Sept. 18, 2001
By NANCY ARMOUR
AP Sports Writer
CHICAGO – The Notre Dame-DePaul rivalry is back on.
The schools will play each other in basketball for the first time since the 1994-95 season Dec. 1 at the United Center. The game is part of the Classic 4 Kids, a doubleheader also featuring Texas against Stanford.
“It definitely, not to be corny with our fight song, but it wakes up some echoes,” Irish coach Mike Brey said Monday. “I know how important it is after hearing our people talk. `I remember this game,’ and `I remember that game.’ I’ve gotten a history of it.”
Though this is the only meeting scheduled right now, Brey said he and DePaul coach Pat Kennedy have talked about making it an annual rivalry again. Kennedy was unavailable for comment Monday.
“There’s nothing past this year, but I think it’s something we would entertain,” Brey said.
The Irish and Blue Demons have met 88 times, dating to the 1911-12 season. Only Marquette (93 games) has appeared on DePaul’s schedule more, and the Golden Eagles are now a Conference USA foe.
The Notre Dame-DePaul rivalry has featured some of the biggest names in college basketball history – Ray Meyer, George Mikan, Austin Carr, Adrian Dantley, Mark Aguirre – and some storied games.
Like the 1978 Midwest Regional final, where the Irish upset No. 3 DePaul 84-64 in Lawrence, Kan., to advance to their first Final Four. Or the Feb. 27, 1980, game, when No. 1 DePaul brought a 25-0 record to South Bend. Kelly Tripucka scored 28 points, and Orlando Woolridge made two free throws with 19 seconds left to give the Irish a 76-74 victory in double overtime.
“I think the important part of the rivalry is for us to be good again. We have momentum again after last year,” Brey said. “We’re kind of back on the path, so I think it’s a good time to play.”
The United Center is a good spot to resume the rivalry, too, Brey said. Chicago has a large Notre Dame alumni contingent, and Brey wants the Irish back in the city’s recruiting mix.
“It’s important for us to get into Chicago if not every year than every other year,” Brey said. “I think that’s a natural place to renew the rivalry and start it off. … It’ll be a fun day.”
DePaul also will play in the Preseason NIT, opening against Fordham on Nov. 12. The Blue Demons’ non-conference schedule includes games at Temple and against Missouri at the United Center.
DePaul will play a third game at the United Center, a conference game against Cincinnati on Feb. 19. Its other home games will be at Allstate Arena.