Several bloggers (including our own Big Willie) have noted on Notre Dame’s ability to snatch defeat from the claws of victory. Today was an exception, however, as they kept West Virginia’s comebacks at bay. It was the Mountaineers turn at Groundhog day as they got to within 5 (exactly!) an astounding four times in the second half. Each time Notre Dame would break the 1-3-1 and put the Irish back up by 7. If UConn wants to figure out how to break down the West Virgina defense, they need only look at the Irish, which put together a textbook attack. If they are able to dissect other defenses with the same precision, Notre Dame will be a force. That seems like a big “if”, though.

West Virginia, on the other hand, looked small and seemed to depend too much on the outside shot. Eight of the Mountaineers’ 14 field goals in the second half were three pointers. They made exactly one free throw. Without a threat of scoring through penetration, the Mountaineers look to be a bit one-dimensional. They had great success in their first three Big East games, but my belief is that you’ll mostly die if you live by the three.

More on the game from the West Virginia perspective.

Categories: Commentary, Notre Dame, West Virginia, donald