Notre Dame To Host No. 23 Boston College

Jan. 30, 2004

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NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH (12-7, 5-2)
VS. No. 23 BOSTON COLLEGE EAGLES (14-4, 4-3)

The Date and Time: Saturday, Jan. 31, 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 Jim Barbar (play-by-play), Megan Keating (analysis), Steve Johnson (producer) and Dennis Lanius (director). The game will air live on Fox Sports Net New York (DirecTV Channel 624) and Fox Sports Net Florida (DirecTV Channel 634). 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). 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 Boston College game through the Notre Dame (www.und.com) and Boston College (www.bceagles.com) athletics web sites.
Web Sites: Notre Dame (www.und.com), Boston College (www.bceagles.com).

IRISH CLOSE OUT HECTIC MONTH OF JANUARY AT HOME AGAINST #23 BOSTON COLLEGE
For the sixth time this month, Notre Dame will take on a ranked opponent when it plays host to No. 23 Boston College Saturday at noon (ET) at the Joyce Center. It also will be the 10th game for the Irish in January, marking their busiest month since January 1997, when they also played 10 times.

Notre Dame (12-7, 5-2) picked up its fifth win over a ranked opponent and first on the road Wednesday night with a 59-50 victory at No. 17/16 Miami. The Irish trailed by eight points in the first half, but rallied to take the lead just after halftime and iced the win with eight of 10 free throws in the final 1:18.

Sophomore forward Courtney LaVere led a potent Notre Dame reserve unit with a team-high 15 points, part of a 33-8 scoring advantage for the Irish bench. Sophomore guard Megan Duffy turned in a solid all-around effort with 14 points, six rebounds ad five assists, and she nailed five of six free throws in the final 57 seconds.

Boston College (14-4, 4-3) also came away victorious on Wednesday night, downing Providence, 76-42, in Chestnut Hill, Mass. Senior guard Amber Jacobs scored a game-high 18 points for the Eagles, who shot 51.7 percent from the floor. Junior guard Jessalyn Deveny is BC’s leading scorer, ranking seventh in the BIG EAST at 16.1 points per game.

Notre Dame leads the all-time series with Boston College, 7-4, including a 5-0 mark at the Joyce Center. BC won the only meeting last season (76-48 at Conte Forum), snapping a series-long four-game Irish winning streak.

A QUICK LOOK AT THE FIGHTING IRISH
Notre Dame has ridden a true roller coaster of emotions this season. Facing the nation’s third-toughest schedule, the Irish have been particularly dominant at home, going 8-0 at the Joyce Center, but have had maddening runs of inconsistency on the road, posting a 4-7 mark. Still, Notre Dame has gained valuable experience against some top-notch opponents this year, going 5-3 against Top 25 teams and firmly planting itself within the Top 20 of all major RPI ladders.

• Junior forward and preseason All-American Jacqueline Batteast (15.3 ppg., 8.5 rpg., .460 field goal percentage, seven double-doubles) has lived up to her accolades this season, ranking among the BIG EAST leaders in scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage and blocked shots (1.11 bpg.). 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. Since BIG EAST play began, she has been red hot, averaging 17.2 points and 9.8 rebounds per game with a .534 field goal percentage and four double-doubles, all in the past five games. She now has 62 career double-figure scoring games and 26 career double-doubles after a 14-point, nine-rebound effort on Jan. 24 vs. Villanova, a performance that included a 10 for 10 effort at the free throw line (the second-best outing in Joyce Center history and third-best in school annals). Batteast also became the 20th Notre Dame player to score 1,000 career points when she tallied 14 points vs. Virginia Tech on Jan. 10, making her the fourth-fastest ever to reach that milestone (72 games).
• Junior center Teresa Borton (6.5 ppg., 4.2 rpg., .515 FG%) and sophomore forward Courtney LaVere (8.7 ppg., 4.8 rpg.) also have made important contributions at times this season. Borton has recovered well from off-season heel surgery and was at her best vs. Colorado State and Marquette, ringing up 14 points on both occasions. Borton then added 11 points and eight rebounds at Georgetown, followed by 14 points and six boards against Virginia Tech. 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. She once again cracked double figures on Jan. 1 vs. Marquette, tossing in 16 points on six of 11 shooting. LaVere has looked solid in her last five outings, averaging 10.6 ppg., with a .512 field goal percentage (21 of 41), providing a critical 14 points against Connecticut, 10 points at West Virginia and Syracuse, and a team-high 15 points at Miami.
• Sophomore Megan Duffy (11.2 ppg., team-high 4.68 apg., .413 3FG%, .824 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 tripled her scoring output, ranks fourth in the BIG EAST in assists and owns a team-best 1.46 assist/turnover ratio (seventh in the BIG EAST). In addition, she is showing offensive diversity, knocking down 31 three-pointers this season. She also has 10 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 Jan. 7. Her ball handling skills have not diminished, as she also has registered five or more assists in 11 games, including a career-high nine assists on Dec. 7 at Washington. In her last outing, she scored 14 points and hit five of six free throws in the final 57 seconds at Miami.
• Senior captain Le’Tania Severe (7.5 ppg., 3.5 apg., .479 FG%, .790 FT%) has slid over to the shooting guard position in place of the NCAA’s all-time three-point queen, Alicia Ratay, and Severe has filled the role admirably. 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 leads the team with 1.42 steals per game and has been a vital piece of Notre Dame’s transition game. She has scored in double digits seven times this year, including a season-high 15 points at Purdue and 12 points against Connecticut on Jan. 13.

A QUICK LOOK AT BOSTON COLLEGE
Boston College has found itself competing from an unfamiliar position this season. For the first time in school history, the Eagles are coming off a trip to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen and are bearing all of the scrutiny that goes along with such success. In addition, BC lost six letterwinners and three starters (including three fifth-year seniors) from that club, which finished 22-9 and wound up tied for third in the BIG EAST Conference.

Despite a retooled lineup, Boston College has not appeared to miss a beat, posting a 14-4 record (4-3 in the BIG EAST). The Eagles darted from the gate, winning 12 of their first 13 games, highlighted by tournament titles at the Coors Rocky Mountain Invitational (hosted by Colorado State) and the Brown Classic.

The BIG EAST season has been a challenging one thus far for BC, with the Eagles going 3-1 inside Conte Forum, but 1-2 on the road. They were at home on Wednesday night and the result was a comfortable 76-42 win over Providence. None of the 13 players on the roster played more than 26 minutes and 11 different players wound up scoring in the victory. Senior guard Amber Jacobs scored a game-high 18 points, making six of 10 shots, including all four of her three-point attempts. Sophomore forward Brooke Queenan added 12 points for the Eagles, who shot 51.7 percent from the floor and turned the ball over just 12 times.

Boston College is led by the double-barreled sharpshooting tandem of Jacobs and junior guard Jessalyn Deveny. The reigning BIG EAST Most Improved Player, Deveny ranks among the Top 10 in the conference in scoring (7th – 16.1 ppg.), field goal percentage (2nd – .526) and free throw percentage (2nd – .859). Meanwhile, Jacobs is among the BIG EAST’s Top 10 in those same three categories < scoring=”” (9th=”” -=”” 15.7=”” ppg.),=”” field=”” goal=”” percentage=”” (3rd=”” -=”” .508)=”” and=”” free=”” throw=”” percentage=”” (1st=”” -=”” .861).=”” in=”” addition,=”” jacobs=”” is=”” shooting=”” .459=”” from=”” the=”” three-point=”” line=”” and=”” deveny=”” is=”” hitting=”” at=”” a=”” .435=”” clip=”” from=”” long=”” range,=”” but=”” neither=”” player=”” has=”” made=”” enough=”” treys=”” to=”” qualify=”” for=”” the=”” conference=”” rankings.=””>

BC head coach Cathy Inglese is in her 11th season with the Eagles, owning a 185-126 (.595) record. She has been a collegiate head coach for 18 seasons and sports a career mark of 305-200 (.604), with a 3-7 record against Notre Dame.

THE NOTRE DAME-BOSTON COLLEGE SERIES
Saturday’s game is the 12th in the series between Notre Dame and Boston College, with the Irish owning a 7-4 edge over the Eagles. This will mark the fifth consecutive season in which Notre Dame and BC have played just once < the=”” teams=”” have=”” alternated=”” hosting=”” duties=”” since=”” the=”” 1999-2000=”” season.=””>

Boston College owns the most recent win in the series, a 76-48 decision on Jan. 29, 2003, in Chestnut Hill, Mass. The verdict snapped a series-long four-game winning streak for the Irish and gave the Eagles their fourth win in six career matchups against Notre Dame at Conte Forum.

The last time BC visited the Joyce Center was Feb. 10, 2002, when the Irish ousted the 16th-ranked Eagles, 60-44, before a crowd of 9,676, the third-largest in school history. Notre Dame is 5-0 all-time against Boston College at the Joyce Center, winning by an average of 20 points per game.

Among current Irish players, junior forward Jacqueline Batteast has had the most individual success against Boston College, averaging 17.5 points, 11.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks with two double-doubles in two games vs. the Eagles. A complete rundown of the statistics active Notre Dame players have compiled against BC can be found on page 18 of this notes package.

THE LAST TIME NOTRE DAME AND BOSTON COLLEGE MET
Jacqueline Batteast posted her sixth double-double of the season, but it was not enough as Notre Dame dropped a 76-48 decision at Boston College on Jan. 29, 2003, at Conte Forum in Chestnut Hill, Mass. It was the Eagles’ first win over the Irish since 1998, breaking a four-game BC losing streak in the series.

Batteast rolled up 17 points and a season-high 13 rebounds, while Alicia Ratay added eight points and a season-best nine rebounds. It was the second consecutive game in which Ratay matched her season high in rebounds. Jessalyn Deveny led four Boston College players in double figures with 18 points, all in the second half. Amber Jacobs chipped in with 17 points on eight of nine shooting, and Becky Gottstein nearly charted a double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds.

The teams played virtually even for the first nine minutes, trading the lead five times with four ties. Notre Dame fired the first salvo of the night, going on an 11-0 run to take its largest lead of the game at 21-12 with 5:45 remaining in the first half. However, BC responded with an 11-2 run of its own to pull even at 23-23 with 29 seconds left in the period. A pair of free throws by Courtney LaVere would give the Irish a two-point lead at halftime.

Notre Dame built on its edge early in the second half, taking a 34-29 lead on a jumper by Batteast with 16:17 to play. That’s when the Eagles took control, going on a 17-2 run over the next four minutes to take a 10-point lead. The Irish made a brief surge and got as close as 51-43 when Megan Duffy canned a three-pointer at the 9:22 mark. Boston College then iced the win by scoring 25 of the final 30 points in the game.

The Eagles were razor sharp in the second half, connecting on 57.6 percent of their shots (19 of 33). They also sparkled at the foul line, making 13 of 14 free throws (92.9 percent). Meanwhile, Notre Dame was hampered by the loss of Le’Tania Severe, who was injured in the first half and did not return.

THE LAST TIME NOTRE DAME AND BOSTON COLLEGE MET AT THE JOYCE CENTER
Before the third-largest women’s basketball crowd in school history (9,676), Notre Dame downed No. 16/18 Boston College, 60-44 on Feb. 10, 2002, at the Joyce Center. Jacqueline Batteast carded the 11th double-double of her freshman season with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Alicia Ratay added 11 points and Amanda Barksdale set a school record with 11 blocked shots, part of a 16-block effort by Notre Dame, one off the BIG EAST record.

Boston College entered the game leading the nation in three-point percentage (.441), but shot two of 17 from behind the arc. Amber Jacobs was the only Eagles’ player in double figures, scoring 10 points. As a team, BC shot a season-low 23.9 percent (17 of 71) from the field en route to its lowest point total in more than two years.

The first half was a tightly-contested affair that featured seven lead changes. Notre Dame finally broke free in the second half, as Ratay buried a foul line jumper to ignite a 13-2 Irish run that gave the hosts a 44-33 lead midway through the period. BC pulled within six points on Rachel Byars’ jumper with 7:20 left, but Batteast then scored six points in a mini 8-2 Notre Dame run which bumped the lead back into double digits. The Eagles would get no closer than nine points down the stretch with the final margin proving to be the largest of the day for either side.

OTHER NOTRE DAME-BOSTON COLLEGE SERIES TIDBITS

• Only three times in 11 previous meetings has Boston College scored more than 65 points in a game against Notre Dame (all coming at Conte Forum). Conversely, the Irish have topped the 65-point mark six times against BC, including four of their five previous matchups at the Joyce Center.
• The 44 points scored by Boston College in its last visit to Notre Dame were the fewest by either team in the 11-game series.
• For the seventh time in Notre Dame’s nine-year affiliation with the BIG EAST Conference, the Irish will be playing Boston College just once this season. Notre Dame faced the Eagles twice during the 1996-97 and 1998-99 campaigns.
• Saturday’s Notre Dame-Boston College contests will mark the ninth time in the last 10 series games that one or both teams are ranked at tipoff (ND leads 6-2 in these games). The 1997-98 matchup (a 78-76 BC win on Feb. 12) is the only time in the last eight years that neither team appeared in the Top 25 of one of the major national polls prior to the game.

NOTRE DAME-BOSTON COLLEGE CONNECTIONS

• Boston College senior center Maureen Leahy is the sister of former Notre Dame player Meaghan Leahy, who was one of five seniors on the 2001 Irish national championship team. The Leahy family hails from Wilbraham, Mass.
• Although they will be 2,000 miles away from home and more than 60 degrees colder on Saturday, there are four California natives (three from southern California) on the combined rosters for this year’s Notre Dame-Boston College matchup. Irish sophomore forward Courtney LaVere was a standout at Buena High School in Ventura, while Notre Dame freshman forward Crystal Erwin is from Rancho Cucamonga and attended St. Paul High School in Santa Fe Springs. On the other bench, BC sophomore guard Christine Smith played at the Crossroads School in Los Angeles, and Eagles sophomore forward Nicole Warren graduated from Marin Catholic High School in Mill Valley.

THE BEASTS OF THE BIG EAST
Notre Dame is 117-26 (.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 73 of their last 89 regular-season conference games (.820), 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 129-34 (.791) against league opponents < when=”” factoring=”” in=”” these=”” 20=”” postseason=”” tilts,=”” the=”” irish=”” are=”” 64-7=”” (.901)=”” at=”” home,=”” 53-22=”” (.707)=”” on=”” the=”” road=”” and=”” 12-5=”” (.706)=”” at=”” neutral=”” sites=”” all-time=”” vs.=”” big=”” east=”” foes.=””>

ON THIS DATE
The Irish have played six times on Jan. 31 in their 27-year history, logging a 5-1 record on this date with a 4-1 mark at home. Notre Dame last played on Jan. 31 in 2001, toppling Providence, 64-44 at the Joyce Center.

The final day of January actually has seen two record-setting performances in school history, both of which came during the program’s infancy. As a Division III unit in 1978, the Irish defeated Grace College, 68-25, setting a Notre Dame record for the fewest points allowed in a game. Three years later during their first season at the Division I level (1981), the Irish found themselves on the other side of that equation, falling to No. 15 South Carolina, 124-48, and allowing the most points in school annals. For those who are counting, that was a 99-point swing for the opposition and a 119-point reversal in the margin of victory.

A MONTH TO REMEMBER
Saying January has been a crazy month for Notre Dame would probably be a bit of an understatement. To begin with, the Irish had 10 games on the schedule this month, its fullest slate since January 1997, when Notre Dame also played 10 times, posting a 9-1 record en route to its first NCAA Final Four appearance. However, that 1997 docket saw the Irish go the entire month without facing a ranked opponent. This year’s Notre Dame squad didn’t have that kind of luck, with Saturday’s game against No. 23 (ESPN/USA Today) Boston College marking the sixth Top 25 foe of the month of the Irish.

This January didn’t start out well for Notre Dame, as the Irish lost two of their first three games, including a heartbreaking 76-73 setback at Georgetown in which the Hoyas scored seven points in the final 14 seconds to steal the victory. Unfazed, Notre Dame has bounced back with wins in five of its last six games, highlighted by victories over No. 4/4 Connecticut (66-51), No. 16/15 Virginia Tech (53-40), No. 17/16 Miami (59-50) and No. 23/25 Villanova (38-36). Those four wins have helped propel the Irish into a three-way tie for second place in the BIG EAST standings as the conference season reaches its midway point this weekend.

IF NOTRE DAME WINS …

• Notre Dame will register its sixth win over a ranked opponent this season, improving to 6-3 against Top 25 clubs in 2003-04 (4-0 at the Joyce Center). By contrast, the Irish had five wins over ranked teams in the last two years combined (three in the regular season).
• The Irish will extend their current home winning streak to 14 games, collect their 107th win in their last 116 home games (.922) and move to 65-7 (.903) all-time at home against BIG EAST opposition.
• Notre Dame will card its 10th win in the last 13 games since opening the year at 3-4.
• The Irish will improve to 118-26 (.819) all-time in regular-season games against the BIG EAST Conference, maintaining the best winning percentage in conference history.
• Head coach Muffet McGraw will see her record at Notre Dame rise to 376-145 (.722) in 17 seasons under the Golden Dome. She also will watch her career ledger improve to 464-186 (.714) in 22 years at the college level.
• The Irish will raise their all-time record to 540-244 (.689) in 27 seasons of varsity competition.

RECAPPING THE MIAMI GAME
Sophomore forward Courtney LaVere scored 15 points, and Notre Dame rode a strong run at the start of the second half to a 59-50 victory Wednesday night over No. 17/16 Miami at the Convocation Center in Coral Gables, Fla.

After falling behind early, Notre Dame went on an 8-0 run to tie the game at 20 on a layup by freshman guard Breona Gray with 7:31 left in the first half. Miami responded with back-to-back three-pointers from Yalonda McCormick and Melissa Knight and led 28-26 lead at halftime.

The Irish (12-7, 5-2) went on an 11-2 run after the break to take a 37-30 lead, and Miami managed just three baskets while turning the ball over seven times in the first 12:47. Sophomore guard Megan Duffy hit two free throws to push the lead to 45-37 with 6:23 left, but the Hurricanes rallied and pulled within three points on a Shaquana Wilkins layup with 3:28 remaining. However, junior forward Katy Flecky quashed the UM comeback by burying a short jumper with 2:07 to go, giving the Irish a 51-46 lead. Notre Dame then went nine for 10 from the line in the final 1:18 to seal the victory, with Duffy canning five of six charities over that stretch.

Tamara James had a game-high 16 points for Miami, which lost for the first time since Jan. 7 and only the second time all year. The Hurricanes also came into the game ranked 19th in the country in scoring (75.3 ppg.), but were held to their lowest offensive output of the season.

BATTEAST DOMINATING IN BIG EAST PLAY
Junior forward Jacqueline Batteast has taken her game to another level against BIG EAST Conference opponents this year. In seven conference games this year, Batteast is carding 16.0 points and 9.9 rebounds per game with four double-doubles. She currently is first in the conference in rebounding and sixth in scoring. In addition, she has the top field goal percentage in the BIG EAST during league play (.525) and just missed double-doubles in her last two conference outings (14 points and nine rebounds vs. Villanova; nine points and 10 rebounds at Miami).

IT STARTS WITH DEFENSE
Notre Dame has stepped up its play recently thanks in large measure to the added pressure applied by its defense. During the first month of BIG EAST action, the Irish rank among the top three in the conference in nearly every defensive category, including scoring defense (1st – 50.3 ppg.), scoring margin (2nd – +7.4 ppg.), field goal percentage defense (1st – .331), three-point field goal percentage defense (1st – .207), rebounding (3rd – 37.3 rpg.), rebounding defense (2nd – 32.1 rpg.), rebounding margin (2nd – +5.1 rpg.) and blocked shots (2nd – 4.71 bpg.).

However, that’s just the start when it comes to noting Notre Dame’s defense. Here are some other tidbits about the current Irish defensive lockdown:

• Notre Dame has given up an average of just 40.3 ppg. in its last three games. In fact, the 121 points allowed by the Irish in that stretch represents the second-best three-game defensive run in school history. Notre Dame gave up only 110 points (36.7 ppg.) from Jan. 18-31, 1978, in wins over Purdue-Calumet, IPFW and Grace College (all came when the Irish played at the Division III level).
• The Irish held back-to-back opponents (Syracuse and Villanova) to less than 40 points for only the second time in school history (and first in the program’s Division I era, which began in 1980-81) < the=”” first=”” time=”” came=”” on=”” jan.=”” 24=”” &=”” 31,=”” 1978,=”” when=”” the=”” irish=”” defeated=”” ipfw=”” (68-39)=”” and=”” grace=”” college=”” (68-25).=””>
• In 14 halves of BIG EAST action (seven games), Irish opponents have scored 30-or-more points just three times, with Georgetown accounting for two of those in the BIG EAST opener back on Jan. 7.
• Notre Dame had limited its last six opponents to field goal percentages of less than .400, going 5-1 in those contests. In addition, Syracuse and Villanova both shot 25 percent or less from the floor. For the season, the Irish are 10-2 when they hold their opponents to less than 40 percent shooting from the field.
• Notre Dame held Syracuse to 35 points on Jan. 21, setting a school record for the fewest points ever allowed in a BIG EAST road game and the second-fewest yielded in any road game (84-27 at Valparaiso on Jan. 21, 1982).

SILENCING THE BIG GUNS
For the most part, Notre Dame has done a good job of shutting down the opposition’s top offensive threat since the start of BIG EAST Conference play. Only two of these opposing players (Georgetown’s Rebekkah Brunson and West Virginia’s Kate Bulger) have matched or exceeded their season scoring averages, and just one (Tamara James of Miami) has topped her season shooting percentage.

BATTEAST AT HER BEST AGAINST THE BEST
Junior forward Jacqueline Batteast has played very well in Notre Dame’s eight games against Top 25 opponents this year. She is averaging 16.1 points and 9.0 rebounds with three double-doubles (and three near double-doubles) in those matchups against ranked opponents in 2003-04.

NO CUPCAKES FOR THE IRISH
Notre Dame has fought through a brutal schedule that has included playing eight games against Top 25 opponents. The Irish have handled the challenge very well, going 5-3 in those contests with victories over No. 22/25 Auburn (77-64), No. 16/15 Virginia Tech (53-40), No. 4/4 Connecticut (66-51), No. 23/25 Villanova (38-36) and No. 17/16 Miami (59-50). Notre Dame narrowly missed a sixth win over a Top 25 foe, as No. 20/20 Colorado rallied to defeat the Irish, 67-63 in overtime in the championship game of the season-opening WBCA Classic in Boulder, Colo.

By comparison, in the previous two seasons (2001-02 and 2002-03), Notre Dame had a total of five wins over ranked opponents, with three of those coming in the regular season (Virginia Tech and Boston College in ’01-02, and Villanova in ’02-03).

The rugged Irish schedule has not gone unnoticed by the national media. The latest CollegeRPI.com, WBCA/Summerville RPI, Sagarin/Collegiate Basketball News and Massey rankings all have tabbed Notre Dame’s schedule as the third-toughest in the nation (through Jan. 29).

WE DIDN’T STAY AT A HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS
Maybe it’s the long plane rides, or the lumpy mattresses in the hotel, or even the quality of the pre-game meal. Whatever the reason, Notre Dame has struggled at times on the road this season, going 4-7 away from the Joyce Center (3-7 in true road games). That’s a far cry from the success the Irish have experienced at home, where they are a perfect 8-0 and own an active 13-game winning streak.

PINE TIME PLAYERS
Since the start of the BIG EAST Conference season on Jan. 7, Notre Dame has received critical support from its reserves. The Irish bench has averaged 19.1 points in seven conference games this year, outscoring its opponent’s reserves by an average margin of 12.2 ppg. over that time.

Notre Dame’s bench play has been especially important in its last three games (wins over Syracuse, No. 23/25 Villanova and No. 17/16 Miami). In that span, the Irish reserves are averaging 25.3 ppg., including a season-high 35 points at Syracuse and 33 points at Miami.

NOTING THE WIN OVER #4 CONNECTICUT
Notre Dame’s 66-51 victory over No. 4/4 Connecticut on Jan. 13 at the Joyce Center was historic for a number of reasons. Here are just a few of them:

• Notre Dame’s win over Connecticut snapped the Huskies’ 121-game winning streak against unranked opponents, a string that dated back to Jan. 23, 1999 (a 78-66 loss at Boston College).
• Since the start of the 1998-99 season, Connecticut has lost by 15-plus points only three times and each time, those losses have come to Notre Dame (twice in 2000-01, once in 2003-04).
• Notre Dame is one of only two teams in the nation (and the first BIG EAST squad) to defeat Connecticut more than once in the past 11 seasons (1993-94 to present). During that 11-year stretch, Tennessee is the only other program with multiple wins over the Huskies.
• In the past four seasons (2000-01 to present), half of Connecticut’s six losses have come at the hands of Notre Dame.
• Over the past five seasons (1999-2000 to present), the Joyce Center is the only arena to see multiple losses by Connecticut.

A HALF TO REMEMBER
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 in scoring at 11.2 ppg., which more than triples her production from last year. However, her biggest improvement has come in her shooting numbers, where she’s connecting at a .413 percentage (31-75) from the three-point line. She’s also more than 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 10 double-figure games this season, with 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 fourth in the BIG EAST with 4.68 assists per game, more than doubling last year’s output. She also has just 61 turnovers, giving her a healthy 1.46 assist/turnover ratio (seventh in the BIG EAST). She has dished out at least five assists 11 times this year, including a career-high nine dimes on Dec. 7 at Washington. In addition, she is averaging 5.3 assists in Notre Dame’s last six games with at least six handouts in four contests.

BATTEAST REACHES 1,000-POINT MARK AGAINST VIRGINIA TECH
Junior forward Jacqueline Batteast scored a game-high 14 points on Jan. 10 against No. 16/15 Virginia Tech, becoming the 20th player in school history to score 1,000 career points. She also was the fourth-fastest Irish player ever to reach that milestone, doing so in her 72nd career game.

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 14.2 ppg. scoring average, and 17th in total points (1,093), needing 14 points to pass Danielle Green (1,106 from 1995-2000) for 16th place all-time.

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 fifth in the BIG EAST with a .356 three-point percentage, hitting 73 of 205 shots from beyond the arc. Sophomore guard Megan Duffy has been a major contributor from beyond the arc, connecting at a .413 clip (31-75), which would rank second in the BIG EAST, but she has not made enough field goals to qualify for statistical ranking (minimum of 2.0 per game). Nevertheless, she stands 14th in the BIG EAST with 1.63 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 leg injuries. Joyce has knocked down 21 of 51 treys for a .412 three-point percentage, but she also has not yet made enough field goals to qualify for the rankings.

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 32 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 seven votes 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.

This season, Notre Dame has faced or will face no less than eight teams that are currently ranked in both major polls (No. 1/1 Tennessee, No. 4/3 Connecticut, No. 6/5 Purdue, No. 11/10 Colorado, No. 17/16 Miami, No. 18/18 Michigan State, No. 22/25 Auburn and No. 23/22 Virginia Tech). In addition, Boston College is ranked 23rd in the latest ESPN/USA Today coaches’ poll. Also, Marquette, Rutgers, USC, Villanova and West Virginia are receiving votes in one or both polls this week.

HALF AND HALF
Over the last four seasons, Notre Dame has been nearly unbeatable when it has the lead at halftime. The Irish are 69-5 (.932) since the start of the 2000-01 campaign when they go into the dressing room with the lead, including a 7-1 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 122-4 (.968) record when they hold their opponents to less than 60 points in a game. Notre Dame has added eight more wins to that ledger this season by holding down Valparaiso (74-57), Dayton (78-41), Colorado State (63-59), Virginia Tech (53-40), Connecticut (66-51), Syracuse (64-35), Villanova (38-36) and Miami (59-50).

… 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.

NOTRE DAME AMONG RECENT WINS LEADERS
Notre Dame has won 193 games over the last eight seasons (24.1 victories per year), which stands as the ninth-most wins of any school in the country during that time. Here’s where the Irish rank in terms of their wins since the start of the 1996-97 campaign (totals through games of Jan. 29):

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 106 of their last 115 games (.922) at the 11,418-seat Joyce Center, including a current 13-game winning streak. Notre Dame also has a 64-7 (.901) record in BIG EAST Conference play at the Joyce Center, sporting a 31-game league 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 256-70 (.785) 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, averaging 6,542 fans for their seven home games, including a season-high 8,574 fans on Jan. 13 vs. fourth-ranked Connecticut, the seventh-largest crowd in school history. According to the latest unofficial national attendance rankings compiled by the Wisconsin Sports Information Office (as of Jan. 26), 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, 2003.

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 five seasons.

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 already have taken on Virginia Tech (Jan. 10) and Villanova (Jan. 24), and will face Boston College (Saturday) at home, as well as 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 Virginia Tech, Villanova and Rutgers games on a same-day, tape-delayed basis at 7 p.m. (ET).

Furthermore, the Jan. 13 BIG EAST matchup between Notre Dame and two-time defending national champion Connecticut was televised by Connecticut Public Television (CPTV) with College Sports Television (CSTV) picking up the broadcast and airing it nationally.

Both Notre Dame-Miami games also will be televised this season. The Jan. 28 matchup in Coral Gables, Fla., was picked up by the Sunshine Network on a tape-delayed basis. 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).

NEXT GAME: GEORGETOWN
Notre Dame opens the second half of the BIG EAST season Wednesday at 7 p.m. (ET) against Georgetown at the Joyce Center. The Irish will be seeking to avenge a 76-73 loss to the Hoyas back on Jan. 7 in Washington, D.C., a game that saw Georgetown score seven points in the final 14 seconds to pull out the victory. Despite the setback, Notre Dame still owns a 17-2 record in the all-time series with the Hoyas, including an 8-0 mark at the Joyce Center.

Georgetown (9-9, 3-5) parlayed its win over the Irish into some strong momentum early in the conference season. The Hoyas led at the half against No. 4/4 Connecticut and took No. 21/21 Miami to double overtime, but lost both games on the road. Georgetown returned home and rang up an impressive 70-50 win over No. 23/19 Virginia Tech, the Hoyas’ first victory over a ranked opponent since 1996.

However, Georgetown’s wave of optimism appears to have crashed lately, as the Hoyas have dropped two of their last three games, including a 70-61 defeat at West Virginia on Wednesday night. Georgetown will play host to defending BIG EAST Tournament champion Villanova Saturday before venturing to South Bend next week.

PROMOTIONAL CORNER
Here’s a rundown of some upcoming promotions and giveaways at future Notre Dame women’s basketball games this season (additional promotions and giveaways may be added at a later date):

• Jan. 31 vs. Boston College < circus=”” day;=”” notre=”” dame=”” lunch=”” boxes=”” to=”” the=”” first=”” 1,500=”” fans=””>
• Feb. 14 vs. Providence < disco=”” night;=”” notre=”” dame=”” rally=”” towels=”” to=”” the=”” first=”” 1,500=”” fans=””>
• Feb. 25 vs. Miami <>Courtney LaVere growth charts to the first 1,000 fans