’s NCAA careers just yet. “Last year we lacked that court,” senior guard Melissa To u r n a m e n t r u n l a s t y e a r c o u l d n o t h a v e b e e n m o r e sense of urgency in terms of Lechlitner said. “She brings anticlimactic. There was no ‘ T h i s i s o u r l a s t g a m e , ’ s o m u c h t o u s o f f e n s i v e l y, confetti pouring from the ceil- because we had no one grad- grabbing that huge rebound or making that ing, no unruly fans rushing uating,” senior clutch shot. the home court — just a first- f o r w a r d E r i c a Just the epitoround defeat at the hands of W i l l i a m s o n me of what a N o . 1 0 - s e e d M i n n e s o t a i n said. “With five “We just get along senior should f r o n t o f a s t u n n e d h o m e people who are do.” saying ‘This is crowd. with each other, we Each brings a W h i l e t h a t s c e n e n e v e r my last chance know how to work unique set of m a d e t h e I r i s h p o s t s e a s o n to wear a Notre well with each other.” s k i l l s t o t h e highlight film, the defeat has Dame uniform,’ floor that gives become ingrained in the we’re going to Irish coach memory of those on the court. go out and play Ashley Barlow Muffet McGraw “I don’t think it’s ever been t o t h e b e s t o f senior guard an arsenal of fully behind us,” senior guard our ability.” plays and styles They are a Lindsay Schrader said. “It’s to keep the always been in the back of unit of five senopposition on o u r m i n d s b e c a u s e t h a t ’s iors. Or maybe where our motivation came three guards, a forward, and i t s h e e l s . P e r h a p s j u s t a s from, that’s why we worked a h y br i d t h a t can play any i m p o r t a n t , p r a c t i c i n g a n d so hard this summer because p o s i t i o n o n t h e f l o o r. O r playing in the Big East togethof that and how we felt. We maybe two fierce competitors, er for four years has given never want to feel like that t w o u n s e l f i s h d i s t r i b u t o r s , them the opportunity to feed and a motivator that brings off each other’s talent. again.” PAT COVENEY/The Observer But their greatest asset to Irish senior Lindsay Schrader lines up her shot during Notre Yet with no seniors on the out the team’s best. Whatever 2009 team, no tears of disap- classifications are thrown on the team may be the seniors’ Dame’s 97-53 victory over Indianapolis in a preseason game. this y e a r ’s ability to develop the freshpointment were she’s there.” g r a d u a t i n g m e n a n d s o p h o m o r e s i n t o the season average. shed. Watching A starter for the majority of “I felt so helpless,” class, one unify- l e g i t i m a t e c o m p e t i t o r s o n the Sweet 16 Schrader said. “I’m not the her career, Williamson has bid be decided “Last year we lacked ing thread can both ends of the court. Guard Skylar Diggins has sitting on the sidelines kind of s e e n a s t e a d y r e d u c t i o n i n on their home that sense of urgency bd ee s c rui bs ee dt h etmo turned one of the best fresh- p e r s o n , I h a v e t o b e d o i n g playing time this season due court could in terms of ‘This is man campaigns in program something. When I saw my to the emergence of junior all. have been a “First a n d h i s t o r y, a n d i t ’s n o t o v e r. teammates out there needing forwards Becca Bruszewski demoralizing our last game,’ foremost, I McGraw credits Diggins’ rapid help and I couldn’t do any- a n d D e v e r e a u x P e t e r s i n t o experience, but because we had no playmakers in t h i n k a l l o f u s development into an All-Big t h i n g , I f e l t s o the desire to one graduating.” the post. b r i n g l e a d e r - East Second Team honoree to bad, sick to my make a return Despite the s h i p , ” s e n i o r the experience and maturity s t o m a c h was fueled that “I think the steady obvious tempbecause I felt so g u a r d A s h l e y of her veterans. day. Erica Williamson hand that we offer for tation to throw “I think that’s so important helpless.” Barlow said. “If I was a senior forward them allows them to in the towel, A l t h o u g h “ We ’ v e b e e n because she’s learning shots senior last year Williamson has to here four years, f r o m t h e u p p e r c l a s s m e n , ” t e m p t e d I would have play within the high some of us even McGraw said. “They’re help- b l a m e h e r s e l f been very, very themselves and excel taken road. disappointed with the way we five. We just get along with ing her, they let her be cre- for the only loss from that point.” “She’s really w e n t o u t , ” S c h r a d e r s a i d . each other, we know how to ative and play her game, and o f t h e s e a s o n , stepped up and still they communicate well S c h r a d e r s a i d “ A n d g o o d t h i n g w e d i d n ’t work well with each other.” is always doing had to Barlow’s leadership was put with her. She just fits in so s h e have any seniors because I Melissa Lechlitner everything she would have felt bad for them. to the test in one of the tough- w e l l w i t h e v e r y t h i n g a n d remind herself senior guard can for the to take a posiThis year, I just want to end est stretches of the season, a everyone.” t e a m , ” Lechlitner believes the abili- tive approach to two-game road trip beginning my career on a win.” To d o t h a t t h e I r i s h w i l l w i t h a m a t c h u p a g a i n s t ty of the seniors to maintain t h e s e t b a c k , t h e s a m e Lechlitner said. “She’s probah a v e t o m a k e i t t o S a n S y r a c u s e i n t h e h o s t i l e their composure and poise in approach she took when she bly one of the most unselfish Antonio, the site of this year’s Carrier Dome. Down by two the midst of a difficult situa- tore her ACL her sophomore players on this team and will tion has been especially help- s e a s o n . G r a t e f u l f o r t h e put her body on the line and ful to their teammates, who o p p o r t u n i t y t o p l a y i n t h e do absolutely everything she look to follow in their exam- t o u r n a m e n t , S c h r a d e r n o w needs to do to help us be sucl o o k s f o r w a r d t o a s e c o n d cessful.” ple. Walk-ons seldom get playing “We’re just a steady force,” chance at defending the home time at the collegiate level. Lechlitner said. “When adver- floor. guard Alena “It wasn’t my fault that I S e n i o r sity’s thrown or a game might be getting tight or we’re down got hurt,” Schrader said. “I Christiansen is no exception, a little bit, I think the steady just had to keep telling myself yet she has managed to posithat any given tively impact her team in a hand that we night anybody rarely appreciated position. offer for them “She’s found a great role for can go down. allows them to Yo u j u s t h a v e herself,” McGraw said. “She’s play within “I just want to make to put the best t h e f i r s t o n e o f f t h e b e n c h themselves and it to San Antonio, of your abilities cheering, giving everyone a excel from that to the time that pat on the back and encourpoint.” that’s my bread and you have it and agement if they’re not playing Every season butter right now.” t a k e n o t h i n g well.” has its ups and The seniors will leave quite for granted.” down and every But Schrader a legacy on the women’s basteam must deal Lindsay Schrader is just one link k e t b a l l p r o g r a m , o n e t h a t with the possisenior guard i n M c G r a w ’s i n c l u d e s f o u r t o u r n a m e n t bility of injury. f o u r - g u a r d appearances and a trip to the When Schrader offense. A nat- Sweet 16 in 2008. However, sprained her ural p o i n t they still have some unfinankle in the f i r s t h a l f o f a v i c t o r y o v e r g u a r d a n d t h e u n a n i m o u s ished business. “I just want to make it to D e P a u l , t h a t p o s s i b i l i t y leader on offense, Lechlitner’s b a l l - h a n d l i n g s k i l l s a r e a San Antonio, that’s my bread became a reality. N o t r e D a m e b e c a m e a complement to her drive and a n d b u t t e r r i g h t n o w, ” Schrader said. “If I can do noticeably different team on outstanding work ethic. “ S h e ’s t h e l e a d e r o f t h i s that, I would say I had a very both ends of the floor without the fifth-year senior at the t e a m , ” W i l l i a m s o n s a i d . successful year hands down. helm. The Irish dropped con- “ S h e ’s t h e h e a r t a n d s o u l . Actually that’s all the girls. secutive road games to No. 18 When she’s on the court you Everybody wants to go to San S t . J o h n ’s a n d N o . 1 3 can tell that everything else Antonio.” SARAH O’CONNOR/The Observer G e o r g e t o w n , a v e r a g i n g 1 0 has calmed down. When she’s Senior guard Ashley Barlow dribbles the ball during Notre points fewer on offense while playing you can tell that we Contact Chris Masoud at Dame’s 90-66 victory over DePaul on Feb. 14. giving up 14 more points than play so much better because cmasoud@nd.edu
By CHRIS MASOUD
Friday, March 19, 2010
The Observer ◆ IRISH
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JACLYN ESPINOZA | Observer Graphic
Predicting the NCAA run Laura Myers
Chris Masoud
Jared Jedick
Prediction: Notre Dame loses to Stanford in semifinals
Prediction: Notre Dame loses to Stanford in semifinals
Prediction: Notre Dame loses to Connecticut in championship game
When asked if she could have drawn a better bracket for her team, Irish coach Muffet McGraw said: “I would’ve put us in a bracket with all 15- and 16seeds.” That means no. While the team will not look past its opening-round opponents, the two home games should be a breeze. This year’s Irish have two things they didn’t have when they were shocked in the 2009 first round: an increased focus drawn from that early exit, and Skylar Diggins. Combine those with a bracket whose other top teams are No.3-seed Oklahoma, which the Irish have beat, and No. 1-seed Nebraska, the best possible draw for the Irish, and the road to San Antonio looks pretty clear.
Notre Dame’s fast-paced offense and aggressive style on defense will be too much to handle for its early-round opponents. Beginning with the statement win over Cleveland State, the Irish break in Purcell Pavilion’s postseason debut in style. Freshman phenom Skylar Diggins will give the home fans what they want to see, as she should have no trouble tearing up opposing defenses. Don’t be surprised if she averages over 20 points a game. The highlight of the NCAA tournament comes in the Sweet 16, when the Irish beat Nebraska in a matchup of the top two seeds in the region. Nothing the Cornhuskers have seen in the Big 12 will prepare them for McGraw’s four-guard offense. The Irish run ends in the Final Four. Notre Dame lacks depth in the post. An almost certain meeting with Stanford should exploit that weakness.
Notre Dame’s depth will help them easily roll past their early opponents, Cleveland State and likely Wisconsin, but once they meet a team that can match their bench, things will get a lot more difficult. It all comes down to how well freshman Sklylar Diggins can play in her first ever NCAA tournament. If she turns it on and consistently produces 20 points a game the Irish could challenge to reach the championship game, where juggernaut Connecticut will await for a fourth time. If she cannot, it will be an early exit for Notre Dame. I see a Skylar Diggins ready to take that next step and begin to build her legend. Expect Notre Dame to gain early momentum at home and carry that all the way to the championship game, topping Big 12 sweetheart Nebraska and powerful Stanford along the way. The championship game is another story.