Notre Dame Basketball Facing High Expectations in '08-'09

I am posting a video of YouTube goodness, Notre Dame-style, right here.  I hope all Notre Dame fans enjoy it.

The Irish had a successful 2007-2008 season, finishing the season with a record of 25-8.  Notre Dame finished fourth in the Big East Conference at 14-4 and achieved a bye in the first round of the Big East Conference Tournament.  The Irish made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

In addition, Notre Dame has now won a total of 37 straight home games.  For the first time in Big East history, a team went undefeated at home for two straight seasons (Notre Dame).  They were 8-0 and 9-0, respectively, for the last two seasons in the conference.

The Irish were a well-balanced team in 2007-08.  They placed three players in double figures in scoring for the season.  They were led by Luke Harangody, who averaged a double-double in all games.  He averaged 20.4 points per game and 10.6 rebounds per game.  He increased those numbers in conference play, averaging 23.3 ppg and 11.3 rpg.

Kyle McAlarney (15.1 ppg) finished second in scoring, while Rob Kurz (12.5 ppg) finished third.

Mike Brey seemingly won a lot of Notre Dame fans over during the 2007-08 season.  After going to the NCAA Tournament in each of his first three seasons, he followed that up with three straight NIT appearances.  But the last two seasons, Brey has led Notre Dame to two NCAA appearances.

Brey was voted Coach of the Year by Big East coaches for 2007-08.  That makes it two in a row as far as Coach of the Year in the Big East.

Expectations for Notre Dame in the upcoming 2008-2009 season are high.  In the past, expectations within the program were much higher than those on the outside.  However, many prognostications for the upcoming season place the Irish in the top five in the nation to start the year.

Notre Dame will get an early head start to living up to expectation for the 2008-2009 season.  They will begin playing basketball in August.  That is because the Irish will be travelling to face—the Irish.

Yes, Notre Dame will be going to "the motherland," Ireland.  They will play six games there.

Enjoy the video and the Irish song, "The Rocky Road to Dublin."