In the end, yes, it was a 20 point loss on the road against a big conference team with an All-American in the front court. But if you were watching the game at Legends (or you read this blog) you see what is brewing under the surface for this young 49er squad.
Click here for the Box Score and we’ll see you at Legends again on Saturday morning at 11am for the game against Wisconsin-Green Bay. Long Beach played WGB last year, CLICK HERE to watch the highlight video.
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We’re coming to you LIVE from Legends on Second St. where we’ve got a limited feed of the game in South Bend! (scroll down to the bottom for most recent update)
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Just a few minutes from tip and Long Beach is a 15pt underdog in this one. It’s the first big name opponent for a team with a lot of those on the pre-conference schedule, but if the 49ers can stay close (or even win) they could be talking about the mighty Big West on ESPN, led by CSUF and LBSU. Andrew Veis says that if Long Beach can pull this off, Notre Dame is for sure going to fire Charlie Weis.
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In the road blacks, let’s tip this one off!
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Phelps misses a lay up. Is this still the Pepperdine game? 0-0
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T.J. and Phelps are working well down low, but the Irish are .500 from behind the arc. 8-4 ND
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Timeout: 10-6 ND
Good energy on the floor and Larry hit his first jumper, both very good signs. This limited feed is like an internet TV feed so there are no commercials. That means we have to watch the Irish Cheer team every ten minutes. Good or Bad thing. I’m Irish, but all mascots freak me out, especially Shamus O’Mally or whatever his name is.
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More good outside shooting from the Irish, but an outlet to Larry for an and-one makes it 13-11 ND
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Timeout
Two lay-ups from Larry and a step-back three for his eleventh point makes it 21-20 Long Beach. Yes, you read that right. Even though Notre Dame is hot from behind the arc (3-for-7) and has no problem breaking the Monson press, only two Long Beach turnovers to Notre Dame’s six is the difference.
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Timeout: 26-24 ND
B Hansbrough goes down hard on his butt after flying in for a rebound. He looks like he’s okay.
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We are going back and forth in this one. Another Larry three pointer and a Phelps put back makes it 29-28 LB
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L Harangody goes up and under for another layup, but back-to-back jumpers from Casper
and Plater make it 33-31 LB
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Timeout: 36-35 ND
More good ball movement and outside shooting (4-for-9) keys a mini run for the Irish. :41 seconds left in the half
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Two free throws for the Irish. T.J. gets the rebound off the miss, but steps out of bounds. 37-35 ND with :04 seconds left in the half
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HALFTIME 37-35 Notre Dame
Long Beach St.
Anderson: 7-for-10, 16pts
Plater: 3-for-8 from 3, 8pts
Phelps: 11 reb, 5 offensive
Notre Dame
Harangody: 6-for-13, 12pts, 4 reb
Hansbrough: 1 assist
Jackson: 3-for-7, 8pts
Great half for the 49ers. Larry is being aggressive, Phelps is not fouling and has been a monster on the boards, and GP3 came off the bench ready to shoot.
The big question is: If the Irish start to double or roll to Larry’s side, how do the 49ers adjust?
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Comments from the peanut gallery–
MIKE: The difference in rebounding mentality is almost staggering. Phelps is being aggressive without being sloppy, and having a really impressive half. ELEVEN REBOUNDS. They couldn’t grab a board against Pepperdine to save their lives, and now on the road against Notre Dame and an All-American, the fire is coming out–love it. Gotta keep that up if they want the second half to go to their liking.
TUCKER: Two points at halftime? I think we all would have taken that before the game. They have done a nice job of containing Harangody inside and the Fighting Irish really look like a two-man team. The first 5 minutes will be huge. If they can keep it close and weather the storm, Notre Dame could get nervous with the realization they have a dog fight on their hands.
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I don’t know what this means, but Notre Dame has to call a timeout five seconds into the half because Long Beach comes out with an aggressive half-court trap. I’ll take it as a good sign. Agree?
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Okay, maybe not such a good sign. Hansbrough spin move in the lane, a Phelps turnover in the paint, and a Harangody layup. 41-35 ND
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You knew with Irish run was coming. Another 49er turnover leads to a fast break and a slam. Timeout 47-37 Irish
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50-39 Irish Mike thinks they are coming off Phelps to help on Larry (0-for-2 in 2nd half, 1 turnover), but I think it’s just good defense. Defense the Irish didn’t play in the first half.
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Larry looks for T.J. on the baseline and Robinson makes a pretty drop step for the lay up. After a missed three for the Irish, GP3 come back down and drains a three from the top of the key. 54-46 ND
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The Irish had their run, and now they’re letting the ‘Niners hang around, but Larry, Phelps and GP3 just can’t seem to put the biscuit in the basket. 58-46 ND
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The full-court press gets two turnovers, but produces no points for the ‘Niners. 60-50 ND
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Timeout on the floor
More turnovers with the press, and this time T.J. gets it down low (13pts) 62-54 ND
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More good work down low from T.J. and he throws down a dunk to make it an eight point game, but on the other end Harangody gets an and-one lay up. Almost immidiatly, the Irish feel the shift and after a turnover they get out on the run for a breakaway lay up. That’s a 7-1 run in 1:22. 71-56 ND
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More Harangody, and then more Harangody. He’s got 27pts. 73-57 Irish 3:16 remaining
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FINAL
Notre Dame 82, Long Beach St. 62
Don’t just look at the final score, this one was an interesting story about a young team with big eyes.
Long Beach St.
Anderson: 9-for-15 20pts
Phelps: 18 rebounds, 10 offensive
Plater: 3-for-10 3pts, 11pts
Robinson: 7-for-10 16pts, 6 rebounds
Notre Dame
Harangody: 13-for-23 29pts, 12 rebounds
Hansbrough: 11pts, 7 assists