Notre Dame-Louisville 5 OT Game Worth a Long Look

February 10, 2013 @ admin → No Comments

Notre Dame’s 104-101 victory Saturday (Feb. 9) over Louisville in South Bend, Ind., was an instant classic. Or, more precisely, not-so-instant. Not when five overtimes are involved. That’s more than an additional half of playing time (OK, 25 minutes to be more precise). Excellent entertainment, especially for anyone looking for an escape from winter’s weather — or looking for a Rick Pitino team to lose.

For those who forgot what the 2012 SI swimsuit issue cover looked like.

* If Jerian Grant ever has a better game than the Irish-Cardinals contest (OK, the final 47 seconds of regulation), it will be quite a performance. Especially considering he had been 0-for-6 from the field before scoring 12 points in the final 47 seconds of the second half.

* Notre Dame coach Mike Brey: “I talked about it being a 15-rounder and taking punches and being put on the mat. At the fourth or fifth timeout I said, ‘Has there ever been a 20-rounder?’ ” The game was the longest in Big East Conference history, if that’s what he was wondering.

* We interrupt this focus on college basketball to bring you the 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover. As you became aware Saturday, Kate Upton is the cover for the second consecutive year. Here she is from her first appearance.

* It’s always interesting to see the response a game such as the ND-Louisville battle produces. Thanks to social media, you can see people argue whether the NBA is better than college basketball. For once, I want to see an NBA employee (such as a broadcaster, for example) argue the college game is better. Guessing that won’t happen because people want to remain NBA employees.

* To argue the NBA has better players than college ball doesn’t really address anything other than talent level. If the NBA didn’t have the best players, then we’d have a story — and some pretty poor personnel decisions.

* The argument about NBA vs. college basketball is not quite an argument of apples vs. oranges. Closer perhaps to a comparison of oranges to tangerines. Similar look, size, etc. But a definite difference. And something that allows a taste for both.

* Speaking of the NBA, as promised, here are more photos of Chicago Luvabulls dancers. A poster of the 2012-13 Luvabulls will be given away at the Chicago Bulls game Monday (Feb. 11) at the United Center to fans 21 and older while supplies last. If things go according to plan (and on occasion they actually do around here), part three of the Luvabulls photos will run Monday. These lovely ladies are listed in alphabetical order. For those who missed it — or who would like to review the first eight Luvabulls featured — part one was part of Saturday’s effort: