[Willie Bee]

Should be a good one tonight for the Maui Championship. They keep saying Hansbrough is a gametime decision; I've got to think he will play a little here and there, but probably no more than 15 minutes total.

In the little blog entry I did on the game, you've got to wonder about Irish legs tonight. Playing their third straight game and this one after a tough battle with Texas that saw the five ND starters all play at least 31 minutes with McAlarney going the full 40. All while UNC was able to use their bench a lot last night in the second half against Oregon.

Ed Davis is a big key for the Tar Heels, likely to spend a lot of the evening with Luke Zeller on him. I think UNC wins, but I'm going to make a small play on Notre Dame +10½, see something like a 79-75 final.

[Kingctb27]

UNC. Athletes all over the court.

[sportsguy04]

Hmmmm spread is 10.5-11. Thats tough to call.

[EaglesPhan36]

This is a no play for me. Will watch two good teams play. I think the UNDER at 167 would be the play I would consider. Sure, this could be a track meet in the 80s. But tired legs, probably means one team might get to the 80s and the other left in the 70s.

[Willie Bee]

Good angle, EP. The 'tired legs factor' was obviously something that I was looking at, and think UNC will be a little fresher than ND. Just can't lay that number on UNC without Hansbrough being at full strength.

[unde0087]

Sorry Willie, Key to the game is McAlarney. He is going to have to set the place on fire if ND is going to keep this close because I will tell you right now Harangody isn't going to be enough. People still aren't giving the Tarheels enough credit, people just dont realize how good this UNC team is. If you think the fatigue is a factor then you can't like ND in this one. ND has only 2 players off the bench that log any minutes so you are asking the starters to run and gun with UNC all game long after playing a marathon game last night against Texas. UNC has basicly 2 starting 5's and they just rotate starters for McDonald All Americans so you are not going to ever wear them down even with all the injuries they have. Tyler will start tonight, I don't know how they would keep him off the floor for this one. If ND thought they had a tough one last night they are in for a treat tonight.

Simply put, UNC is are men among boys this year.

[mtneer1212]

An upper tier Big East team getting double digits? Easy call here..... Irish.

[EaglesPhan36]

I just don't think it's a wise game to bet on a side for this. You got a little bit of knowledge about ND against a better team in Texas, but you have no idea really what UNC does against the first good team it plays. They haven't had to defend anyone yet. This will be a good test.

[TPowell]

Notre Dame is gonna knok off those overrated fags tonight!!!!!!! IRISH ML!!!

[unde0087]

anyone who thinks this team is overrated will get a wakeup call tonight.

[regularguy]

Eagles makes a good point about our lack of knowledge regarding UNC. But I've seen enough of Notre Dame to know that I will take them +10 against any NCAA team.

[MSUSpartan32]

I'd play NDame if anyone, but don't think it's a strong play. Always dangerous to bet against a great offensive team on a poor defensive team, which NDame is. Mike Brey's teams will continue to struggle defensively, which will keep them from getting to where they need to come March, as usual.

[POTVINSUX]

ND will cover. Take the points.

[SportsLockPicks]

not enough D against the best team in the country = dub digi loss

[fuall 2]

go nc lst half -6 -110. They have been strong all year in first half. ND will have a slow start and UNC is fresh.

[unde0087]

Overrated? Looked like another big time route of a supposed #8 ranked team and a supposed good Big East team. Where are the doubters and haters now?