Put the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the NCAA Tournament

Just few weeks ago, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish understood they may be on the outside looking in when it came to their March Madness tournament hopes.

They finished their regular season by winning four in a row, but they needed to do more in solidifying their chances.

They should be in now after achieving a 50-45 victory against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the Big East Tournament.  It's their second win in a row of the tournament, and their season-high sixth in a row.

One can make a case the Irish can win the Big East Tournament at this point. Louisville, Villanova, and Syracuse bowed out after early losses in that tournament.

Marquette played well lately down the stretch. They could be the only team that is in the Notre Dame's way at this point.

After watching this contest, it's hard to pick against them.

The Irish run their offense well, and their defense look good from their two contests against Seton Hall and Pittsburgh.

They look like the hungry team too by going after loose balls and finding ways to outscore the other team.

Notre Dame features a couple of go-to scorers in Tory Jackson and Luke Harangody. Jackson scores as a starter while Harangody scores as a backup.

Notre Dame coach Mike Brey has a good luxury in using Harangody as a backup, and it worked out well for him. This game explained why.

Harangody made free throws along with layups down the stretch in sealing the win. Anytime a coach can have a star player off his bench, it's a good thing.

It also says a lot about the player that he is willing to take that role for the good of the team. Most stars of any level would feel insulted to be that sixth man.

That's why coaches emphasize character as an important ingredient to winning. Harangody's conduct rubs off on others about how no one should be bigger than the team.

Notre Dame's defense played a role in this victory.

When the Irish struggled on offense, their defense kept the team afloat by getting stops when they need to.

The Irish showed a knack to score a key basket. It looked like the Panthers were about to take control of the game, but the Irish scored when it was time to.

It was simply a gritty victory against a team that knows how to win games like that.

After seeing this, how could no one like their chances? It looks like Mike Brey's team is on a magic ride.

When a team does well down the stretch and knows how to survive, it can only help them come tournament time.

This is a team no one wants to face. They're a good bet to win at least two NCAA Tournament games.

There's a good chance they can get to the Elite Eight depending on what bracket they draw.

Either way, they are an interesting team to follow.

Playing in a tough conference can only make a team better. There's a good reason why the Big East teams go further in the tournament.

They know how to handle the grind of a regular season. Every Big East game is tough when one looks at many great teams in the conference.

Bobby Gonzalez made a good point about how the lions in the Big East eat their young. Anyone has to lose. It comes down to who survives.

Notre Dame did just that.

For all the talk Syracuse, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Georgetown, Louisville, Connecticut, and Villanova gets, everyone forgets about Notre Dame every year.

They may not be great, but they should be commended for being in the tourney often.

It's not an easy accomplishment to get there yet they are there.

It's too bad people treat them like a stepchild, but that's what happens when people associate them as a football school.

This basketball program knows how to win, unlike that football program.

Maybe these guys like it that way.

Right now, everything looks good for the Irish to win the Big East Tournament. They are the hottest team of all the Big East teams.

It would be surprising if they didn't get it done.