March Madness
Ian Scott
February 17, 2000

   With 5 games left and March Madness getting closer with each passing day,
Notre Dame finds themselves in a position to control their own fate.  As of
Feb. 16th,  both CBS and ESPN are projecting the Irish to make the tournament
as a #9 seed and a #12 seed respectively.  This means that as long as Notre
Dame does not blow it during these last five games, they're going to the
dance. 

    The remaining five games are not exactly against the conference doormats,
but for some reason Doherty's squad seems to step up against the better
teams.  Games against Seton Hall, Miami, Syracuse, Providence and Georgetown
still stand in the way of the post-season. If they can go 4-1 or even win
out, they will be in with no question and most likely favored to win their
first round game.  However, a 3-2 record during this stretch of games should still
get Notre Dame in.  Georgetown and Providence should be wins, but we all saw
what they did against Pittsburgh.  Syracuse and Seton Hall will be tough
wins to get, but again, look at what the Irish did against UCONN twice, Ohio State,
and St. Johns.  The game against Miami may be the deciding factor.  Notre Dame
was flat when they played the 'Canes earlier in the year, but one would hope they
would not be flat this time of year!

    If for some reason Notre Dame does not get those three wins, they will be
looking for a run to the Big East conference finals to get in.  This is a
task that they probably are not ready to accomplish this year.  Hopefully we
won't have to worry about that scenario though.  The fun starts Saturday
night on ESPN vs. Seton Hall.  Then two more games and of course the Big EAST
Tournament will be on national television, so Irish fans can watch this
stretch run as it unfolds.  It should be exciting!