Notre Dame Faces Tough BIG EAST Test Against Hokies

Jan. 9, 2004

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NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH (7-6, 0-1) VS.
(#16 AP/#15 ESPN/USA TODAY) VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES (12-1, 1-1)

The Date and Time: Saturday, Jan. 10, 2004, at Noon ET.
The Site: Joyce Center (11,418) in Notre Dame, Ind.
The Tickets: Still available by calling the Notre Dame Athletics Ticket Office (574-631-7356).
The TV Plans: BIG EAST TV broadcast with Beth Mowins (play-by-play), Margo Plotzke (analysis), Steve Turnberger (producer) and Tom Clark (director). The game will air live on Madison Square Garden (MSG) Network and will be shown on a tape-delayed basis by WHME-TV (Channel 46 in South Bend) Saturday at 7 p.m. (ET).
The Radio Plans: All Notre Dame games are broadcast live on WDND-AM (ESPN Radio 1620) and/or WNDV-AM (1490) in South Bend with Sean Stires (play-by-play) and Shawn Lewallen (analysis). These broadcasts also are available through the Notre Dame athletics web site at www.und.com.
Real-Time Statistics: Live in-game statistics are available for the Virginia Tech game through the Notre Dame (www.und.com) athletics web site.
Web Sites: Notre Dame (www.und.com), Virginia Tech (www.hokiesports.com).

IRISH RETURN HOME TO TAKE ON NO. 16/15 VIRGINIA TECH SATURDAY
Notre Dame will tip off the home portion of its BIG EAST Conference schedule Saturday when it welcomes No. 16/15 Virginia Tech to the Joyce Center for a noon (ET) contest. The game will be broadcast live as part of the BIG EAST television package.

• The Irish (7-6, 0-1 BIG EAST) will be out to snap a two-game losing streak following a tough 76-73 loss at Georgetown in their conference opener Wednesday night. Notre Dame held a six-point lead and was at the foul line with 43 seconds remaining, but the Hoyas went on an 11-2 game-ending run, scoring seven points in the final 14 seconds to steal the win.
• Sophomore guard Megan Duffy continued her rock solid play this year, piling up a game-high 22 points on six of 10 shooting (four of eight on three-pointers). Junior forward Jacqueline Batteast added 18 points and eight rebounds before fouling out late in the second half.
• Virginia Tech (12-1, 1-1) had its 12-game season-opening win streak snapped Wednesday with a 56-43 loss at Rutgers. Dawn Chriss scored 14 points and Erin Gibson chipped in with 11 points and nine rebounds for the Hokies.
• Ieva Kublina is Virginia Tech’s top all-around threat, ranking among the BIG EAST leaders in scoring (13.3 ppg.), rebounding (7.1 bpg.) and blocked shots (2.0 bpg.).
• Notre Dame leads the all-time series with the Hokies, 4-1, including a 2-0 record at home.

A QUICK LOOK AT THE FIGHTING IRISH
Coming into this season, one of the bigger question marks surrounding Notre Dame was its perimeter play. The Irish figured to count on their post offense in the early part of the year while their outside shooting developed to fill in the void left by the graduation of Alicia Ratay. Yet, during the first two months of the season, the Notre Dame backcourt has sparkled with regularity while the Irish post game has had to work out some of the off-season kinks.

• Sophomore Megan Duffy (13.3 ppg., team-high 4.38 apg., .491 3FG%, .848 FT%) is in her first season as the everyday point guard for the Irish and she is proving to be a key cog in the Notre Dame offensive arsenal. After averaging only three points and 2.3 assists per game last year, the Dayton, Ohio, native has more than quadrupled her scoring output and she owns a team-best 1.42 assist/turnover ratio (11th in the BIG EAST). In addition, she is showing offensive diversity, knocking down 28 of 57 three-pointers this season to rank second in the BIG EAST and 11th in the nation. She also has seven double-figure scoring games to her credit this year, including a career-high 25 points vs. Wisconsin on Dec. 4 and 22 points at Georgetown on Wednesday. Her ball handling skills have not diminished, as she also has registered six games with five-or-more assists, including a career-high nine assists on Dec. 7 at Washington.
• Senior captain Le’Tania Severe (8.5 ppg., 3.2 apg., .464 FG%, .786 FT%) has slid over to the shooting guard position in place of Ratay and has filled in admirably thus far. While not putting up the three-point numbers Ratay had in her remarkable career, Severe is getting her points as a slasher, driving to the basket and creating havoc for opposing defenses. She also is third on the Irish with 1.4 steals per game and has been a vital piece of Notre Dame’s transition game. She collected 14 points in the loss to Colorado, earning a spot on the WBCA Classic All-Tournament Team, before adding 13 points at third-ranked Tennessee and Colorado State, and 12 points vs. USC. She then poured in a season-high 15 points to tie for team-high honors at Purdue.
• Senior guard Jeneka Joyce (5.0 ppg., .459 3FG%) also has been a pleasant surprise this season. After missing more than 20 months with recurring leg injuries, Joyce returned to action Nov. 21 vs. Valparaiso and promptly drained all three of her three-point attempts. She then knocked down three more treys to begin the Michigan State game and now ranks fifth on the school’s career charts in three-point percentage (.389).
• Junior forward and preseason All-American Jacqueline Batteast (15.1 ppg., 7.7 rpg., three double-doubles) has lived up to her accolades this season, ranking among the BIG EAST leaders in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots. She was named to the WBCA Classic All-Tournament Team on Nov. 15 after a superb weekend that included a career-high 27 points against 22nd-ranked Auburn. She then piled up back-to-back double-doubles vs. No. 20 Colorado (13p, 10r) and Valparaiso (15p, 10r) before logging team bests of 16 points and seven caroms at No. 3 Tennessee, 19 points at Washington and a game-high 13 points with six assists vs. Dayton. She then chalked up her third double-double vs. USC (20p, 13r) to earn the first BIG EAST Player of the Week honor of her career. She now has 57 career double-figure scoring games and 22 career double-doubles. In addition, she needs only one point to become the 20th Notre Dame player to score 1,000 career points and she is poised to be the fourth-fastest Irish player ever to reach that milestone, having played in just 71 games to date.
• Junior center Teresa Borton (7.1 ppg., 4.8 rpg., .552 FG%, .857 FT%) and sophomore forward Courtney LaVere (8.5 ppg., 5.5 rpg.) also have made important contributions at times this season. Borton has recovered well from off-season heel surgery, averaging 10.7 ppg. and 6.3 rpg. with a .650 FG% during Notre Dame’s last six games. She was at her best last week vs. Colorado State and Marquette, ringing up 14 points on both occasions. Borton then added 11 points and eight rebounds in Wednesday’s BIG EAST opener at Georgetown. Meanwhile, LaVere, a freshman All-American last year, has had an up-and-down second season. She tied Batteast for team-high scoring honors with 12 points at Michigan State before rising up and carding season highs of 22 points and nine rebounds vs. Wisconsin. It took nearly a month, but she once again cracked double figures on New Year’s Day against Marquette, tossing in 16 points on six of 11 shooting. She also logged her 500th career point in the win over the Golden Eagles.

A QUICK LOOK AT VIRGINIA TECH
Entering its final season in the BIG EAST Conference, Virginia Tech is set on leaving its present home on a high note. The Hokies have nine letterwinners and three starters back from last year’s squad, which posted a 22-10 record and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Those returning veterans, along with a crop of talented newcomers, are prepared to give Virginia Tech a proper sendoff as it heads to the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2004-05.

The Hokies (12-1, 1-1) have begun their last BIG EAST season in strong fashion, reeling off 12 consecutive wins to open the year, the second-longest season-opening streak in school history. Virginia Tech also rose to No. 16 in the Associated Press poll and 15th in the ESPN/USA Today coaches’ poll, thanks to its hot start. However, the Hokies were cooled off slightly on Wednesday night at Rutgers, falling to the Scarlet Knights, 56-43. Dawn Chriss scored 14 points and Erin Gibson added 11 points and nine rebounds for Virginia Tech.

Life for the Hokies begins with their all-BIG EAST forward Ieva Kublina. The Latvia native has been a major contributor for Virginia Tech over the past four seasons and this year is no exception. Kublina ranks 18th in the BIG EAST in scoring (13.3 ppg.), ninth in rebounding (7.1 rpg.) and second in blocked shots (2.0 bpg.). She is not alone in pacing the Hokies, though < chriss=”” ranks=”” second=”” on=”” the=”” team=”” in=”” scoring=”” (11.8=”” ppg.)=”” and=”” field=”” goal=”” percentage=”” (.490),=”” while=”” gibson=”” leads=”” the=”” team=”” and=”” ranks=”” third=”” in=”” the=”” big=”” east=”” in=”” rebounding=”” (8.6=”” rpg.),=”” owning=”” the=”” team’s=”” best=”” field=”” goal=”” percentage=”” (.495)=”” to=”” boot.=”” guard=”” carrie=”” mason=”” rounds=”” out=”” a=”” quartet=”” of=”” double-figure=”” scorers=”” for=”” the=”” hokies,=”” averaging=”” 11.0=”” ppg.=””>

Virginia Tech head coach Bonnie Henrickson is in the midst of her seventh season in Blacksburg, owning a 147-55 (.728) record with the Hokies. She is 1-4 all-time against Notre Dame.

THE NOTRE DAME-VIRGINIA TECH SERIES
Notre Dame and Virginia Tech have met just five times in their history, all since the Hokies joined the BIG EAST Conference in time for the 2000-01 season. The Irish hold a 4-1 edge in the all-time series with Virginia Tech, including a 2-0 mark at the Joyce Center.

The two teams tangled for the first time during the ’00-01 season, with Notre Dame picking up a 75-64 win in Blacksburg. That was the first of what would be three meetings between the clubs that season. The Irish won all three matchups, the last being a 67-49 triumph in the semifinals of the BIG EAST Championship in Storrs, Conn.

Notre Dame and Virginia Tech have played once in each of the past two seasons and Saturday’s matchup is their only regular-season encounter this year. Barring another contest at the conference tournament, this will be the final time the Irish and Hokies face off as members of the BIG EAST. Virginia Tech is slated to join the Atlantic Coast Conference next season.

Among current Notre Dame players, junior forward Jacqueline Batteast has had the most success against the Hokies, averaging 19.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in two career games vs. Virginia Tech. A complete rundown of the statistics current Irish players have compiled against the Hokies can be found on page 17 of this notes package.

THE LAST TIME NOTRE DAME AND VIRGINIA TECH MET
Virginia Tech guard Carrie Mason converted an old-fashioned three-point play with 13.1 seconds remaining to lift the Hokies to a 53-50 BIG EAST Conference victory over Notre Dame on Feb. 9, 2003, at Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, Va. It was Virginia Tech’s first win in five series meetings with the Irish.

Mason’s shot was the final act in a thrilling two-hour drama that featured 14 ties, 12 lead changes, and saw neither side lead by more than four points the entire game. Notre Dame had a chance to send the game to overtime, but forward Jacqueline Batteast had her three-point attempt from the left wing rattle out with one second to play.

Batteast led the Irish in scoring with 13 points and set a new career high with five blocked shots. Forward Katy Flecky chipped in with 11 points off the bench, marking her second consecutive double-figure scoring game. Ieva Kublina scored a game-high 21 points, including 11-of-11 free throws, to lead three players in double digits for Virginia Tech. Kublina also tied a Notre Dame opponent record with seven blocked shots, matching the mark set three times previously (most recently by Pittsburgh’s Nickeia Morris on Feb. 15, 1998).

The 2003 game was decided at the free throw line. The Irish came into the contest as the second-best free throw shooting team in the BIG EAST at 74.5 percent, but they struggled at the stripe all afternoon, making only 15 of 23 charity tosses (65.2 percent). Conversely, the Hokies were extremely solid from the line, hitting a Notre Dame opponent season-best 91.7 percent of their free throws (22 of 24).

Virginia Tech’s aptitude at the foul line made up for its problems from the floor. For the second consecutive game, Notre Dame held an opponent below 30 percent shooting from the field, limiting the Hokies to a .286 ratio (14-49) on Sunday. The Irish also controlled the glass by a 34-31 count, but they also turned the ball over 21 times, compared to 16 giveaways for Virginia Tech.

Notre Dame (13-8, 5-5) had three four-point leads in the first half, while the Hokies had one. The Irish opened up a 23-19 edge with 2:07 remaining in the period on a layup by forward Courtney LaVere . However, the hosts rallied to tie the game on four Kublina free throws before Flecky banged in a three-pointer from the right wing with 32 seconds left in the period, giving Notre Dame a 26-23 lead at the break. The Irish held Virginia Tech to just one field goal over the final 12:33 of the first half, but the Hokies made 11 of 12 free throws in that span to remain within striking distance.

Notre Dame opened up three more four-point leads in the second half, the last coming at 44-40 on a layup by junior guard Le’Tania Severe with six minutes to play. A three-point play by Kublina briefly gave Virginia Tech the lead, but Batteast made two free throws and later added a layup, giving the Irish a 48-46 advantage at the four-minute mark. However, Kerri Gardin tied the game for the Hokies on a jumper 29 seconds later, setting the stage for a frantic final minute.

Kublina banked in a short runner in the lane with 51 seconds left, putting Virginia Tech back in front, 50-48. After turning the ball over on its previous three possessions, Notre Dame got the ball in the hands of guard Alicia Ratay, and the Irish captain worked her way to the free throw line, courtesy of a Gardin foul with 34 seconds to go. Ratay, who graduated as the sixth-best free throw shooter in NCAA history, calmly stepped up and swished both charities to knot the score for the 14th and final time. On the ensuing possession, the Hokies worked the ball around to Mason on the right wing, who pump-faked Batteast into the air, then hit a 15-foot jumper as Batteast fouled her while trying to recover. Mason canned the bonus free throw, and the Hokies had the victory.

THE LAST TIME NOTRE DAME AND VIRGINIA TECH MET AT THE JOYCE CENTER
As will be the case on Saturday, Notre Dame played host to 16th-ranked Virginia Tech on Jan. 26, 2002 at the Joyce Center, with the Irish walking away a 64-57 victor over the Hokies. Forward Jacqueline Batteast scored 26 points and guard Alicia Ratay added 22 as they scored all but two of Notre Dame’s second-half points. With the victory, the Irish extended their home win streak to 47 games before 8,878 fans, which was the fourth-largest crowd in school history at the time.

The Irish, who had a 37-33 rebounding edge, won despite being outshot 40.4 percent to 39.6 percent. Notre Dame countered their shooting struggles by turning the ball over only seven times, setting a new school record for ball protection.

The Irish never trailed, taking an 8-2 lead to start the game by hitting four of eight shots while the Hokies misfired on eight of their nine shots. When guard Kelsey Wicks hit back-to-back three-pointers 33 seconds apart, Notre Dame went ahead 21-11, with Batteast accounting for 13 of those points. But the Hokies, behind five points by Lisa Guarneri, used a 9-2 run to cut the lead to 23-20.

However, the Irish regained a degree of momentum heading into the locker room when Ratay banked in a shot from beyond the midcourt stripe at the halftime horn to give the hosts a 30-24 lead.

Virginia Tech closed to 30-29 early in the second half on a three-pointer by Ieva Kublina, who led the Hokies with 20 points. But, Notre Dame answered with a basket inside by Batteast and a rare four-point play by Ratay, her second quadruple of the season. Virginia Tech then cut the Notre Dame lead to 40-37 on a 16-foot jumper by Kublina with 12:48 left. However, the Irish then went on a 10-0 run, capped by a three-point play by Batteast, and the Hokies never got closer than six points again.

OTHER NOTRE DAME-VIRGINIA TECH SERIES TIDBITS

• Virginia Tech head coach Bonnie Henrickson has a tie to a landmark win in Notre Dame women’s basketball history. The Irish earned their first-ever victory over a Top 10 opponent on Nov. 17, 1996, when they downed No. 6 Iowa, 61-50, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City in the second round of the preseason WNIT. Henrickson was an assistant coach at Iowa at the time.
• In the 26-year history of Notre Dame women’s basketball, the Irish have had just one player hail from the state of Virginia. Guard Cynthia Battel played one season (1978-79) for Notre Dame after graduating from James Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax, Va.

GETTING OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT AT HOME
Notre Dame is 5-3 (.625) in BIG EAST Conference home openers since it joined the league in time for the 1995-96 season. The Irish also have won three of their last four BIG EAST lidlifters at the Joyce Center after dropping an 80-70 decision to Miami in last year’s conference home opener.

THE BEASTS OF THE BIG EAST
Notre Dame is 112-25 (.818) in regular-season competition against the rest of BIG EAST Conference, owning the best conference winning percentage of any current member of the BIG EAST since joining the circuit for the 1995-96 campaign. The Irish also have won 68 of their last 83 regular-season conference games (.819), and claimed a share of their first-ever BIG EAST regular-season championship in 2001. When including postseason competition (BIG EAST and NCAA tournaments), Notre Dame is 124-33 (.790) against league opponents < when=”” factoring=”” in=”” these=”” 20=”” postseason=”” tilts,=”” the=”” irish=”” are=”” 61-7=”” (.897)=”” at=”” home,=”” 51-21=”” (.708)=”” on=”” the=”” road=”” and=”” 12-5=”” (.706)=”” at=”” neutral=”” sites=”” all-time=”” against=”” big=”” east=”” foes.=””>

ON THIS DATE
The Irish have played seven times on Jan. 10 in their 27-year history, logging a 4-3 record on this date, including a 2-2 mark at home and a 3-1 mark in the Muffet McGraw era. Notre Dame has won its last three games on Jan. 10, including a 79-56 victory over Providence in 1999 at the Joyce Center.

IF NOTRE DAME WINS …

• Notre Dame will win its BIG EAST Conference home opener for the fourth time in the last five seasons and improve to 6-3 all-time in conference home lidlifters.
• The Irish will move to 5-1 all-time against Virginia Tech, including a 3-0 mark at the Joyce Center.
• Notre Dame will pick up its second victory over a ranked opponent this season. The Irish downed (then) No. 22 Auburn, 77-64 on Nov. 14 at the WBCA Classic in Boulder, Colo.
• The Irish will improve to 113-25 (.819) all-time in regular-season games against the BIG EAST Conference, maintaining the best winning percentage in conference history.
• Notre Dame will extend its home winning streak to 11 games and rise to 62-7 (.899) all-time against BIG EAST opponents at the Joyce Center.
• Head coach Muffet McGraw will see her record at Notre Dame rise to 371-144 (.720) in 17 seasons under the Golden Dome. She also will watch her career ledger improve to 459-185 (.713) in 22 years at the college level.
• The Irish will raise their all-time record to 535-243 (.688) in 27 seasons of varsity competition.

RECAPPING THE GEORGETOWN GAME
The Notre Dame women’s basketball team endured perhaps its most difficult loss in several years, falling at Georgetown, 76-73, in its BIG EAST Conference opener on Wednesday night at McDonough Arena in Washington. The Irish led by six points with 55 seconds left, but watched the Hoyas go on an 11-2 game-ending run and score the final seven points of the game to earn their first win over Notre Dame since 1988.

Georgetown’s Bethany LeSueur provided the crushing blow, converting an old-fashioned three-point play with 12.1 seconds to go, giving her team the lead for good. It was the final chapter in a nail-biting contest that saw 14 ties and 14 lead changes. In addition, neither team led by more than six points the entire game.

Sophomore guard Megan Duffy led all scorers with 22 points for Notre Dame, connecting on six of 10 shots from the floor, including four of eight three-point attempts. It was the eighth double-figure scoring game of the season for Duffy, and her second 20-point game this year. Junior forward Jacqueline Batteast chipped in with 18 points and eight rebounds, but fouled out with 2:56 to play, leaving her one point shy of becoming the 20th 1,000-point scorer in school history.

Junior center Teresa Borton contributed 11 points and eight rebounds, while senior guard Le’Tania Severe grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds and added a season-best six assists. The Irish won the rebounding battle, 45-39, and shot 46.4 percent from the floor (26 of 56), but they were undone by their turnovers. Notre Dame gave up the ball 24 times, with Georgetown converting those giveaways into 25 points.

The first half was a case of point-counterpoint, as the team constantly jockeyed for the lead. Duffy’s second three-pointer of the game gave the Irish an 11-8 lead, but the Hoyas came right back with an 8-0 run, highlighted by a pair of layups from Carmen Bruce. After a Notre Dame timeout, the Irish responded with six straight points to retake the lead, but that lasted only briefly. Georgetown (7-5, 1-1 BIG EAST) regained a 22-19 lead on Lisicky’s four-point play with 8:48 left in the first half, but Notre Dame then scored five in a row to take a two-point lead one minute later.

From that point on, the two sides traded the lead four times and were tied on four other occasions. A free throw by Brunson and a jumper by LeSueur helped Georgetown eventually take a 33-32 halftime lead, marking the third consecutive time in the series that the Hoyas have led at the intermission.

Batteast helped put Notre Dame back on top early in the second half, scoring six of her team’s first eight points to help build a 41-37 lead. Georgetown answered with a 7-2 run and went in front, 44-43 on a Brunson free throw with 14:57 left. The Irish then scored 11 of the next 16 points and built their biggest lead to that stage at 54-49 when Duffy drained her fourth trey of the night just past the midway point of the second half.

Kate Carlin knocked down a triple of her own on Georgetown’s next possession, but the Hoyas would then score just one basket over the following four minutes . Still, Notre Dame could not put their hosts away and when Brunson converted two more free throws, the score was tied for the 13th time at 58-58 with 4:52 remaining. A three-point play by Batteast and a three-pointer by senior guard Jeneka Joyce gave the Irish a 64-60 edge less than a minute later, but the Hoyas rallied again with a Lisicky jumper and a Brunson foul shot pulling them within one.

Notre Dame then appeared to put the game on ice with a 7-2 run, taking a 71-65 lead on two free throws by Severe with 55 seconds to go. In fact, Severe had a chance to pad the Irish advantage with 43 ticks left, but the 80-percent foul shooter missed both of her charities, opening the door for the Hoyas’ comeback. LeSueur converted a layup on the next GU possession and fueled by a full court press, Lisicky came up with a steal and layup to pull the Hoyas as close as 71-69 at the 32-second mark.

Duffy then was fouled by Carlin five seconds later and buried both of her charities, but there were cancelled out when Sarah Jenkins hit a short jumper with 14 seconds left. That set the stage for LeSueur’s heroics, as she subsequently stole the next inbounds pass and canned a runner in the lane while being fouled by Severe. Following an Irish timeout, LeSueur completed her three-point play to put Georgetown in front. Severe raced down court and crossed into the lane, but her finger roll hit the back iron and front rim before coming off. Bruce collected the board and was fouled, nailing two free throws with 2.2 seconds left. Notre Dame had one last chance, but its long entry pass was picked off as time expired.

BATTEAST CLOSING IN ON 1,000-POINT CLUB
Junior forward Jacqueline Batteast needs only one point to become the 20th player in school history to score 1,000 career points. Should she collect that point Saturday vs. Virginia Tech, she would be the fourth-fastest Irish player ever to reach that milestone, doing so in her 72nd career game. Here’s a look at the five Notre Dame players who scored 1,000 points the quickest:

Batteast also is one of only five Irish players to score 800 points in her first two seasons at Notre Dame, joining Morgan, Matvey, Riley and Ratay. For her career, the South Bend native ranks sixth in school history with a 14.1 ppg. scoring average (999 points in 71 games).

NO CUPCAKES FOR THE IRISH
Notre Dame fought through a brutal non-conference schedule that included playing six games away from home, all against teams that were either ranked or receiving votes in both major national polls. Notre Dame defeated No. 22 Auburn (77-64), lost a narrow overtime decision at No. 20 Colorado (67-63) after leading much of the way in that game, before falling at Michigan State (92-63), third-ranked Tennessee (83-59), Washington (85-74) and No. 7 Purdue (76-63). Both MSU and UW were receiving votes at tipoff, with Michigan State since moving into the Top 25 polls, checking in 23rd in both the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today coaches’ rankings.

The tough Irish schedule has not gone unnoticed by the national media. Both the latest CollegeRPI.com rankings and the Sagarin/Collegiate Basketball News ratings have pegged the Notre Dame docket as the sixth-toughest in the nation (through Jan. 8).

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Notre Dame put together one of the best defensive performances in school history on Dec. 13 vs. Dayton, rolling over the Flyers, 78-41 at the Joyce Center. In that game, the Irish held UD to just 11 first-half points, which matches the third-lowest mark in school history and equals the lowest opponent total ever at the Joyce Center (11 in the second half by Grace College on Jan. 31, 1978 < pre-ncaa=”” era).=”” the=”” fewest=”” points=”” notre=”” dame=”” has=”” ever=”” allowed=”” in=”” one=”” half=”” is=”” seven=”” (first=”” half)=”” at=”” maryland=”” on=”” jan.=”” 9,=”” 1985.=”” the=”” irish=”” also=”” gave=”” up=”” just=”” 10=”” first-half=”” points=”” to=”” georgetown=”” on=”” march=”” 4,=”” 2001,=”” in=”” a=”” big=”” east=”” conference=”” championship=”” quarterfinal=”” game=”” at=”” storrs,=”” conn.=””>

In addition, Notre Dame limited Dayton to an opponent record-low .050 field goal percentage (one for 20) in the first half, breaking the old Irish opponent record of .115 (three for 26), which had been set twice < in=”” the=”” first=”” half=”” of=”” the=”” aforementioned=”” maryland=”” game,=”” and=”” by=”” depaul=”” in=”” the=”” first=”” half=”” on=”” dec.=”” 31,=”” 2001=”” at=”” the=”” joyce=”” center.=””>

RUNAWAY TRAIN
The Irish have often opened games in strong fashion, but nothing like what they turned out on Dec. 13 vs. Dayton. Notre Dame began the game on a 26-0 run, the largest game-opening surge in 27 seasons of Irish basketball. The previous record for the best start to a game was 17-0 vs. Texas Tech in the 2000 NCAA Mideast Regional Semifinal in Memphis.

The 26 unanswered points also tied for the second-longest run of consecutive markers by Notre Dame. The school record is 31 straight points, which the Irish achieved on Jan. 18, 1997 vs. Pittsburgh < notre=”” dame=”” trailed=”” 14-2,=”” but=”” went=”” on=”” a=”” 31-0=”” run=”” over=”” the=”” next=”” 13:14=”” to=”” seize=”” control=”” of=”” the=”” game.=”” the=”” irish=”” also=”” had=”” a=”” 26-point=”” spree=”” on=”” jan.=”” 31,=”” 1998=”” against=”” seton=”” hall,=”” turning=”” a=”” 56-29=”” score=”” into=”” an=”” 82-29=”” margin=”” over=”” a=”” 9:44=”” span=”” in=”” the=”” second=”” half.=””>

BIG THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES
Based on her play this season, sophomore point guard Megan Duffy is making a strong case to be named the BIG EAST Conference Most Improved Player. Last season, the Dayton native averaged 3.0 points and 2.3 assists per game while still shaking off the rust caused by off-season knee surgery. She also struggled to find her shooting touch, hitting at a .242 clip from the floor and making only seven of 35 three-point attempts (.200).

Fast forward to this season, where Duffy has been an impact player from the outset. She is second on the team (and 18th in the BIG EAST) in scoring at 13.3 ppg., which more than quadruples her production from last year. However, her biggest improvement has come in her shooting numbers, where she’s connecting at a sharp .491 percentage (28-57) from the three-point line, good for second in the BIG EAST and 11th in the nation. She’s also quadrupled the number of treys she made all of last year and after cracking double digits just twice in 2002-03 (career high was 12 points), she has eight double-figure games this season, with all eight matching or surpassing her previous career best and two topping the 20-point mark. Her best outing to date was a 25-point outburst on Dec. 4 vs. Wisconsin, where she shattered her career standard from beyond the arc, going six for 10 from downtown.

But lest we forget her primary duties at the point, Duffy is leading the Irish and ranks eighth in the BIG EAST with 4.38 assists per game, more than doubling last year’s output. She also has just 40 turnovers, giving her a healthy 1.42 assist/turnover ratio (11th in the BIG EAST). She has dished out at least five assists six times this year, including a career-high nine dimes on Dec. 7 at Washington.

DISTANCE LEARNING
One of the supposed question marks surrounding this year’s Notre Dame squad was its perimeter shooting. Through the first two months of the season, the Irish have had an emphatic response to that question. Notre Dame is fourth in the BIG EAST with a .383 three-point percentage, hitting 59 of 154 shots from beyond the arc. Sophomore guard Megan Duffy has been a major contributor from beyond the arc, connecting at a .491 clip (28-57), which is second in the BIG EAST and 11th in the nation. She also stands 11th in the BIG EAST with 2.15 triples made per game.

Another long distance specialist for Notre Dame has been senior guard Jeneka Joyce, which is a pleasant surprise when you consider the Topeka, Kan., native has spent the better part of the past two seasons trying to recover from numerous leg injuries. Joyce has knocked down 17 of 37 treys for a .459 three-point percentage, but she also has not yet made enough field goals to qualify for statistical rankings (minimum of 2.0 per game). Still, she is tied for 15th in the BIG EAST with 1.55 three-pointers per game.

A TIME TO RE-JOYCE
Despite not having seen any meaningful action since March 17, 2002 at Tennessee in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, senior guard Jeneka Joyce has looked very comfortable in her return this season. The Topeka, Kan., native missed Notre Dame’s two games at the WBCA Classic, but came back to the hardwood Nov. 21 vs. Valparaiso and promptly canned all three of her three-point attempts (including the last from nearly 25 feet out), finishing with nine points. Five nights later on Nov. 26 at Michigan State, Joyce nailed her first three three-point shots before missing her last two and again wound up with nine points. She is 17 of 37 from beyond the arc this season, good for a .459 percentage, while averaging 5.0 points per game.

For her career, Joyce is tied for fifth in school history with a .389 three-point percentage and she also ranks ninth with 65 career treys and 167 career three-point attempts.

HARDWARE HAUL
Although they didn’t come away with the trophy they wanted at the WBCA Classic, junior forward Jacqueline Batteast and senior guard Le’Tania Severe did receive individual honors as members of the WBCA Classic All-Tournament Team. Batteast averaged 20 points and 7.5 rebounds in the two-game tournament, while shooting .529 from the field. Severe carded 11.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game in the tournament and posted a stellar .857 free throw percentage (12 of 14). It was the first career all-tournament team selection for both players.

IRISH APPEARING IN BOTH MAJOR NATIONAL POLLS
Notre Dame is receiving three votes in the latest Associated Press poll after spending the first three weeks of this season in the AP Top 25 poll. The Irish were ranked 15th in the preseason AP poll, marking the seventh time in the last eight seasons that the Irish were tapped in the initial AP survey of the year.

Notre Dame also is earning one vote in the most recent ESPN/USA Today coaches poll after appearing in the Top 25 for the first three weeks of 2003-04. The Irish were pegged No. 16 in the preseason coaches poll, also the seventh time in eight years that they had shown up in the first ESPN/USA Today poll of the year.

Notre Dame has faced or will face no less than eight teams that are currently ranked in both major polls (No. 4/4 Connecticut, No. 5/5 Tennessee, No. 10/11 Purdue, No. 14/14 Colorado, No. 16/15 Virginia Tech, No. 20/18 Boston College, No. 23/23 Michigan State and No. 25/25 Miami). In addition, Auburn is ranked 21st in the latest AP poll. Three Notre Dame opponents also presently are receiving votes in one or both major polls this week < rutgers,=”” villanova=”” and=”” washington.=””>

HALF AND HALF
Over the last four seasons, Notre Dame has been nearly unbeatable when it has the lead at halftime. The Irish are 67-5 (.931) since the start of the 2000-01 campaign when they go into the dressing room with the lead, including a 5-1 mark this year. One of those rare losses occurred vs. Colorado in the WBCA Classic on Nov. 15. Notre Dame led 37-33 at the intermission before the Buffaloes rallied for a 67-63 overtime win.

THE BEST OFFENSE IS A GOOD DEFENSE …
Over the last nine seasons, Notre Dame has discovered that a solid defensive effort can almost certainly guarantee a victory. In fact, since the beginning of the 1995-96 season (Notre Dame’s first in the BIG EAST Conference), the Irish have an amazing 117-4 (.967) record when they hold their opponents to less than 60 points in a game. Notre Dame has added three more wins to that ledger this season by holding down Valparaiso (74-57), Dayton (78-41) and Colorado State (63-59).

… BUT SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO SCORE IF YOU WANT TO WIN
Not resting solely on its defensive laurels, Notre Dame also seemingly has found the magic mark when it comes to outscoring its opponents. Over the last nine seasons (1995-96 to present), the Irish are 86-3 (.966) when they score at least 80 points in a game. The only blemishes on that record are a pair of overtime losses to Texas A&M (88-84) and Michigan State (87-83) in 1995 and a 106-81 loss to Connecticut in 1998. Notre Dame tacked on another win to this tally on Dec. 4 with its 82-64 win over Wisconsin.

SWEET SUCCESS
Notre Dame is one of only eight schools in the country to have appeared in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen five times in the past seven seasons (1997-2003). The others are Connecticut (seven times), Tennessee (seven times), Duke (six times), Louisiana Tech (six times), North Carolina (five times), Old Dominion (five times) and Texas Tech (five times).

THE GOLD STANDARD
The Irish are one of just six teams nationwide to have an active streak of 10 consecutive 20-win seasons. The others in these elite club are Tennessee (27), Texas Tech (14), Louisiana Tech (12), Old Dominion (12) and Connecticut (10).

CHECK OUT THE THREADS
For the first time since the 1998-99 season, the Irish are wearing white uniforms at home this season, eschewing the golden togs they sported for the past four seasons. Notre Dame has worn white uniforms on numerous occasions on the past, dating as far back as the school’s first varsity women’s basketball squad, which took the floor in 1977-78. Blue continues to be the primary color for the Irish road uniforms.

NOW THAT’S A HOME COURT ADVANTAGE
One of the hallmarks of Notre Dame’s success has been its stellar play at home. In fact, the Irish have been virtually untouchable at home in recent years, winning 103 of their last 112 games (.920) at the 11,418-seat Joyce Center, including a school-record 51-game winning streak from 1998-2002 (at the time, it was the 10th-longest string in NCAA history). Notre Dame also has a 61-7 (.897) record in BIG EAST Conference play at the Joyce Center, sporting a 31-game winning streak at home before it was snapped with a 48-45 loss to Villanova in the 2002 home finale.

The Irish have been particularly strong when it comes to non-conference games at home, winning 45 of their last 47 non-BIG EAST contests (.957) at the Joyce Center, dating back to the 1994-95 season. The only two losses in that span came to Wisconsin in 1996 (81-69) and Purdue in 2003 (71-54). The Purdue loss snapped a 33-game non-conference home winning streak which began after the UW setback.

Since its inaugural season in 1977-78, Notre Dame has played all of its games at the Joyce Center, posting a 253-70 (.783) record at the venerable facility. In both the 1999-2000 and 2000-01 seasons, the Irish were a perfect 15-0 at home, setting a school record for home wins in a season.

JAMMIN’ THE JOYCE
Beginning with its national championship season of 2000-01, Notre Dame has ranked in the Top 10 in the nation in attendance each of the past three years. The Irish are looking to extend that streak to a fourth straight season and have gotten off to a good start, averaging 6,138 fans for their five home games, including a season-high 6,571 fans on Dec. 22 vs. USC. According to the latest unofficial national attendance rankings compiled by the Wisconsin Sports Information Office (as of Jan. 5), Notre Dame ranks 10th in the country in attendance.

The Irish averaged 7,132 fans for their 13 home games last season, good for their second consecutive eighth-place finish in the final NCAA attendance rankings. Last year also saw Notre Dame register two of the top 10 crowds in school history, including a season-high gathering of 9,483 fans, the fifth-largest in school history for the nationally-televised matchup with Purdue on Jan. 4.

All of the top 20 crowds in the Irish record book have occurred during the 17-year tenure of head coach Muffet McGraw (1987-present). And, as more evidence of Notre Dame’s rapid elevation to ?hot ticket? status in South Bend, 19 of the top 20 crowds in school history have been recorded in the last four seasons.

NOTRE DAME AMONG RECENT WINS LEADERS
Notre Dame has won 188 games over the last eight seasons (23.5 victories per year), which stands as the ninth-most wins of any school in the country during that time.

NOTRE DAME FACING ONE TOUGH SLATE
Historically, Notre Dame has always played a difficult schedule and 2003-04 is more evidence of that fact. The Irish will play no less than 17 teams that qualified for postseason play last year, including 12 NCAA Tournament squads and six that advanced to the Sweet Sixteen (highlighted by two-time defending national champion Connecticut and NCAA runner-up Tennessee). In addition, five opponents (Connecticut, Purdue, Tennessee, Valparaiso and Villanova) won the regular-season or tournament title in their respective conference. Furthermore, 19 of the 26 possible Irish opponents finished with records of .500 or better last season, including 12 squads that posted 20-win campaigns. All told, Notre Dame opponents had a combined winning percentage of .610 last season (490-313).

NOTRE DAME ON THE SMALL SCREEN
Based on its success in recent years, Notre Dame continues to be a favorable television draw and the 2003-04 season will be no exception. The Irish are slated to play on the small screen no less than nine times in the coming campaign, including four appearances on national television.

Notre Dame made its ’03-04 television debut on Dec. 7 at Washington in a matchup that was shown to a national cable audience on Fox Sports Net. The Irish returned to coast-to-coast television on Jan. 4 when they visited Purdue for the inaugural BIG EAST/Big Ten Challenge on ESPN2.

In addition, Notre Dame has been selected to appear on the BIG EAST Conference television package four times this season, including three home games. The Irish will take on Virginia Tech (Saturday), Villanova (Jan. 24) and Boston College (Jan. 31) at home and travel to Rutgers (Feb. 28) for games in front of the BIG EAST TV cameras. Those games may be seen on a regional basis in several major East Coast markets, including New York, Boston, Miami, Philadelphia and Washington, as well as South Bend, where WHME-TV (Channel 46) will show the games on a delayed basis.

It also has been announced that the BIG EAST matchup between Notre Dame and two-time defending national champion Connecticut will be televised jointly by WHME-TV and Connecticut Public Television (CPTV), with College Sports Television (CSTV) also picking up the broadcast and airing it nationally. That game will take place Tuesday at 7 p.m. (ET) from the Joyce Center.

Both Notre Dame-Miami games also will be televised this season. The Jan. 28 matchup in Coral Gables, Fla., has been picked up by the Sunshine Network and will be shown regionally beginning at 7 p.m. (ET). Meanwhile, the Feb. 25 rematch at the Joyce Center will be broadcast live to a nationwide audience on CSTV. That contest will tip off at 8 p.m. (ET) < some=”” early=”” schedules=”” initially=”” had=”” this=”” game=”” listed=”” one=”” hour=”” earlier.=””>

In addition, the semifinals of this year’s BIG EAST Championship presented by State Farm will be broadcast on the BIG EAST television package Monday, March 8 at 6 and 8 p.m. (ET) from the Hartford (Conn.) Civic Center. WHME-TV in South Bend will carry those games live. The championship game will air live on ESPN2 on Tuesday, March 9 at 7 p.m. (ET).

NOTRE DAME TO PLAY HOST TO NCAA TOURNAMENT ACTION IN 2004
After a two-year absence, the Joyce Center once again will be home to NCAA Tournament competition as Notre Dame was selected to be one of 16 sites for first- and second-round games in the 2004 NCAA Tournament. Action at the South Bend subregional will take place Sunday, March 21 and Tuesday, March 23, with exact tipoff times and potential television broadcasts to be determined by the NCAA during the week leading up to the competition.

Should Notre Dame qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the 11th time in school history (and the ninth consecutive season), the Irish are guaranteed to play at home. Notre Dame has played five NCAA tourney games at the Joyce Center in its history, going 4-1 and and advancing to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen in 2000 and 2001 (the Irish went on to win the national championship in the latter season).

Single-session ticket books for NCAA Tournament games at the Joyce Center currently are available to the general public (one ticket for both Sunday games, one ticket for Tuesday’s only game). Single-game tickets will not be made available until after the field of 64 is announced on March 14. For more information on how to purchase tickets for the 2004 NCAA Notre Dame subregional, contact the Irish athletics ticket office at (574) 631-7356 or visit the ticket windows located on the second floor of the Joyce Center at Gate 1.

NOTRE DAME ON THE AIRWAVES
Once again this season, every Irish women’s basketball game (home and away) will air on the flagship stations of the Artistic Media Partners (AMP) Network < wdnd-am=”” (espn=”” radio=”” 1620)=”” and=”” wndv-am=”” (1490)=”” in=”” south=”” bend.=”” veteran=”” broadcaster=”” and=”” amp=”” sports=”” director=”” sean=”” stires=”” is=”” now=”” in=”” his=”” fourth=”” season=”” handling=”” the=”” play-by-play=”” for=”” notre=”” dame.=”” the=”” irish=”” also=”” can=”” be=”” heard=”” on=”” the=”” internet=”” at=”” notre=”” dame’s=”” official=”” athletics=”” website=”” (www.und.com)=”” by=”” subscribing=”” to=”” fighting=”” irish=”” pass,=”” which=”” gives=”” listeners=”” full=”” access=”” to=”” a=”” variety=”” of=”” irish=”” athletics=”” events=”” on=”” radio=”” for=”” only=”” $6.95=”” per=”” month.=””>

THE Muffet McGraw SHOW
Muffet McGraw’s half-hour, weekly television show is produced by LeSea Broadcasting and hosted by Bob Nagle. The show, now in its seventh season, is carried by WHME-TV (Channel 46) in South Bend and airs at 6:30 p.m. (ET) Saturdays through the end of the 2003-04 season. The show also is available via satellite (Galaxy 6, Transponder 15) each Saturday at 10:30 a.m. (ET), and may be seen on LeSea Broadcasting stations in Denver, Honolulu, Indianapolis, New Orleans and Tulsa (check local listings).

BATTEAST NAMED JOHN R. WOODEN WOMEN’S AWARD PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN
Junior forward Jacqueline Batteast (South Bend, Ind.) is one of 30 players who were named to the 2003-04 John R. Wooden Women’s Award Preseason All-America Team on Aug. 13. Based on a vote of the Wooden Women’s Award National Advisory Board, these 30 players are considered the top candidates for the inaugural Wooden Women’s Award, which will be presented to the most outstanding female collegiate basketball player at the conclusion of the ’03-04 season.

Batteast is a two-time all-BIG EAST Conference selection who started every game for the Irish last season, leading the team in scoring (13.9 ppg.), rebounding (8.3 rpg.) and blocked shots (1.56 bpg.). She also ranked among the top 15 in the BIG EAST in those categories, as well as steals (1.97 spg.) and double-doubles (8). In addition, the 6-2 wing scored in double figures 26 times, topped the 20-point mark five times, and earned game-high rebounding honors of 14 occasions. She ranks among Notre Dame’s career leaders in scoring average (6th – 13.8 ppg.) and rebounding average (tie-2nd – 8.1 rpg.), and she is one of only five players in school history to amass at least 800 points in her first two seasons under the Golden Dome.

Batteast is one of five BIG EAST players named to the Wooden Preseason All-America Team, joining Rebekkah Brunson of Georgetown, Cappie Pondexter of Rutgers, and the Connecticut duo of Ann Strother and Diana Taurasi.

In mid-January, the Wooden Women’s Award Committee will release its Midseason Top 20 List, followed in March by the official voting ballot which will consist of the top 10-15 players who have proven their success in the classroom (minimum 2.0 grade-point average) as well as on the court. More than 250 voters, comprised of sports media members and women’s college basketball experts around the country, will then cast their votes for the five-member Wooden All-America Team and the Wooden Award winner.

Although the 2003-04 season marks the debut of the Wooden Women’s Award, the honor initially was created in 1976 to recognize the top male collegiate basketball player in the nation. Past winners include Larry Bird (’79), Michael Jordan (’84) and Tim Duncan (’97).

BATTEAST CHOSEN FOR STATE FARM/WBCA WADE TROPHY PRESEASON WATCH LIST
Junior forward Jacqueline Batteast is one of 35 players who were selected to the 2003-04 State Farm Wade Trophy Preseason Watch List on Aug. 20 by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA). Based on a vote of committee members which include leading coaches, journalists and basketball administrators, these 35 players are considered the top candidates for the State Farm Wade Trophy, which will be presented to the most outstanding female collegiate basketball player at the conclusion of the ’03-04 season.

Batteast is a two-time all-BIG EAST Conference selection who started every game for the Irish last season, leading the team in scoring (13.9 ppg.), rebounding (8.3 rpg.) and blocked shots (1.56 bpg.). She also ranked among the top 15 in the BIG EAST in those categories, as well as steals (1.97 spg.) and double-doubles (8). In addition, the 6-2 wing scored in double figures 26 times, topped the 20-point mark five times, and earned game-high rebounding honors of 14 occasions. She ranks among Notre Dame’s career leaders in scoring average (6th – 13.8 ppg.) and rebounding average (tie-2nd – 8.1 rpg.), and she is one of only five players in school history to amass at least 800 points in her first two seasons under the Golden Dome.

Batteast was one of five BIG EAST players named to the ’03-04 Wade Trophy Preseason Watch List, joining Rebekkah Brunson of Georgetown, Ieva Kublina of Virginia Tech, Cappie Pondexter of Rutgers and last year’s Wade Trophy recipient, Diana Taurasi of Connecticut.

The State Farm Wade Trophy, now in its 27th year, is named after Margaret Wade, the late Delta State University coach who won three national championship in the mid-1970s. The Wade Trophy is considered the one of the most prestigious individual awards in women’s college basketball and is organized by the WBCA and the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport (NAGWS).

STREET & SMITH’S TAPS BATTEAST AS PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN
Adding to her armload of preseason hardware, junior forward Jacqueline Batteast (South Bend, Ind.) was named a preseason honorable mention All-American by Street & Smith’s in the magazine’s annual basketball preview issue. It’s the third preseason honor for the talented 6-2 wing, who is a two-time all-BIG EAST Conference selection. She also was the 2001-02 United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) National Freshman of the Year and a WBCA/Kodak honorable mention All-American that season, as well as the unanimous choice for BIG EAST Rookie of the Year.

BATTEAST, ERWIN EARN PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE AWARDS
Junior forward Jacqueline Batteast and freshman forward Crystal Erwin both received preseason recognition in a vote of the BIG EAST Conference coaches that was released at the league’s annual Media Day on Oct. 30 at the Newark (N.J.) Liberty Airport Hilton. Batteast was a preseason first-team all-BIG EAST selection, while Erwin was named the Preseason BIG EAST Co-Freshman of the Year, sharing the honor with Connecticut’s Liz Sherwood.

Batteast led the Irish in scoring (13.9 ppg.), rebounding (8.3 rpg.), blocked shots (1.56 bpg.) and double-doubles (8), ranking among the BIG EAST leaders in all four categories. She is a two-time second-team all-conference selection and is one of only five players in school history to score 800 points in her first two seasons at Notre Dame.

As a senior last year at St. Paul High School in Santa Fe Springs, Calif., Erwin earned All-America honors from Parade, Street & Smith’s and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), and also was selected to play in the McDonald’s All-America Game in Atlanta. She averaged 22.3 points, 13.4 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game during her storied prep career, averaging double-doubles during both her junior (24.9 ppg., 14.9 rpg.) and senior seasons (21.2 ppg., 10.2 rpg.). She holds career records at St. Paul for points (2,720), rebounds (1,630) and blocks (380), as well as the school single-season scoring mark (869 in 2001-02). She follows Batteast as the second Irish rookie in three years to be chosen the BIG EAST Preseason Freshman of the Year.

BATTEAST PICKED FOR NAISMITH AWARD PRESEASON WATCH LIST
Junior forward Jacqueline Batteast is among 30 preseason candidates named to the watch list for 2003-04 Naismith College Basketball Player of the Year Awards which are presented annually by the Atanta Tip-Off Club. The Naismith Awards program, now in its 36th year, honors the outstanding male and female college basketball players in the United States. The awards program was founded by the Atlanta Tipoff Club, an organization dedicated to recognizing the achievements of student-athletes in basketball. The candidates were selected by a vote of the Board of Selectors comprised of leading basketball coaches, journalists and basketball analysts.

The Naismith Award is the latest in a series of preseason honors for the Batteast. She was named a preseason All-American by both the John R. Wooden Women’s Award and Street & Smith’s magazine, and she also was selected to the State Farm/WBCA Wade Trophy Preseason Watch List. In addition, she was a first-team all-BIG EAST choice, according to a vote of the league’s head coaches.

IRISH INK THREE STUDENT-ATHLETES IN EARLY SIGNING PERIOD
Notre Dame women’s basketball coach Muffet McGraw announced Nov. 18 that three of the nation’s top high school student-athletes have chosen to continue their careers with the Irish, signing national letters of intent to attend Notre Dame beginning in the fall of 2004. Charel Allen , a 5-10 guard from Monessen, Pa., Melissa D’Amico, a 6-5 forward/center from Manorville, N.Y., and Tulyah Gaines (pronounced too-LIE-uh) , a 5-8 guard from North Las Vegas, Nev., all committed to the Irish during the early signing period, which lasted from Nov. 12-19.

Allen will arrive at Notre Dame next fall as one of the top college prospects from western Pennsylvania. She is a three-time Street & Smith’s honorable mention All-American who averaged 29.9 points, 11.4 rebounds, 7.2 steals and 4.8 assists per game last season at Monessen High School. She also is a two-time Associated Press first-team all-state pick and was named the 2003 AP Class A Player of the Year. In addition, she is a two-time all-Pittsburgh metro area selection and a ’03 AAU 16-and-under All-American. As a freshman in 2001, she was a fifth-team AP all-state choice when she averaged 23.6 points per game. In her first three seasons at MHS, Allen has piled up 2,302 points (26.2 ppg.), 995 rebounds (11.3 rpg.), 600 steals (6.8 spg.), 426 assists (4.8 apg.) and 102 blocks (1.2 bpg.). She was ranked 27th in the nation by Blue Star Index and she will be the fourth Pennsylvania native to play for the Irish (the first in 13 seasons).

At 6-5, D’Amico will be the tallest player on the Irish roster when she sets foot on the Notre Dame campus in the fall of 2004. A versatile post player, she averaged 16.8 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game last season for William Floyd High School in Mastic Beach, N.Y. (located on Long Island). She burst onto the national scene this past summer at the adidas Top Ten Camp in Suwanee, Ga., and is considered by most recruiting services to be one of the top players on the rise in this year’s class. She currently is ranked 47th in the country by All-Star Girls Report and 91st by Blue Star Index , and she follows in the footsteps of another talented New Yorker who came to Notre Dame < two-time=”” honorable=”” mention=”” all-american=”” and=”” mount=”” vernon,=”” n.y.,=”” product,=”” katryna=”” gaither=”” (1993-97).=””>

Gaines is a playmaking guard who will give the Irish solid depth in the backcourt. Last summer, she moved to North Las Vegas and is attending Cheyenne High School, where she will play for the Desert Shields this year. Gaines previously lived in Burbank, Calif., where she was a three-year starter at John Burroughs High School. She averaged 18.9 points and 5.1 assists per game last season and was a first-team all-CIF SS (Southern California) Division 2A First Team selection. In addition, she is a two-time Street & Smith’s honorable mention All-American and won a bronze medal with the West Team at the 2003 USA Basketball Youth Development Festival in Colorado Springs. Gaines averaged 6.0 points per game during the five-game tournament, which featured the top prep players from around the country. She is ranked 25th nationally by All-Game Sports, 52nd by Blue Star Index and 61st by All-Star Girls Report , and she is the second Las Vegas area resident in as many years to sign with Notre Dame < current=”” irish=”” freshman=”” guard=””>Breona Gray graduated from Bishop Gorman High School last May.

With the addition of Allen, D’Amico and Gaines, Notre Dame has assembled the nation’s 14th-ranked recruiting class according to Blue Star Index. This marks the eighth consecutive year in which the Irish have attracted a Top 20 class, making Notre Dame one of only three schools (along with Connecticut and Tennessee) to have such a consistent run of recruiting success.

NEW BOOK BY McGRAW NOW ON SALE
Notre Dame head coach Muffet McGraw tried her hand at writing during the past year and has co-authored a book with Bradley University professor Paul Gullifor entitled “Courting Success: Muffet McGraw’s Formula For Winning In Sports And In Life.” The book, which currently is in bookstores nationwide and may be purchased through on-line booksellers such as Amazon.com, touches on how, in the shadows of the nation’s most storied football program, McGraw has quietly built the women’s basketball program into a national power.

Women’s basketball has been one of the University’s most consistently successful varsity sport during the past 16 years, qualifying for the postseason 13 times, including 10 trips to the NCAA Tournament, five NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearances and two Final Fours berths. The team’s rise to national prominence was then cemented with a national championship in 2001. In short, the Notre Dame women’s basketball program has been steadily built into a perennial national championship contender, and its architect for those 16 years has been McGraw. Entering the 2003-04 season, the Pottsville, Pa., native has won 363 games at Notre Dame, has a stellar .725 winning percentage and was the consensus 2001 national Coach of the Year.

Personal accolades aside, McGraw has always been more concerned with off-court success than the progress of her teams. Accordingly, this book is a motivational and inspirational book in which she shares her ingredients for success < on=”” and=”” off=”” the=”” court.=”” it=”” provides=”” lessons=”” for=”” those=”” aspiring=”” toward=”” success=”” in=”” basketball,=”” and=”” in=”” life,=”” while=”” illustrating=”” why=””>Muffet McGraw is one of college basketball’s most accomplished coaches.

NEXT GAME: #4/4 CONNECTICUT
Notre Dame’s top BIG EAST rival, Connecticut, comes to town Tuesday night for a 7 p.m. (ET) matchup. The game will be broadcast live on WHME-TV (Channel 46) in South Bend, as well as Connecticut Public Television (CPTV) and College Sports Television (CSTV). The Huskies lead the all-time series with the Irish, 15-2, with a 4-1 edge in games played at the Joyce Center. UConn also has won the last three games in the series since Notre Dame ousted the Huskies, 90-75, at the 2001 NCAA Final Four in St. Louis.

Connecticut (10-1, 1-0) is ranked fourth in both national polls this week, dropping from its perch on top of the rankings after a last-second 68-67 loss to Duke on Jan. 3 in Hartford. The loss snapped UConn’s 69-game home winning streak, which had tied for the longest in NCAA history, and its 76-game regular-season winning streak. The Huskies bounced back Wednesday night with an 82-57 win at West Virginia behind 14 points and a trio of three-pointers from Diana Taurasi. Connecticut will play host to Georgetown Saturday at noon (ET) before getting set to face Notre Dame.