2007–08 Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball team

American college basketball season March 2026 August 2023 Basketball 2007–08 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Notre Dame Fighting Irish logo.svg 150 Big East Conference Big East 19https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/rankings?seasonYear=2008&weekNumber=1&seasonType=3 2008 NCAA Men's Basketball Rankings (Mar. 18) ESPN 2008-03-10 live https://web.archive.org/web/20080329033824/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/rankings?seasonYear=2008&weekNumber=1&seasonType=3 29 March 2008 15http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/rankings 2008 NCAA Men's Basketball Rankings (Mar. 10) ESPN 2008-03-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20080329071504/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/rankings 29 March 2008 25–8 14–4 Mike Brey 8th Sean Kearney Gene Cross Rod Balanis Edmund P. Joyce Center NCAA tournament second round The 2007–08 Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball team represented the University of Notre Dame in the college basketball season of 2007–08, competing in the Big East Conference. The team was led by eighth-year head coach, Mike Brey, and played their home games in the Edmund P. Joyce Center in Notre Dame, Indiana. The previous year's team finished with a 24–8 record and 11–5 record in Big East games. They competed in the 2007 Big East men's basketball tournament and received an at-large bid to the 2007 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I men's basketball tournament, where they lost their first game. The team graduated its two top-scorers between the seasons, but returned three starters and added four recruits for 2007–08. They were picked to finish ninth in the Big East. Notre Dame began the season playing an out-of-conference schedule that included the Paradise Jam tournament, and reached their conference games with a 10–2 record. The team was ranked 14th in the Associated Press (AP) Poll and 15th in the Coaches Poll, and had a 24–7 record overall. The 14–4 record in conference placed the team tied for second in the conference, and was the most conference wins in the history of the school. Dating to 2006, the team won 37 consecutive home games, the second longest active winning streak in the nation. Preseason Rules of basketball Glossary of basketball terms The 2006-07 Notre Dame team finished their season with a 24–8 record that included a loss in the first round of the NCAA tournament.http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/031607aaa.html https://archive.today/20120720212935/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/031607aaa.html dead July 20, 2012 Irish Fall To Eagles In NCAA First Round March 16, 2007 University of Notre Dame 2008-02-24 The Irish made the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2003, and the 24 wins tied the 1973–74 team for the most ever wins at Notre Dame.http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/031107aac.html https://web.archive.org/web/20070314221654/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/031107aac.html dead March 14, 2007 Men's Basketball Returns To The Big Dance, Will Face Winthrop In Spokane March 11, 2007 University of Notre Dame 2008-02-24 Because of the team's accomplishments, Mike Brey was named Big East Coach of the Year.http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/030607aab.html https://web.archive.org/web/20070310194400/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/030607aab.html dead March 10, 2007 Mike Brey Named BIG EAST Coach Of The Year March 6, 2007 University of Notre Dame 2008-02-24 Roster changes and recruiting Notre Dame lost its two top scorers, Russell Carter and Colin Falls, to graduation in 2007.http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/041107aaa.html https://web.archive.org/web/20070505162849/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/041107aaa.html dead May 5, 2007 Carter, Falls Tabbed Co-MVPs At Annual Banquet University of Notre Dame April 11, 2007 2008-02-24 Freshman Joe Harden, who played in only 14 games throughout the season, decided to transfer from Notre Dame.http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/061907aaa.html https://archive.today/20120729134941/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/061907aaa.html dead July 29, 2012 Joe Harden Leaves Men's Basketball Program June 19, 2007 University of Notre Dame 2008-02-24 Kyle McAlarney, a junior, who was suspended for most of the 2006–07 season because of an arrest,Parrish, Gary http://www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/9950117/1 https://archive.today/20130203074843/http://www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/9950117/1 dead February 3, 2013 Something stinks ... and it isn't coming from McAlarney's car CBS Sportsline January 23, 2007 2008-02-24 was reinstated onto the team.Hine, Chris http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/11/08/Sports/KMacs.Comeback.The.Black.Jersey-3087371.shtml K-Mac's comeback: The black jersey The Observer University of Notre Dame November 8, 2007 2008-02-24 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071128134706/http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/11/08/Sports/KMacs.Comeback.The.Black.Jersey-3087371.shtml November 28, 2007 With McAlarney's return, the team returned four former starters.http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/110607aac.html https://web.archive.org/web/20071110040950/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/110607aac.html dead November 10, 2007 Notre Dame Faces St. Edward's Tonight in the Final Exhibition Tuneup November 6, 2007 University of Notre Dame 2008-02-24 The Irish signed four recruits for their new class. Although the class was not highly ranked, it included two three–star athletes. 2007 Tim Abromaitis SF Farmington, CT Farmington High School 6 7 210 2006-10-27 2 2 81 Tyrone Nash F Northfield, MA Northfield Mount Hermon School 6 6 205 2006-10-23 3 3 80 Ty Proffitt PG London, KY South Laurel High School 6 3 190 2006-10-25 2 2 80 Carleton Scott PF San Antonio, TX Madison High School 6 8 200 2006-08-12 3 3 85 2007 Notre Dame 2007 Basketball Commitments 2007 Notre Dame Commits 2007 Player Commitments - Notre Dame notredame 109 87 NR NR 2008-02-22 yes Pre-season outlook With three former starters who had experience in the NCAA tournament, the Irish hoped to have another run to the tournament.Khorey, Chris http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/10/11/Sports/Mens-Basketball.With.KMac.Back.Irish.Set.Sights.On.Return.To.Big.Dance-3026229.shtml Men's Basketball: With K-Mac back, Irish set sights on return to Big Dance October 11, 2007 The Observer University of Notre Dame 2008-02-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20080224234440/http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/10/11/Sports/Mens-Basketball.With.KMac.Back.Irish.Set.Sights.On.Return.To.Big.Dance-3026229.shtml 24 February 2008 However, with only five returning upperclassmen, including only one senior, the Big East's coaches picked the team to finish ninth in the conference.http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/102407aaa.html https://web.archive.org/web/20071027035116/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/102407aaa.html dead October 27, 2007 Notre Dame Picked To Finish Ninth In The 2007-08 BIG EAST Men's Basketball Season October 24, 2007 University of Notre Dame 2008-02-24 Even so, the team entered the season with a 20 home game winning streak, dating to the end of the 2005–06 season. Regular season Roster Basketball positions Notre Dame began the season with 12 scholarship players and two walk-ons.http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/nd-m-baskbl-mtt.html 2007-08 Roster University of Notre Dame 2008-02-22 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080306203650/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/nd-m-baskbl-mtt.html 6 March 2008 Rob Kurz, the only senior on the team, was named team captain prior to the season.http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/110207aaa.html https://web.archive.org/web/20071105192840/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/110207aaa.html dead November 5, 2007 Rob Kurz Named Captain For 2007-08 Men's Basketball Season University of Notre Dame November 2, 2007 2008-02-22 In the 2006–07 season, Tory Jackson took over the point guard position after Kyle McAlarney was suspended. With McAlarney's return, Brey dissolved the position, and both are listed as guards.Rittenberg, Adam https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/columns/story?id=3267338 McAlarney hopes to atone for one poor choice ESPN March 12, 2008 2008-03-12 live https://web.archive.org/web/20080315033924/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?id=3267338 15 March 2008 NameNumberPositionYearHometown Tim Abromaitis 21 F Freshman Farmington, CT Tim Andree 41 F Sophomore Colts Neck, NJ Ryan Ayers 42 F/G Junior Blue Bell, PA Luke Harangody 44 F Sophomore Schererville, IN Zach Hillesland 33 F Junior Toledo, OH Tory Jackson 2 G Sophomore Saginaw, MI Tom Kopko 5 G Freshman Chicago, IL Rob Kurz 31 F Senior Lower Gwynedd Township, PA Kyle McAlarney 23 G Junior Staten Island, NY Tyrone Nash 1 G Freshman Queens, NY Jonathan Peoples 20 G Sophomore Bellwood, IL Ty Proffitt 13 G Freshman London, KY Carleton Scott 34 F Freshman San Antonio, TX Luke Zeller 40 F/C Junior Washington, IN Coaches Notre Dame was coached by Mike Brey and his staff. In his eighth year in the position, Brey accumulated a 142–78 (.646) record at Notre Dame before the season.http://www.cstv.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/nd/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/0708mbbquickfacts https://web.archive.org/web/20071014212127/http://www.cstv.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/nd/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/0708mbbquickfacts dead October 14, 2007 Quick Facts University of Notre Dame PDF 2008-02-22 NameTypeCollegeYear Mike Brey Head coach George Washington 1982 Sean Kearney Associate head coach Scranton 1981 Rod Balanis Assistant coach Georgia Tech 1993 Gene Cross Assistant coach Illinois 1994 Martin Ingelsby Coordinator of basketball operations Notre Dame 2001 Schedule Notre Dame's schedule was announced on September 5, 2007. The Big East expanded all of its teams' schedules from 16 to 18 games in conference, so that all of the teams would play each other. Notre Dame added 12 games out of conference to precede them. Notre Dame played 17 home games, eight away games, and four games on a neutral court, prior to the Big East tournament.http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/090507aaa.html https://web.archive.org/web/20070913231913/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/090507aaa.html dead September 13, 2007 Men's Basketball Announces 2007-08 Schedule University of Notre Dame September 5, 2007 2008-02-22 yes November 12, 2007 7:30 p.m. w yes Long Island Edmund P. Joyce Center Notre Dame, IN 82–50 8,873 1–0 November 16, 2007 8:30 p.m. w yes yes Monmouth Sports and Fitness Center St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam tournament 76–33 2,132 2–0 November 18, 2007 8:30 p.m. l yes yes Baylor Sports and Fitness Center St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam Tournament 68–64 2,339 2–1 November 19, 2007 6:00 p.m. l yes yes Georgia Tech Sports and Fitness Center St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam Tournament 70–69 3,325 2–2 November 24, 2007 7:30 p.m. w yes Youngstown State Edmund P. Joyce Center Notre Dame, IN 87–75 7,461 3–2 November 26, 2007 7:30 p.m. w yes Colgate Edmund P. Joyce Center Notre Dame, IN 94–63 8,977 4–2 December 1, 2007 7:00 p.m. w yes Eastern Michigan Edmund P. Joyce Center Notre Dame, IN 76–65 9,277 5–2 December 4, 2007 7:00 p.m. w yes yes Kansas State Madison Square Garden New York, NY Jimmy V Classic ESPN 68–59 8,300 6–2 December 8, 2007 7:00 p.m. w yes Northern Illinois Edmund P. Joyce Center Notre Dame, IN 108–62 10,142 7–2 December 22, 2007 4:00 p.m. w yes San Francisco Edmund P. Joyce Center Notre Dame, IN 84–76 8,048 8–2 December 29, 2007 7:00 p.m. w yes Brown Edmund P. Joyce Center Notre Dame, IN 87–54 8,386 9–2 December 31, 2007 1:00 p.m. w yes North Florida Edmund P. Joyce Center Notre Dame, IN 77–58 7,841 10–2 January 3, 2008 7:00 p.m. w West Virginia Edmund P. Joyce Center Notre Dame, IN ESPN2 69–56 8,327 11–2 1–0 January 5, 2008 9:00 p.m. w Connecticut Edmund P. Joyce Center Notre Dame, IN ESPN 73–67 10,505 12–2 2–0 January 12, 2008 2:00 p.m. l yes Marquette 16 Bradley Center Milwaukee, WI 92–66 18,906 12–3 2–1 January 15, 2008 7:00 p.m. w Cincinnati Edmund P. Joyce Center Notre Dame, IN ESPNU 91–74 10,231 13–3 3–1 January 19, 2008 12:00 p.m. l yes Georgetown 6 Verizon Center Washington, D.C. MASN 84–65 19,286 13–4 3–2 January 26, 2008 12:00 p.m. w yes Villanova 18 Wachovia Center Philadelphia, PA 90–80 19,989 14–4 4–2 January 31, 2008 7:00 p.m. w Providence Edmund P. Joyce Center Notre Dame, IN ESPN 81–74 OT 10,179 15–4 5–2 February 2, 2008 6:00 p.m. w DePaul Edmund P. Joyce Center Notre Dame, IN ESPN Classic 89–80 11,418 16–4 6–2 February 6, 2008 7:30 p.m. w yes 21 Seton Hall Prudential Center Newark, NJ 95–69 9,800 17–4 7–2 February 9, 2008 12:00 p.m. w 21 Marquette 16 Edmund P. Joyce Center Notre Dame, IN ESPN 86–83 11,418 18–4 8–2 February 13, 2008 7:00 p.m. l yes 18 Connecticut 17 Harry A. Gampel Pavilion Storrs, CT 84–78 10,167 18–5 8–3 February 17, 2008 12:00 p.m. w yes 18 Rutgers Louis Brown Athletic Center Piscataway, NJ 71–68 7,431 19–5 9–3 February 21, 2008 7:00 p.m. w 21 Pittsburgh Edmund P. Joyce Center Notre Dame, IN ESPN 82–70 11,418 20–5 10–3 February 24, 2008 2:00 p.m. w 21 Syracuse Edmund P. Joyce Center Notre Dame, IN CBS 94–87 11,418 21–5 11–3 February 28, 2008 7:00 p.m. l yes 17 Louisville 18 Freedom Hall Louisville, KY ESPN 90–85 19,881 21–6 11–4 March 2, 2008 1:00 p.m. w yes 17 DePaul Allstate Arena Rosemont, IL 98–91 16,934 22–6 12–4 March 5, 2008 7:30 p.m. w 19 St. John's Edmund P. Joyce Center Notre Dame, IN 68–55 11,418 23–6 13–4 March 8, 2008 7:00 p.m. w yes 19 South Florida USF Sun Dome Tampa, FL ESPN+ 67–60 7,875 24–6 14–4 |- !colspan=9| Big East tournament March 13, 2008 9:00 p.m. l yes 14 Marquette 24 Madison Square Garden New York, NY Second round ESPN 79–89 19,562 24–7 |- !colspan=9| NCAA tournament March 20, 2008 9:40 p.m. w yes yes 15 George Mason Pepsi Center Denver, CO First Round CBS 68–50 19,282 25–7 March 22, 2008 6:40 p.m. l yes yes 15 Washington State 21 Pepsi Center Denver, CO Second Round CBS 41–61 19,299 25–8 Coaches' Poll Out of conference games Notre Dame opened the season with a win at home against the Long Island Blackbirds.https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=273160087 https://web.archive.org/web/20201016234850/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=273160087 dead October 16, 2020 Notre Dame 82, Long Island U. 50 November 12, 2007 ESPN 2008-02-23 They next traveled to the U.S. Virgin Islands to face the Monmouth Hawks in the first round of the Paradise Jam tournament. After beating the Hawks,https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=273200087 https://web.archive.org/web/20201016234910/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=273200087 dead October 16, 2020 Notre Dame 76, Monmouth, N.J. 33 November 16, 2007 ESPN 2008-02-23 they lost in the semifinals to the Baylor Bears,https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=273220239 https://web.archive.org/web/20201016234856/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=273220239 dead October 16, 2020 Baylor 68, Notre Dame 64 ESPN November 18, 2007 2008-02-23 and lose in the third place game to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets to leave the tournament with a 2–2 record.https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=273230087 https://web.archive.org/web/20201016234907/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=273230087 dead October 16, 2020 Georgia Tech 70, Notre Dame 69 ESPN November 19, 2007 2008-02-23 The Irish returned home for three games and won against the Youngstown State Penguins,https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=273280087 https://web.archive.org/web/20201016234932/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=273280087 dead October 16, 2020 Notre Dame 87, Youngstown St. 75 ESPN November 24, 2007 2008-02-23 the Colgate Raiders,https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=273300087 https://web.archive.org/web/20201016234908/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=273300087 dead October 16, 2020 Notre Dame 94, Colgate 63 ESPN November 26, 2007 2008-02-23 and the Eastern Michigan Eagles,https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=273350087 https://web.archive.org/web/20201016234855/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=273350087 dead October 16, 2020 Notre Dame 76, E. Michigan 65 ESPN December 1, 2007 2008-02-23 to move to 5–2 on the season. They next traveled to New York to face the Kansas State Wildcats in the Jimmy V. Classic, their first televised game of the season. After a close first half, Notre Dame pulled away to get the win.https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=273380087 https://web.archive.org/web/20190502041409/http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=273380087 dead May 2, 2019 Norte Dame shuts down K-State leader Beasley in second half ESPN December 4, 2007 2008-02-23 Returning home again, they beat the Northern Illinois Huskies before taking two weeks off for final exams.https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=273420087 https://web.archive.org/web/20201016234905/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=273420087 dead October 16, 2020 Notre Dame 108, N. Illinois 62 ESPN December 8, 2007 2008-02-23 After finals, they played three more home games, beating the San Francisco Dons,https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=273560087 https://web.archive.org/web/20201016234843/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=273560087 dead October 16, 2020 Notre Dame 84, San Francisco 76 ESPN December 22, 2007 2008-02-23 the Brown Bears,https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=273630087 https://web.archive.org/web/20201016234859/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=273630087 dead October 16, 2020 Notre Dame 87, Brown 54 ESPN December 29, 2007 2008-02-23 and the North Florida Ospreys,https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=273650087 https://web.archive.org/web/20201016234914/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=273650087 dead October 16, 2020 Notre Dame 77, North Florida 58 ESPN December 31, 2007 2008-02-23 to finish their non-conference schedule with a 10–2 record. Big East games Notre Dame began their conference play with two home games before the students returned from Christmas break. With wins over the West Virginia Mountaineers and the Connecticut Huskies,https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=280030087 https://web.archive.org/web/20201016234902/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=280030087 dead October 16, 2020 Notre Dame 69, West Virginia 56 ESPN January 3, 2008 2008-02-23https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=280050087 https://web.archive.org/web/20170212091828/http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=280050087 dead February 12, 2017 Notre Dame 73, Connecticut 67 ESPN January 5, 2008 2008-02-23 they began conference play with a 2–0 record. They next traveled to face the 16th-ranked Marquette Golden Eagles for their first true road game of the season, but they lost by 26 points to give Mike Brey his worst loss as Notre Dame coach.https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=280120269 Marquette hands Notre Dame most lopsided defeat in rivalry history ESPN January 12, 2008 2008-02-23 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080116081755/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280120269 16 January 2008 The team returned home to beat the Cincinnati Bearcats,https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=280150087 https://web.archive.org/web/20201016234845/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=280150087 dead October 16, 2020 Notre Dame 91, Cincinnati 74 ESPN January 15, 2008 2008-02-23 before again losing on the road against the sixth-ranked Georgetown Hoyas.https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=280190046 Georgetown defense stifles Irish shooting in win ESPN January 19, 2008 2008-02-23 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080123001741/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280190046 23 January 2008 They finally got their first road win a week later against the 18th-ranked Villanova Wildcats, to move to 4–2 in the Big East with a 14–4 overall record.https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=280260222 McAlarney leads Notre Dame past slumping Villanova ESPN January 26, 2008 2008-02-23 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080129145713/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280260222 29 January 2008 Notre Dame returned home to face the Providence Friars, and, although the Friars were 3–4 in conference play, the game stayed close and the Irish only won after an overtime period.https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=280310087 https://web.archive.org/web/20201016234927/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=280310087 dead October 16, 2020 Notre Dame 81, Providence 74 ESPN January 31, 2008 2008-02-23 They continued at home and beat DePaul in the first of two games against the Blue Demons,https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=280330087 https://web.archive.org/web/20201016234923/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=280330087 dead October 16, 2020 Notre Dame 89, DePaul 80 ESPN February 2, 2008 2008-02-23 to move into the rankings for the first time in the season. As the 21st-ranked team in the country, the team traveled to Seton Hall to face the Pirates. They got their second road win of the season,https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=280372550 https://web.archive.org/web/20201016234858/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=280372550 dead October 16, 2020 Notre Dame nets big conference win against Seton Hall ESPN February 6, 2008 2008-02-23 and returned home to face 16th-ranked Marquette again. With a win over the Golden Eagles,https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=280400087 Fighting Irish keep home streak going with free throws ESPN February 9, 2008 2008-02-23 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080212192447/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280400087 12 February 2008 they moved up to 18th in the rankings. They next traveled to Connecticut to face the 17th-ranked Huskies for the second time. Although the Irish led for much of the game, they lost in the end.https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=280440041 Connecticut snaps Notre Dame's five-game winning streak ESPN February 13, 2008 2008-02-23 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080217210859/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280440041 17 February 2008 Despite winning another road game later in the week against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights,https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=280480164 No. 18 Fighting Irish hold off reeling Rutgers ESPN February 17, 2008 2008-02-23 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080218200451/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280480164 18 February 2008 they dropped back to 21st in the rankings with a 19–5 record overall. The Irish next returned home to face the Pittsburgh Panthers, who had beaten them in five straight games. Although trailing at half-time, Notre Dame came back and scored 52 points in the second half to win the game.https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=280520087 No. 21 Irish use late 21-10 run to drop Panthers ESPN February 21, 2008 2008-02-23 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080225122159/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280520087 25 February 2008 The team stayed at home to play the Syracuse Orange and led the whole game to get another conference win,https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=280550087 McAlarney hits school-best nine 3s as ND wins 36th straight at home ESPN February 24, 2008 2008-02-24 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080229025729/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280550087 29 February 2008 but lost another away game the same week at the 18th-ranked Louisville Cardinals.https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=280590097 Padgett scores 26 to push Louisville past Notre Dame February 28, 2008 ESPN 2008-02-28 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080305015644/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280590097 5 March 2008 They next traveled to face DePaul, and with the win, swept the Blue Demons in the season.https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=280620305 Harangody, Notre Dame withstand furious DePaul rally ESPN March 2, 2008 2008-03-02 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080305031857/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280620305 5 March 2008 The Irish returned home for their final home game of the season, and, although they were held to under 69 points for only the fifth time in the season, beat the St. John's Red Storm.https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=280650087 Irish become first Big East team to go undefeated at home two straight seasons ESPN March 5, 2008 2008-03-06 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080311000549/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280650087 11 March 2008 For their final regular season game they traveled to South Florida and defeated the Bulls to win their fourteenth Big East game, a school record.https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=280680058 Notre Dame scores school-best 14th Big East win ESPN March 8, 2008 2008-03-09 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080317115031/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280680058 17 March 2008 With a 14–4 record in the Big East, Notre Dame finished the regular season tied for second place in the conference with Louisville. Post season tournaments Big East tournament 2008 Big East men's basketball tournament With Marquette's loss to Georgetown on March 1,https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=280610269 Hibbert, Wallace score 20 each to lift Georgetown in OT March 1, 2008 ESPN 2008-03-03 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080303064626/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280610269 3 March 2008 and Notre Dame's win over DePaul on March 2, the Irish clinched a bye in the first round of the Big East men's basketball tournament. They played their opening game, as the third seed of the tournament, on March 13 at Madison Square Garden.https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/champweek2008/news/story?page=ncb_champweek2008 Conference tournament schedules, results ESPN 2008-03-03 live https://web.archive.org/web/20080309160622/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/champweek2008/news/story?page=ncb_champweek2008 9 March 2008 Marquette, the sixth seed in the tournament, defeated Seton Hall in the first round to advance and play the Irish in the second round.https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=280720269 https://web.archive.org/web/20200809054138/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=280720269 dead August 9, 2020 Marquette holds Seton Hall scoreless in final minutes of win ESPN March 12, 2008 2008-03-14 Despite leading scorer Luke Harangody only playing for seven minutes in the first half, the Irish held a six-point lead at half-time. However, late in the second half, Marquette took a 10-point lead, the largest of the game, and held on to the lead for the 89–79 win, dropping Notre Dame out of the tournament.https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=280730087 McNeal's career-high 28 carry Marquette to Big East semis ESPN March 13, 2008 2008-03-14 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080319104919/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280730087 19 March 2008 NCAA tournament 2008 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament Although teams are not officially invited to the NCAA tournament until Selection Sunday (March 16, 2008), multiple publications predicted before the selection that the Irish would receive an at-large bid.Hamilton, Brian http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-16-notre-dame-basketballmar16,1,2936821.story https://archive.today/20120728170558/http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-16-notre-dame-basketballmar16,1,2936821.story dead July 28, 2012 Notre Dame awaits NCAA seeding Chicago Tribune March 16, 2008 2008-03-16Parrish, Gary http://cbs.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/10639109 Projecting the Field CBSSportsline 2008-03-03 https://web.archive.org/web/20080228143950/http://cbs.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/10639109 28 February 2008 Mandel, Stewart http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/stewart_mandel/03/03/bubble.watch/index.html?eref=T1 https://web.archive.org/web/20110604172947/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/stewart_mandel/03/03/bubble.watch/index.html?eref=T1 dead June 4, 2011 Clearer at top Sports Illustrated 2008-03-03 March 3, 2008Burlison, Frank http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/7856334/Breaking-the-Bracket:-Just-two-weeks-left Breaking the Bracket: Just two weeks left Fox Sports 2008-03-03 https://web.archive.org/web/20080304104610/http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/7856334/Breaking-the-Bracket%3A-Just-two-weeks-left 4 March 2008 dead The NCAA announced that the team would receive a five seed in the tournament and face the George Mason Patriots in Denver on March 20, whom they beat.http://ncaa.com/basketball-mens/article.aspx?id=141568 Bracket Announced! NCAA.com March 16, 2008 2008-03-16September 2016 medicmedic The Irish went on to play Washington State, to whom they lost. Statistics As a team, Notre Dame averages over 80 points per game and have a 45.9% field goal percentage. Top scorer Luke Harangody averages over 20 points and 10 rebounds per game, a double-double. At the end of the regular season, he led the Big East in scoring. Additionally, he was second in the conference in rebounding, and led the league in each category during conference play.http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/basketball/ncaa/wires/03/11/2060.ap.bkc.big.east.awards.0300/ Notre Dame's Harangody and Brey sweep Big East postseason awards Sports Illustrated March 11, 2008 2008-03-11September 2024 medicmedic Two other players average over 10 points per game, Kyle McAlarney and Rob Kurz. McAlarney also leads the conference in three-point field goal percentage. Thirteen players have accumulated statistics in games for the Irish.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/teams/stats?teamId=87 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Statistics - 2007-08 ESPN 2008-03-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20080303073557/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/teams/stats?teamId=87 3 March 2008 PlayerGPMinAvgFGMFGAFG pct3FGM3FGA3FG pctFTMFTAFT pctPtsAvgOff rebDef rebTotal rebAvgPFAsstTOBlkStl Harangody 31 891 28.7 248 482 51.5 3 8 37.5 145 189 76.7 644 20.8 103 212 315 10.2 80 53 70 28 25 McAlarney 31 1103 35.6 158 362 43.6 103 230 44.8 51 62 82.3 470 15.2 7 56 62 2.0 31 110 60 1 26 Kurz 31 888 28.6 120 264 45.5 37 93 39.8 120 141 85.1 397 12.8 61 170 231 7.5 91 61 64 43 20 Jackson 31 1016 32.8 93 238 39.1 17 59 28.8 49 96 51.0 252 8.1 54 102 156 5.0 74 189 101 8 58 Ayers 31 785 25.3 81 174 46.6 53 114 46.5 30 40 75.0 245 7.9 22 80 102 3.3 40 38 22 15 24 Hillesland 30 659 22.0 69 138 50.0 1 2 50.0 48 70 68.6 187 6.2 43 109 152 5.1 72 74 50 13 21 Zeller 31 375 12.1 54 125 43.2 31 80 38.8 7 13 53.8 146 4.7 27 43 70 2.3 42 14 7 5 12 Peoples 31 369 11.9 34 77 44.2 13 36 36.1 25 30 83.3 106 3.4 22 30 52 1.7 21 37 21 1 7 Abromaitis 10 38 3.8 5 19 26.3 1 8 12.5 7 7 100.0 18 1.8 4 5 9 0.9 5 3 4 1 1 Proffitt 6 20 3.3 3 7 42.9 2 5 40.0 0 0 0.00 8 1.3 0 3 3 0.5 0 2 0 0 2 Andree 5 13 2.6 2 2 100.0 0 0 0.00 2 2 100.0 6 1.2 1 3 4 0.8 2 1 0 1 0 Nash 13 57 4.4 6 13 46.2 0 1 0.00 3 11 27.3 15 1.2 8 12 20 1.5 6 5 2 1 2 Kopko 5 11 2.2 2 4 50.0 1 3 33.3 0 1 0.00 5 1.0 1 1 2 0.4 1 0 0 0 0 Total 31 — — 875 1905 45.9 262 639 41.0 487 662 73.6 2499 80.6 413 878 1291 41.6 465 587 403 117 198 + Glossary GP: Games played Min: Minutes played Avg: Average FGA: Field goals attempted FGM: Field goals made FG pct: Field goal percentage 3FGA: 3 point field goals attempted 3FGM: 3 point field goals made 3FG pct: 3 point field goals percentage FTA: Free throws attempted FTM: Free throws made FT pct: Free throw percentage Pts: Points Off reb: Offensive rebounds Def reb: Defensive rebounds Total reb: Total rebounds PF: Personal fouls Asst: Assists TO: Turnovers Blk: Blocks Stl: Steals After the season Legacy Dating to February 2006, the Irish have won 37 consecutive home games and 18 Big East home games. The 18 wins is the second longest streak in conference history,Coyne, Tom http://www.courierpress.com/news/2008/feb/25/notre-dames-home-streak-reaches-36/ Notre Dame's home streak reaches 36 February 25, 2008 Evansville Courier & Press 2008-03-03September 2016 medicmedic while the 36 total wins is the second longest current streak in the country behind the BYU Cougars.Brown, Jake http://nwitimes.com/articles/2008/02/25/sports/top_sports/doca4dbd58f269dd943862573f9007e9540.txt Hot outside shooting carries ND past Syracuse February 25, 2008 The Northwest Indiana and Illinois Times Newspaper 2008-03-03 With the win over St. John's on March 5, the Irish became the first Big East team to go undefeated at home in conference games in consecutive seasons. Award winners After the season ended, Luke Harangody was named the conference Player of the Year. Mike Brey was named conference Coach of the Year for the second year in a row. Harangody was also named to the 1st Team All Big East squad, along with Kyle McAlarney.http://www.bigeast.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=19400&ATCLID=1409119 2008 All-BIG EAST Men's Basketball Teams Announced Big East Conference March 10, 2008 2008-03-12 https://web.archive.org/web/20090203154727/http://www.bigeast.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=19400&ATCLID=1409119 February 3, 2009 dead Transfers Notre Dame had two players transfer in following the season. Both would sit out the 2008–09 season, per NCAA rules for transfer students.http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/061708aaa.html https://web.archive.org/web/20080621004636/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/061708aaa.html dead June 21, 2008 Ben Hansbrough And Scott Martin Join Irish Basketball Program University of Notre Dame Athletic Department 2008-06-17 2008-10-23 Scott Martin, a 6-8 swingman, transferred after his freshman season at Purdue. Playing mainly off the bench, he averaged 8.5 points and 3.8 rebounds. He had three years of eligibility remaining. Ben Hansbrough, a 6-3 guard, transferred after his sophomore season at Mississippi State, and had two years of eligibility at Notre Dame. The younger brother of North Carolina superstar Tyler Hansbrough, he was coming off a sophomore season in which he averaged 10.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists as a regular starter. References 2 Notre Dame Category:Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball seasons Notre Dame Fight Fight