Sports

Notre Dame faces a long history of NCAA missteps

Notre Dame begins play Thursday in New York with a realistic shot at advancing to, and winning, the program's first-ever Big East tournament title. But the Irish, who are ranked No. 4 nationally, have their eyes on another tournament in which they will likely receive a top-two seed.

Farmer: Unexpected rise could be prelude (Mar. 10)

Three years ago, Ben Hansbrough was toiling away unhappily at Mississippi State.

Men's Tennis: Doubles teams lead Notre Dame to victory

Solid play from the doubles teams led the No. 24 Irish to defeat the No. 4 Illini at the Eck Tennis Pavilion Tuesday.

SMC Golf: Belles anticipate spring season

After practicing their fundamentals on indoor turf all winter long, the Belles are eager to begin the season outdoors as they head into the George Fox Invitational.

Third strike

HARTFORD, Conn. — The third time was not the charm for the No. 7 Irish Tuesday as they dropped the Big East championship game to No. 1 Connecticut 73-64 in front of more than 10,000 fans at the XL Center in Hartford, Conn.

ND Women's Lacrosse: Irish return from break to take on Ohio State

The last time the No. 13 Irish took the field, it was Feb. 27 and there was still snow on the ground. Thursday, a fresh Notre Dame squad will take on regional rival Ohio State in their first game in nine days.

Men's Lacrosse: Irish look to extend win streak

Although the No. 3 Irish had some fans on the edge of their seats due to their defensive miscommunication last weekend, they remain confident in their ability to work together and adjust to any challenges that obstruct their vision of a national title.

Men's Golf: No. 26 Notre Dame kicks off season against Yale

After a fun and competitive weekend at the Alumni Matches in Scottsdale, Ariz., the Irish will open their intercollegiate spring season in Greensboro, Ga., Monday on the Great Waters Course at Reynolds Plantation against Yale University. The No. 26 Irish head south into the matchup with the unranked Bulldogs with high expectations.

ND Women's Tennis: Notre Dame faces tough matchups with renewed focus

While some students may be heading to warmer climates to soak up the sun during spring break, the No. 14 Irish will be heading to Tampa, Fla., for work, not play. It will be no easy vacation as Notre Dame (8-5) will face South Florida, No. 3 Duke, and No. 18 Tennessee over three days.

Track and Field: Distance relay team to compete at Nationals

Although the No. 3 Irish had some fans on the edge of their seats due to their defensive miscommunication last weekend, they remain confident in their ability to work together and adjust to any challenges that obstruct their vision of a national title.

Men's Basketball: Irish earn top honors for Big East

No. 4 Notre Dame earned some recognition from the most competitive conference in the country Tuesday when it picked up three major awards at the Big East's annual awards ceremony at Madison Square Garden.

Women's Lacrosse: Newall uses experience from across the pond to excel

Unlike the rest of her classmates on the lacrosse team, junior Kate Newall took quite a while to decide to play for Notre Dame. Her decision hinged more on geography than anything else.

SMC Tennis: Belles win second in succession

Fresh off their first win of the season at John Carroll last week, the Belles opened their home MIAA schedule with an 8-1 win over St. Mary's (Minn.).

Hockey: Johns brings physicality

Throughout the 2010-11 season and a run to a second-place finish in the CCHA, the message to opposing forwards from the Notre Dame blue line has been clear: Stephen Johns is going to hit you, and he's going to hit you hard.

Club Sports: Men's volleyball gains national ranking

Men's Diving: Senior Geary's leadership shines outside of pool

Many important victories in sports today end with a trip to Disney World, but senior diver Nathan Geary's fantastic career as a student-athlete began with a trip to the Magic Kingdom.

Slaying the demons

HARTFORD, Conn. — Irish senior Becca Bruszewski fouled out on Feb. 28 with under six minutes to play against DePaul, and freshman Natalie Achonwa stepped in against an imposing Blue Demon frontcourt in junior Keisha Hampton and senior Felicia Chester. The two set the tone down the stretch and knocked off Notre Dame, 70-69.

Men's Tennis: Irish look for revenge against No. 4 Illinois

For No. 24 Notre Dame, tonight's match against No. 4 Illinois provides a critical opportunity to show that it can finish the job against some of the nation's top talent.

Fencing: Irish earn 15 medals at home

The No. 1 Irish men's and women's fencing teams won a total 15 medals at the Midwest Fencing Conference Championships this weekend.

Track and Field: Five records set at Alex Wilson Invitational

The Irish excelled at the Alex Wilson Invitational over the weekend as five records were rewritten at the Loftus Sports Center in two days of competition.