How Does Winthrop Beat You?

After playing a terrible first half, the Irish went into the locker room only 4 points down, you would think some planning would be the discussion. Guess not.

20:00 Start of period (2nd Half)
19:36 WINTHR Torrell Martin made Layup, Assist Phillip Williams
19:18 ND Russell Carter missed 3-pt. Jump Shot
19:13 WINTHR Defensive Rebound by Torrell Martin
19:04 WINTHR Phillip Williams made Hook Shot
18:44 ND Luke Harangody missed Layup
18:33 WINTHR Defensive Rebound by Michael Jenkins
18:32 WINTHR Torrell Martin made 3-pt. Jump Shot
18:30 WINTHR Full Timeout

Okay, a 7-0 Winthrop run in the first 1:30. Thankfully Winthrop called a full time out for Brey to work his magic with the boys. Right? Well, let's just see what happened next. 39-28 Winthrop

18:22 ND Out of bounds turnover on Colin Falls
18:00 ND Personal foul on Zach Hillesland
17:50 WINTHR Phillip Williams missed Jump Shot
17:46 ND Defensive Rebound by Zach Hillesland
17:43 ND Zach Hillesland missed 3-pt. Jump Shot
17:40 WINTHR Defensive Rebound by Craig Bradshaw
17:20 WINTHR Craig Bradshaw made 3-pt. Jump Shot
17:05 ND Russell Carter made Driving Layup
17:05 WINTHR Shooting foul on Torrell Martin
17:05 ND Russell Carter missed Free Throw
17:05 WINTHR Defensive Rebound by Torrell Martin
16:53 WINTHR Torrell Martin made Jump Shot
16:39 ND Tory Jackson missed Jump Shot
16:36 ND Offensive Rebound by Rob Kurz
16:34 ND Rob Kurz missed Layup, Blocked by Chris Gaynor
16:26 WINTHR Defensive Rebound by Michael Jenkins
16:25 WINTHR Torrell Martin made Layup, Assist Michael Jenkins
16:14 ND Rob Kurz made Reverse Layup, Assist Colin Falls
16:01 WINTHR Craig Bradshaw made Layup, Assist Phillip Williams
15:39 ND Russell Carter missed 3-pt. Jump Shot
15:36 WINTHR Defensive Rebound by Torrell Martin
15:24 WINTHR Michael Jenkins missed Jump Shot
15:21 ND Defensive Rebound by Rob Kurz
15:11 ND Tory Jackson missed Layup
15:07 ND Offensive Rebound by Rob Kurz
15:06 ND Rob Kurz made Layup
14:44 WINTHR Craig Bradshaw missed Layup
14:36 WINTHR Offensive Rebound by Craig Bradshaw
14:35 WINTHR Craig Bradshaw made Layup
14:27 ND Zach Hillesland missed Jump Shot
14:23 WINTHR Defensive Rebound by Chris Gaynor
14:09 WINTHR Craig Bradshaw made Mini Hook Shot
14:05 ND Full Timeout 52-34 Winthrop (Got em right where we want em)

What happened was, a sloppy Irish team couldn't hit a shot or a free throw and the Eagles went on a 13-6 run in this 4:30 strech. That's right, Winthrop went on a 20-6 run to start the second half. Too much green beer in the locker room? So now Brey takes a full T.O. and will work his players, right?

Well we evened it up with a 2-2 score in the next 2:00 or so. Thankfully the T.V. timout comes into play. That's the only thing that could slow the Eagles down. 54-36 Winthrop

14:02 ND Offensive foul on Tory Jackson
14:02 ND Offensive Foul turnover on Tory Jackson
14:02 WINTHR Full Timeout
13:47 WINTHR Lost ball turnover on Craig Bradshaw, Stolen by Tory Jackson
13:31 ND Ryan Ayers missed Jump Shot
13:26 WINTHR Defensive Rebound by Craig Bradshaw
13:25 WINTHR Antwon Harris missed Layup
13:24 WINTHR Craig Bradshaw made Layup, Assist Antwon Harris
13:17 ND Shooting foul on Luke Harangody
13:17 WINTHR Craig Bradshaw missed 1st of 2 Free Throws
13:17 ND Loose ball foul on Rob Kurz
13:03 ND Ryan Ayers missed 3-pt. Jump Shot
13:07 WINTHR Defensive Rebound by Craig Bradshaw
12:51 WINTHR Michael Jenkins missed 3-pt. Jump Shot
12:51 WINTHR Offensive Rebound by Taj McCullough
12:36 WINTHR Out of bounds turnover on Taj McCullough
12:35 ND Zach Hillesland made Floating Jump Shot
11:50 WINTHR Lost ball turnover on De'Andre Adams, Stolen by Zach Hillesland
11:50 ND Loose ball foul on Rob Kurz
11:50 TV Timeout

11:41 WINTHR Shooting foul on Taj McCullough
11:41 ND Zach Hillesland missed 1st of 2 Free Throws
11:41 ND Zach Hillesland missed 2nd of 2 Free Throws
11:41 WINTHR Defensive Rebound by Antwon Harris
11:07 WINTHR Lost ball turnover on Phillip Williams, Stolen by Colin Falls
10:56 ND Colin Falls made Layup
10:40 ND Personal foul on Colin Falls
10:37 ND Loose ball foul on Russell Carter
10:35 WINTHR Craig Bradshaw missed Layup
10:29 WINTHR Personal foul on Torrell Martin
10:10 ND Tory Jackson missed Jump Shot
10:05 ND Offensive Rebound by Rob Kurz
10:05 WINTHR Shooting foul on Craig Bradshaw
10:05 ND Rob Kurz made 1st of 2 Free Throws
10:05 ND Rob Kurz made 2nd of 2 Free Throws
10:01 ND Personal foul on Tory Jackson
9:50 WINTHR Torrell Martin missed Jump Shot
9:44 WINTHR Offensive Rebound by Torrell Martin
9:37 WINTHR Torrell Martin missed 3-pt. Jump Shot
9:37 ND Loose ball foul on Colin Falls
9:44 WINTHR Michael Jenkins missed Free Throw
9:44 ND Defensive Rebound by Rob Kurz
9:33 ND Tory Jackson missed Jump Shot, Blocked by Torrell Martin
9:33 WINTHR Defensive Rebound by Michael Jenkins
9:33 WINTHR Full Timeout

Look out. We are on a 6-0 run. Here come the Irish. 52-40 Winthrop

9:30 ND Personal foul on Ryan Ayers
9:30 WINTHR Chris Gaynor missed Free Throw
9:30 ND Defensive Rebound by Rob Kurz
9:21 ND Zach Hillesland made Driving Layup
8:43 WINTHR Michael Jenkins missed 3-pt. Jump Shot
8:40 ND Defensive Rebound by Zach Hillesland
8:38 ND Russell Carter made Driving Layup
8:27 ND Loose ball foul on Tory Jackson
8:20 WINTHR Chris Gaynor missed Free Throw
7:49 WINTHR Michael Jenkins missed 3-pt. Jump Shot
7:49 TV Timeout

4-0 run. 52-44. we are in striking range with plenty of time left. What does Brey do next? Hmmmm.

7:25 ND Tory Jackson made 3-pt. Jump Shot
7:11 ND Shooting foul on Rob Kurz
7:11 WINTHR Michael Jenkins missed 1st of 2 Free Throws
7:11 WINTHR Michael Jenkins made 2nd of 2 Free Throws
6:48 ND Colin Falls made Leaning Jump Shot
6:35 ND Shooting foul on Luke Zeller
6:35 WINTHR De'Andre Adams missed 1st of 2 Free Throws
6:35 WINTHR De'Andre Adams made 2nd of 2 Free Throws
6:20 ND Colin Falls made 3-pt. Jump Shot, Assist Tory Jackson
6:19 ND Personal foul on Russell Carter
6:19 WINTHR Torrell Martin missed 1st of 2 Free Throws
6:19 WINTHR Torrell Martin made 2nd of 2 Free Throws
6:07 ND Rob Kurz made Reverse Layup, Assist Colin Falls
5:56 WINTHR Torrell Martin missed Jump Shot, Blocked by Rob Kurz
5:48 WINTHR Offensive Rebound by De'Andre Adams
5:38 WINTHR Craig Bradshaw missed 3-pt. Jump Shot
5:34 WINTHR Defensive Rebound by Taj McCullough
5:19 WINTHR Torrell Martin missed Turnaround Jump Shot
5:15 ND Defensive Rebound by Rob Kurz
5:09 ND Tory Jackson missed Jump Shot
5:09 ND Colin Falls missed 3-pt. Jump Shot
5:09 ND Offensive Rebound by Ryan Ayers
5:09 ND Ryan Ayers made Layup
5:03 WINTHR Taj McCullough made Slam Dunk, Assist Craig Bradshaw
4:46 WINTHR Personal foul on Chris Gaynor
4:46 ND Colin Falls missed Free Throw
4:46 ND Offensive Rebound by Tory Jackson
4:41 ND Russell Carter made Driving Layup
4:19 WINTHR Craig Bradshaw made Layup, Assist Chris Gaynor
4:19 ND Shooting foul on Rob Kurz
4:19 WINTHR Full Timeout

We are on fire 14-7 run and now are within 3, three, 3 points. The crowd is getting into the game as are the Irish.

4:04 WINTHR Craig Bradshaw made Free Throw
3:41 ND Luke Harangody missed Layup
3:35 WINTHR Defensive Rebound by Craig Bradshaw
3:26 WINTHR Craig Bradshaw missed Layup
3:23 ND Defensive Rebound by Tory Jackson
3:18 ND Tory Jackson made 3-pt. Jump Shot
2:53 WINTHR Torrell Martin missed Jump Shot
2:49 ND Defensive Rebound by Luke Harangody
2:33 ND Luke Harangody made Hook Shot
2:33 WINTHR Shooting foul on Michael Jenkins
2:33 ND Luke Harangody missed Free Throw
2:33 WINTHR Defensive Rebound by Taj McCullough
2:24 WINTHR Craig Bradshaw made Layup, Assist Michael Jenkins
1:59 ND Colin Falls missed 3-pt. Jump Shot
1:55 ND Offensive Rebound by Russell Carter
1:54 ND Russell Carter missed Jump Shot
1:51 WINTHR Defensive Rebound by Craig Bradshaw
1:38 WINTHR Chris Gaynor made 3-pt. Jump Shot, Assist Michael Jenkins
1:26 WINTHR Shooting foul on Chris Gaynor
1:15 ND Tory Jackson missed 1st of 2 Free Throws
1:15 ND Tory Jackson made 2nd of 2 Free Throws
1:05 ND Shooting foul on Tory Jackson
1:05 WINTHR Torrell Martin missed 1st of 2 Free Throws
1:05 WINTHR Torrell Martin made 2nd of 2 Free Throws
44.0 ND Russell Carter missed Jump Shot
39.0 WINTHR Defensive Rebound by Chris Gaynor
36.0 WINTHR Craig Bradshaw made Slam Dunk, Assist Chris Gaynor
29.0 ND Tory Jackson missed 3-pt. Jump Shot
25.0 WINTHR Defensive Rebound by Michael Jenkins
25.0 ND Personal foul on Colin Falls
25.0 WINTHR Michael Jenkins made 1st of 2 Free Throws
25.0 ND Full Timeout

Then the Eagles soared again, scoring eight of the next 10 points. Bradshaw's shot inside and Chris Gaynor's 3-pointer put the Eagles up 67-63 with 1:30 to go.

After Irish freshman point guard Tory Jackson made one of two free throws, Michael Jenkins pushed the ball to Bradshaw for a sprinting dunk and one of his 11 assists. That gave the Eagles a 70-64 lead with 35 seconds left and essentially ended Notre Dame's season.

Pressing a team that is more athletic and is beating your so-called press with 3 passes, is NOT a good idea. Relying on the 3-point shot is a good idea, If you can hit the 3-point shot. And how about a couple of FREE throws to boot.

TEAM STATS
ND
Points 64
Field Goals 28-67, 41%
Free Throws 4-13, 30%
3-pointers 4-22, 18%
Off. Rebounds 8
Def. Rebounds 24
Total Rebounds 32
Assists 10
Blocks 2
Fouls 24
Steals 10
Turnovers 13

Team Stats
Winthrop
Points 74
Field Goals 28-62, 45%
Free Throws 10-19, 52%
3-pointers 8-21, 38%
Off. Rebounds 7
Def. Rebounds 33
Total Rebounds 40
Assists 24
Blocks 6
Fouls 13
Steals 5
Turnovers 13

And that's how you lose to the Winthrop Eagles. by the way. Winthrop got pummelled by Oregon in the second round.

IRT Fire It Up Video...

VIDEO

Thank you to Irish Round Table....Again.

It's Game Day......

Keeping the Mood Light -- (SBT)

Not Chasing Mason -- (CO)

Winthrop? -- (OCDomer)

Falls draining a 3 Video

Wary of Winthrop -- (CST)

3-16 or 3:16. Hmmmm...

The Irish are playing on FRIDAY 3-16-07 against the Eagles of Winthrop. Are Eagles considered meat?

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

The opinions of Irish Universe are not reflected in the material posted at all times....

Is This Live, Or is it Memorex?

Let's hope this is the scene in a couple of weeks. Today let's worry about the Winthrop Eagles and the first round of the NCAA's.

Thank You Irish Round Table for the Find.

I Am Sick and Tired.....

about the Winthrop Eagles getting pumped up by the press. The press needs a Cinderella and they have chosen the Eagles this season. Last years Cinderella, George Mason was a surprise to everyone and the media doesn't want to be left out this tournament. A win by Notre Dame is supposed to happen. If Winthrop drops the Irish, they can say, "I Told You So".

ND has a big advantage over Winthrop just by scheduling alone. I predict an early demise of the Eagles by the Irish.

Check out the odds of your team winning the whole thing here. Bracket Odds .

I open my Sports Illustrated and what do I see at the Center fold?

Nice jinx SI or was it the Cover of all 128 teams in the womens and mens Tourney? Where is your team? Winthrop, Center Stage, just above the second round opponent of the Irish. Duck anyone?

Letter to Selection Committee...

Irish Round Table has a letter to the Selection Committee that we can all Appreciate.

IRT

Tory, this doesn't look like South Bend anymore..

Similiar -- (FWJG)

Welcome to Spokane -- (SBT)

Arrival Video -- (KXLY)

Irish Hardened -- (BeGaz)

3.14.07

Early Returns -- (BGS)

Not This Hard -- (SBT)

Weighing in on Winthrop -- (SBT)

No Surprise -- (CST)

Road to Spokane -- (Blog from the Winthrop Side)

Midwest Region Preview -- (AA)

Cinderella Story....If the slipper fits...Crush it

It has been difficult to find someone who doesn't think that the Winthrop Eagles will beat Notre Dame in the first round of the Tournament. Yahooo sports writer Brad Evans has a good article about the possible Cinderella story of the 2007 Tournament. And it won't be Winthrop.

Team------------------W/L--Seed----Region----- RPI--- SOS
Winthrop Eagles--- 24-4 11------Midwest---- 70-- 270

Starting Five: G-Michael Jenkins (15.3 PPG), G-Torrell Martin (14.3 PPG), G-Chris Gaynor (4.7:1.4 AST:TO), F-Phillip Williams (52.6 FG%), C-Craig Bradshaw (13.3 PPG)
Key Wins: at Mississippi St. (11), at Old Dominion (6), at Missouri St. (11)
Key Losses: North Carolina (7), at Maryland (11), at Wisconsin (3), at Texas A&M (20)
Why the slipper fits: Unequivocally, Winthrop is the Secretariat of dark horses. One of two teams nationally to go undefeated in conference play, the Eagles rolled through the Big South winning by an average margin of 14.4 PPG, seventh-best in DI. Winthrop is an experienced, close-knit club that starts five stalwart upperclassman who've limited opponents to a dismal 60.9 PPG this year. Led by three-point drainer Michael Jenkins (3.1 threes made per-game), their difficult non-conference schedule, window cleaning interior – they rank eighth nationally in offensive rebound percentage – and defensive prowess could make them this year's underdog darling. However, matched against an Irish team with a NASCAR offense, they'll have to control the tempo and clamp Collin Falls and Russell Carter on the perimeter to be the team everyone's tabbing as the "next George Mason."
Prediction: First Round loss to Notre Dame, 67-63

IU Commentary:

Of course I agree whole heartedly with Mr. Evans. My problem with the likes of Winthrop is this. There claim to fame is losing to 4 nationally ranked opponents. There last game against any team ranked was back on January 2nd against Texas A&M. There other claim to fame is going undefeated in conference. Tough to do, but not all that exciting. The Irish need to pound on the Eagles early and often and crush their hopes. Falls and Carter need to hit their threes and Harangody needs to control the middle. Don't take the Eagles lightly and the Cinderella story will need to find another Pumpkin.

Since the loss to Texas A&M, the Eagles had 11 games: Teams with final records below

1. VMI, 14-19


2. Charleston Southern (twice) 8-22


3. Liberty (twice) 14-17


4. UNC Asheville 12-19


5. Radford 8-22


6. Missouri State 22-10


7. High Point 22-10


8. Coastal Carolina (twice) 15-15

That is a record of 115-134. Explain to me how this prepares a team to play a Notre Dame squad that was a solid 4th in the Big East and there last game was against the #2 seed Georgetown Hoyas.

The Irish are once again not getting any respect and Brey will have a lot of bulletin board material to hang up.

Irish by 14.

The Ultimate Road Game...

For those of you who don't know what or where Winthrop is:
Location: Rock Hill, S.C.
Enrollment: 6,600
Conference: Big South
Nickname: Eagles
Colors: Garnet & Gold
Head Coach: Gregg Marshall
Record at WU: 167-78
Last Year: 23-8 (13-3, 1st)

Winthrop has played well all year and even early on the experts were saying very good things about them. They were very excited to get into the Tourney, but feel slighted with an 11 seed.

A lot of the talking heads have Winthrop as their Politically Correct Pick for this tournament. As Irish fans we know that the Bias against Notre Dame exists, but we are still shocked when the picks come out and ND is in Spokane. How does ND get a 6 seed in the Midwest regional and get sent to Spokane, Washington, and Louisville get a 6 seed to and get Lexington. Yes the same Lexington that is in Kentucky. The tournament committee has done its part in trying to keep fans away from the game. Will you be making the Trek?

From Notre Dame Indiana to Spokane:

Total Est. Driving Time: 27 hours, 26 minutes
Total Est. Distance: 1914.91 miles

The Winthrop team are no slouches, but does having a season with 4 "Good" losses make a tourney team. Doesn't that sound familiar? Remember ND football.

ND will need to come out playing well and bury the Eagles early. Letting any team during March Madness stick around is never a good idea and giving Winthrop added confidence may bury the Irish. The Irish are 12 points better than Winthrop, but which Irish team will show up. This is by the way, The Ultimate Road Game.

Compare the seeds at The Bracket Project

We-R-#6, We-R-#6

Unemotional -- (FWJF)

No Slouches -- (CBS)

Mental Challenge -- (SBT)

Staying Cool -- (SBT)

Video from Spokane -- (KHQ)

Basketball News 3.4

Fifth Straight Win -- (CST)

The Clincher -- (NYT)

Rutgers equals five -- (SBT)