Top 10 Must-See Fighting Irish Basketball Games

Unfinished business after last season's second-round ousting by Washington State in the NCAA Tournament has been the motivating force for the 2008-09 Fighting Irish Basketball season. A 25-8 record and a top-20 finish in the polls, as well as, a strong returning nucleus sets up high expectations and a No. 9 preseason ranking.

Notre Dame returns one of the best inside-outside duos of college basketball in Luke Harangody and Kyle McAlarney. The Big East Player of the Year, Harangody averaged 20.4 points and 10.6 rebounds a night, while McAlarney's deadly range from beyond the three-point arc (44.1 percent) was near tops in Division I. On the year, he averaged 15.1 points and nearly four assists a night.

Backcourt mate Tory Jackson (8.0 pts., 5.1 rebs., 5.8 asts.), swingman Ryan Ayers (7.8 pts, 45.1% 3pt. FG), and bruiser Zach Hillesland (6.1 pts, 5.2 rebs), round out the projected starting lineup for the Irish.

So with all these accolades comes the added pressure to perform. The Irish now have to deal with being the hunted, instead of the hunter. Now entering in his ninth season, head coach Mike Brey will be facing his most difficult schedule of non-conference and Big East games. Notre Dame will have plenty of frequent-flyer miles as they will play on both coasts, as well as, Hawaii.

Below are the IBB's Top 10 Must-See Games for the 2008-09 Season:

10.  ND vs. Indiana (Nov. 24)

The intrastate rivalry continues in Hawaii during the opening round of the Maui Invitational. With a new coach (Tom Crean) and only one scholarship player from last year's squad, the Hoosiers should not put up too much of a fight against the Irish. Look for both Harangody and Hillesland to dominate the inside.

9. ND vs. Ohio State (Dec. 6)

The first ever basketball contest at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis will be the backdrop to an instant classic between two teams that have plenty of talent and contrasting styles. Some might say that the Irish's last victory over the Buckeyes in 1999 was the kickstart in the revival of Notre Dame Basketball. This time around it will be proof of the Irish's existence as one of the elite teams in 2009.

8. ND @ Pittsburgh (Jan. 31)

The halfway point of the Big East portion of the Irish schedule should provide plenty of action between Notre Dame and Pittsburgh. Brey's boys snapped a five game skid last season to the Panthers and kept their Joyce Center winning streak in tact. Look for Pittsburgh to have another difficult time stopping Harangody (23 pts and 12 rebs.) in a back-and-forth affair.

7. ND vs. Texas/St.Joe's (Nov. 25)

Depending on the outcomes, a Notre Dame-Texas matchup will make for another star-studded performance. Both squads like to push the tempo in a fast paced game, which should tilt in the favor for the Irish. The key to this game will be the backcourt play, and Notre Dame has one of the best in McAlarney and Jackson. Look for these two to have big games on both ends of the court.

6. ND @ Louisville (Jan. 12)

A big Monday showdown in Freedom Hall could have first place implications and a leg up in the Big East on the line. Notre Dame almost pulled off an amazing comeback last season in their only meeting behind Harangody's career high 40 points and 12 rebounds, but fell short 90-85. Don't blink or you might miss something amazing. Home court and a deep bench might be too much for the Irish to overcome in this one.

5. ND @ Connecticut (Feb. 28)

The return matchup at Storrs in front of a national audience (CBS) will be witness to another knockdown, 12 round fight between the Irish and the Huskies. It will be the battle of the big men as Harangody and UConn's Hasheem Thabeet lock horns for the fourth time. The winner will have the inside track on the conference standings and Player of the Year honors.

4. ND vs. Louisville (Feb. 12)

Depending on their outcome on Jan. 24, Notre Dame could be defending their Joyce Center winning streak against the Cardinals. The crowd will be electric on a cold and blistery Thursday night in South Bend. Snowflakes and 3-pointers will be coming down in buckets as Kyle McAlarney and Ryan Ayers will have big nights for the Irish.

3. ND @ UCLA (Feb. 7)

A late season non-conference clash featuring two preseason Top 10 teams will have a major impact on the march towards March. The Irish will look to have the same magic when they faced Bruins the last time in Westwood. The X-factor will be the play of Mr. Everything Zach Hillesland. If he can produce on both ends, the Irish will bolster their NCAA resume.

2. ND vs. Connecticut (Jan. 24)

Not only will ESPN's college GameDay crew be on campus all day Saturday, but the Irish's first true test of defending the nation's second longest home court winning streak will be on the line. UConn's Hasheem Thabeet already threw down the gauntlet saying that Luke Harangody was soft. Well if averaging a double-double of 23 points and 13 rebounds against Thabeet is considered soft, then Hasheem will be in for a real beat down then. Be careful what you wish for Connecticut, because Here Come the IRISH!

1. ND vs. North Carolina/Oregon/Alabama (Nov. 26)

If things go according to plan, the Maui Invitational will have the Irish facing preseason #1 North Carolina for the championship game. This game will feature the two best big men in college basketball in Harangody and Tyler Hansbrough. Notre Dame will have a leg up on the scouting report on Hansbrough, as the the Irish have Tyler's younger brother, Ben on their sidelines. A third game in as many days and facing a formidable opponent in the Tar Heels could be too much for the Irish to handle. This game will be the true indicator of whether or not Notre Dame will be a contender or pretender for the 2009 season.

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