Header photo by Getty Images / Gregory Shamus
Notre Dame's upset 12 top-ranked teams and halted six unbeaten streaks of at least 20 games in its basketball history.
— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) March 28, 2015
#goacc RT @ArmstrongABC11: Brey stumbles off the bus – that can't be a good omen.
— Lauren Brownlow (@lebrownlow) March 28, 2015
UK has arrived. https://t.co/YHuKiaRXhe
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) March 28, 2015
Don’t think Kentucky-Notre Dame will be all that close, but we’ll see.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) March 29, 2015
Bout that time. pic.twitter.com/mbLJgsOeIS
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) March 29, 2015
“Kentucky is 22-0 when they hold their opponents to 55 points or less”. Thanks for that stat, y’all. Useful.
— Ben Swain (@TheBenSwain) March 29, 2015
John Calipari is 21-3 in the NCAA Tournament as Kentucky's head coach. That's crazy.
— Courtney Asher Smith (@CourtneyHoops90) March 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/lukewinn/status/581981893605736448
That'll do for a start. Towns lob to Lyles for a big slam. They're off.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) March 29, 2015
Kentucky opens up the game with an alley-oop #marchmadness https://t.co/UtkI9Vc10M
— The Comeback NCAA (@TheComebackNCAA) March 29, 2015
Cauley-Stein is going to guard Connaughton.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) March 29, 2015
Two possessions, two turnovers for ND
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) March 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/TomFornelli/status/581982495635275776
Notre Dame just forced Kentucky into a shot-clock violation. #wut
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) March 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/MattSBN/status/581983015443775488
Auguste has to know that he can't get into foul trouble — he has to force UK to make shots against him this early in the show.
— The Comeback NCAA (@TheComebackNCAA) March 29, 2015
Both teams a little edgy to start. It is the Elite Eight, after all.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) March 29, 2015
Kentucky challenging absolutely everything. Two blocks, three turnovers forced. But down 4-3 at timeout, 15:53 first. Cats' O out of sorts.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) March 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/akulawolf/status/581983336035430400
https://twitter.com/fakegimel/status/581983505963450368
There is not a single Notre Dame player in the lane on offense. Spreading Kentucky out as much as possible and Princeton-ing it.
— Brian Hamilton (@_Brian_Hamilton) March 29, 2015
Devin Booker found his jump shot!
— Busting Brackets (@BustingBrackets) March 29, 2015
Couple of easy shots in a row for ND at the basket. Good start
— Ed Isaacson (@Ed_HunterAM) March 29, 2015
Literally the only thing Marcus Lee does is dunk in huge games.
— Mark Ennis (@MarkEnnis) March 29, 2015
Pat Connaughton hit that three-pointer, and John Calipari just about exploded.
— Brian Hamilton (@_Brian_Hamilton) March 29, 2015
After Connaughton got a switch to Harrison and promptly hit a 3, John Calipari punched the air so hard he did a 180-degree spin.
— Eamonn Brennan (@eamonnbrennan) March 29, 2015
Webber just said UK isn't used to switching on the pick and roll. They've switched on every pick and roll this season.
— Mark Ennis (@MarkEnnis) March 29, 2015
Well, Notre Dame, that's asking for a beatdown.
Towns misses an easy shot, but then you give away a possession AND points.
— The Comeback NCAA (@TheComebackNCAA) March 29, 2015
Notre Dame: Five field goals, five turnovers. Not an acceptable ratio. Kentucky up 12-11 at 11:48 mark.
— Brian Hamilton (@_Brian_Hamilton) March 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/lukewinn/status/581985940438159360
.@KingJames pic.twitter.com/zkzsV3tasO
— Michael Shamburger (@mshamburger1) March 29, 2015
Notre Dame is putting that Princeton on the Cats
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) March 29, 2015
Can't believe Notre Dame is getting to the rack as easily as they are
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) March 29, 2015
That was huge for UK. Towns was just getting nothing inside. Getting doubled. Finally finished one, and the foul.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) March 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/TomFornelli/status/581987062175412224
Omg that rebound
— Lauren Brownlow (@lebrownlow) March 29, 2015
5 ties.
8 lead changes.
Buckle up.#NDvsUK— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 29, 2015
Notre Dame figured it had no chance attacking the rim against Kentucky’s size…so it’s taking the size as far away from the rim as possible.
— Brian Hamilton (@_Brian_Hamilton) March 29, 2015
Towns had 1 points, 2 rebounds last game. Already tonight: 6 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block. Better.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) March 29, 2015
Zach Auguste came to play
— Ed Isaacson (@Ed_HunterAM) March 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/insidethehall/status/581988730258460672
That 2nd foul on Auguste was… interesting.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) March 29, 2015
Breaking: College basketball officiating is very bad.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) March 29, 2015
Infamous wait to see if the shot went down whistle.
— Tar Heel Blog (@tarheelblog) March 29, 2015
Big foul there on Auguste, his second. Biggest call of the game so far. Whistle came after Notre Dame had rebounded the miss.
— Eric Crawford (@ericcrawford) March 29, 2015
Zach Auguste rocks the rim #MarchMadness https://t.co/oRPypLP3yr
— The Comeback NCAA (@TheComebackNCAA) March 29, 2015
Notre Dame is currently 9-of-17 from the field. With Auguste on the bench, the Fighting Irish needs someone else to step up.
— Courtney Asher Smith (@CourtneyHoops90) March 29, 2015
Though Calipari might be bringing Dakari in for a guard, to brutally pound this tiny ND lineup. But he's gone (relatively) smaller here.
— Eamonn Brennan (@eamonnbrennan) March 29, 2015
Big fist-pump from Mike Brey on that and-1 by Grant.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) March 29, 2015
And now two fouls on Towns
— Nancy Armour (@nrarmour) March 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/TN_Hoops/status/581990678659383297
https://twitter.com/AndyGlockner/status/581990739594211328
Lyles having a rough night. Three turnovers already. Notre Dame up four after Grant three bounces up and in. Irish believe.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) March 29, 2015
Connaughton now with seven rebounds.
— Eric Crawford (@ericcrawford) March 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/normmacdonald/status/581990889452630017
Notre Dame with a 46% O Reb rate, didn't see that happening http://t.co/mDahSECCXo
— Jon Pence (@scacchoops) March 29, 2015
That most of America is rooting for Notre Dame = another example of how college basketball and CFB share little in common.
— Paul Myerberg (@PaulMyerberg) March 29, 2015
what if kentucky has to go home and explain to everyone that they lost to the team that looks like baby food
— Jon Bois (@jon_bois) March 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/fakegimel/status/581991097284616192
Fairly stunning that Kentucky cannot score inside on the tiniest lineup they might've faced this year.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) March 29, 2015
Kentucky has one FG in last 5-plus minutes. Can't do much inside, even with size advantage
— Nancy Armour (@nrarmour) March 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/BPredict/status/581991349341274112
Cats not shooting well, but more importantly, not passing well. Freshman playing a little nervous.
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) March 29, 2015
Lyles and Towns. Notre Dame has no answer.
— Eric Crawford (@ericcrawford) March 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/smartfootball/status/581992355617730561
For all that, Kentucky’s back ahead.
— Brian Hamilton (@_Brian_Hamilton) March 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/MattSBN/status/581992598073712640
Andrew Harrison offensive rebound, found himself surrounded. Safe move: dish it to Cauley-Stein steaming down the lane. Dunk, UK lead.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) March 29, 2015
Oh, Bonzi Colson. That was a timely steal.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) March 29, 2015
BONZIE!!!!!!!
— Ed Isaacson (@Ed_HunterAM) March 29, 2015
Lyles with a tip-in bucket at the buzzer. HALFTIME: Kentucky 31, Notre Dame 31. Fun.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) March 29, 2015
Notre Dame and Kentucky, tied 31-31. What a half. They should do that again.
— Brian Hamilton (@_Brian_Hamilton) March 29, 2015
Kentucky rebounded 44% of misses in that half. Felt like more.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) March 29, 2015
So Notre Dame has only made one 3-pointer so far yet finds itself tied at the half. Attacking Kentucky in the paint repeatedly. Shocking.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) March 29, 2015
Halftime: nothing decided. Stats: pic.twitter.com/x6miu2Av1v
— Eric Crawford (@ericcrawford) March 29, 2015
gonna go ahead and fire this up early. pic.twitter.com/SR8QC6py30
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) March 29, 2015
Hmmm RT @tnoieNDI: Zach Auguste returns from halftime with left thumb wrapped
— Troy Machir (@TroyMachir) March 29, 2015
UK offense opens with what it needed: Towns post-up bucket. But D gives up thunderous Auguste dunk. Tied again.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) March 29, 2015
Notre Dame goes to the zone. Devin Booker promptly blows it up with a three for Kentucky.
— Brian Hamilton (@_Brian_Hamilton) March 29, 2015
Jerian Grant running the pick and roll is a thing of beauty.
— Rob Dauster (@RobDauster) March 29, 2015
Kentucky ain't missing no 4-footers no more.
— The Comeback NCAA (@TheComebackNCAA) March 29, 2015
Kentucky is trying to deliver a knockout punch early in the second half.
— Rush the Court (@rushthecourt) March 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/TN_Hoops/status/581999887505469440
Was told before the game that Kentucky will not be cutting down the nets if they win the Region.
— Rush the Court (@rushthecourt) March 29, 2015
Second time Notre Dame has literally used up the entire shot clock and gotten an Auguste basket before 0.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) March 29, 2015
SWOON
— Lauren Brownlow (@lebrownlow) March 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/Sam_Vecenie/status/582000150257672192
ZACH ATTACK
— Ben Swain (@TheBenSwain) March 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/Adam_Jacobi/status/582000458639642624
https://twitter.com/TN_Hoops/status/582000607231258624
https://twitter.com/JosephNardone/status/582000713980592128
https://twitter.com/byDavidGardner/status/582000729554083840
YOU CONNAUGHT(ON) BE SERIOUS!
— The Comeback NCAA (@TheComebackNCAA) March 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/Adam_Jacobi/status/582000750177341442
Notre Dame is happening. And Kentucky needs a timeout. My oh my.
— Brian Hamilton (@_Brian_Hamilton) March 29, 2015
Oh my God. Oh my God
— Ed Isaacson (@Ed_HunterAM) March 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/TomFornelli/status/582000775007760384
SIT DOWN ASHLEY JUDD
— Chris W. (@rakesofmallow) March 29, 2015
Crap, Notre Dame will never take these jerseys off now.
— Jeff (@saintwarrick) March 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/TheCauldron/status/582000962325237760
There's an argument to be made (involving 3pfg% luck) that Kentucky has played the worst of the 4 teams that took the court today.
— David Hess (@AudacityOfHoops) March 29, 2015
If the Irish keep this tight, pressure shifts to Kentucky in final few minutes.
— Dave Ommen (@BracketguyDave) March 29, 2015
We're about to see Kentucky's true colors.
— Jon Pence (@scacchoops) March 29, 2015
OH MY #NotreDame #MarchMadness https://t.co/KySBlKhrm7
— The Comeback NCAA (@TheComebackNCAA) March 29, 2015
Willie Cauley-Two-Handed-Swat
— Brian Hamilton (@_Brian_Hamilton) March 29, 2015
Kentucky is shooting 62.5% early on this half and is losing by four.
— Brian Hamilton (@_Brian_Hamilton) March 29, 2015
Karl-Anthony Towns big-boying ‘em this half.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) March 29, 2015
Lot of concerned looks on the Kentucky bench.
— RTC Midwest Region (@RTCMWRegion) March 29, 2015
Towns called for his third. Aaron Harrison holding left hand and coming out. Notre Dame has missed two open looks from 3. Who wants it?
— Eric Crawford (@ericcrawford) March 29, 2015
Zach Auguste just drew an offensive foul on Karl-Anthony Towns. No. 3 on the Kentucky center with 11:15 to go. Irish up 48-44.
— Brian Hamilton (@_Brian_Hamilton) March 29, 2015
Notre Dame taking a page out of Florida play book on how to attack UK. Just doing it with better players.
— Darrin Horn (@Darrin_Horn) March 29, 2015
Kentucky's help side interior defense is atrocious. Non existent tonight
— Jordan Majewski (@jorcubsdan) March 29, 2015
Whoa, 6-5 Pat Connaughton has twice as many rebounds as any UK player.
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) March 29, 2015
Zach Auguste has 16 points in the paint, the most by a player against Kentucky in this year's tournament.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/TomahawkNation/status/582004469438816256
Here we are:
10-minute mark, second half. Let's see how Notre Dame's legs — and nerves — hold up.
— The Comeback NCAA (@TheComebackNCAA) March 29, 2015
Cats feed Dakari in the post, draw Auguste's third foul with 9:48 to go.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) March 29, 2015
Lyles outworked Auguste on that one. Nothing to do with talent.
— Rush the Court (@rushthecourt) March 29, 2015
That Jackson rebound/Lyles block was two crazy plays in the same second.
— Eamonn Brennan (@eamonnbrennan) March 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/lukewinn/status/582005433168211968
OH MY GOD
— Lauren Brownlow (@lebrownlow) March 29, 2015
Jackson got fouled (twice). No call.
— The Comeback NCAA (@TheComebackNCAA) March 29, 2015
Of Notre Dame's 21 makes, 17 have been dunks or layups. #UKvsND
— Brett Edgerton (@EditorEdge) March 29, 2015
ND just 2 of 10 from three and has missed several chances to push the lead to 6-7. Fatigue might be a factor.
— Mark Ennis (@MarkEnnis) March 29, 2015
Karl-Anthony Towns eating Thanksgiving dinner tonight.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) March 29, 2015
No answer for Towns at all.
— Cecil Hurt (@CecilHurt) March 29, 2015
Towns is going off. Now 20 points, 12 this half. Another hook falls. But Auguste answers yet again. UK down three, under 7 to go.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) March 29, 2015
That sequence by Jerian Grant…
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) March 29, 2015
Steve Vasturia from a million miles away. Sure.
— Brian Hamilton (@_Brian_Hamilton) March 29, 2015
Towns never should have given up that ball, and Lyles has been very, very shaky tonight.
— The Comeback NCAA (@TheComebackNCAA) March 29, 2015
First time tonight I’ve felt Notre Dame might actually do this.
— Mark Ennis (@MarkEnnis) March 29, 2015
close game late, and all eyes are on cal. he…he can get a little tight.
— bomani (@bomani_jones) March 29, 2015
The Irish are Fighting……………
— ACCSports.com (@ACCSports) March 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/NicoleAuerbach/status/582007174454472704
https://twitter.com/DanWetzel/status/582007177256181760
Ulis when Kentucky really, really needed it.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) March 29, 2015
Big adjustment there by Cal to put a shooter on Towns side of the court. Two-man game yields a Ulis 3, but Towns picks up 4th on other end.
— Eric Crawford (@ericcrawford) March 29, 2015
That ball movement was so good. Oh my god. And Kentucky is so long and quick that they recovered
— Lauren Brownlow (@lebrownlow) March 29, 2015
Zach Auguste is playing the (offensive) game of his life. Can't stop Towns but cannot be stopped. He has 20 and headed to the line, up five.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) March 29, 2015
#UK shooting 68.8 percent in the second half — but still down 5. Notre Dame 50 percent.
— Eric Crawford (@ericcrawford) March 29, 2015
Grant…savvy.
— Tar Heel Blog (@tarheelblog) March 29, 2015
That switch didn't go well for UK. Dakari switches onto Grant, draws foul shooting a three. Brutal.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) March 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/kensing45/status/582009076126642176
Karl-Anthony Towns and-one and Zach Auguste has four fouls with 4:08 left.
— Brian Hamilton (@_Brian_Hamilton) March 29, 2015
Just a gigantic play by Towns. Now four fouls on Auguste.
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) March 29, 2015
Karl-Anthony Towns is ridiculously good.
— Assembly Call (⚪,🔴) (@AssemblyCall) March 29, 2015
Well, here we go. Last media timeout. Notre Dame 62, Kentucky 61. So much history hanging in the balance.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) March 29, 2015
Free throws, Irish, free throws
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) March 29, 2015
John Calipari could win a game because the OPPONENT misses foul shots late.
— The Comeback NCAA (@TheComebackNCAA) March 29, 2015
Aaron Harrison, Killer of Dreams.
— Brian Hamilton (@_Brian_Hamilton) March 29, 2015
Harrison hits a big three. Where have I seen that before?
— Rush the Court (@rushthecourt) March 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/Adam_Jacobi/status/582010755425255424
Aaron Harrison, of course.
— Evan Daniels (@EvanDaniels) March 29, 2015
Aaron Harrison from way downtown #MarchMadness https://t.co/VSfoM13COj
— The Comeback NCAA (@TheComebackNCAA) March 29, 2015
ONIONS
— THE KEY PLAY (@thekeyplay) March 29, 2015
OH MY GRANT
— Jon Pence (@scacchoops) March 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/Adam_Jacobi/status/582011258297171969
Jerian Grant. pic.twitter.com/kifc9a08RT
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) March 29, 2015
College basketball is the best.
— Mike Rutherford (@CardChronicle) March 29, 2015
Jerian Grant with the answer #NotreDame #marchmadness https://t.co/OA6I01DGEJ
— The Comeback NCAA (@TheComebackNCAA) March 29, 2015
Smart timeout by Mike Brey. That was going to be ugly.
— Tar Heel Blog (@tarheelblog) March 29, 2015
Timeouts should not reset the 10 second count. It is an absurd loophole.
— John Ezekowitz (@JohnEzekowitz) March 29, 2015
Notre Dame has zero second half turnovers.
— Eric Crawford (@ericcrawford) March 29, 2015
Why tho
— Lauren Brownlow (@lebrownlow) March 29, 2015
Cats with the ball, down two, with 78 ticks to go.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) March 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/fakegimel/status/582012629809496064
Kentucky has made 9 of its last 9 FG attempts.
— Ben Roberts (@BenRobertsHL) March 29, 2015
Notre Dame ball, just one second on the shot clock.
I cannot imagine what will happen in Kentucky if ND hits a shot here. Duck and cover.
— Brian Hamilton (@_Brian_Hamilton) March 29, 2015
Shot-clock violation. UK ball. Lineup is Ulis, twins, WCS, Towns. 33.6 to go, tie game.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) March 29, 2015
That was ND's first turnover in 29 minutes
— Troy Machir (@TroyMachir) March 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/TN_Hoops/status/582013867603017728
Andrew Harrison drives, fouled. To the line with six ticks left. Gracious, this game.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) March 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/insidethehall/status/582014040865693696
Too soon.
— John Gasaway (@JohnGasaway) March 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/Beisner_cn2/status/582014156645232641
WOW. Kentucky survives.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) March 29, 2015
So, it'll be the rematch everyone wanted since November: #Badgers vs. Kentucky in the Final Four.
— Jesse Temple (@jessetemple) March 29, 2015
38-0. #BBN
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/akulawolf/status/582014320449609728
Too much hero ball by Grant in the last minute plus. Too much Kentucky just having horses. Really tall horses.
— Zac Jackson (@AkronJackson) March 29, 2015
FINAL: Kentucky 68, Notre Dame 66. Cats ride into the Final Four on the broad back of Karl-Anthony Towns.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) March 29, 2015
Kentucky escapes. Again. In a classic. #UK 68, Notre Dame 66. Wildcats return to the Final Four. Box pic.twitter.com/UYguAPVL5z
— Eric Crawford (@ericcrawford) March 29, 2015
Notre Dame comes up short at the buzzer #MarchMadness https://t.co/8M3XRNgZJd
— The Comeback NCAA (@TheComebackNCAA) March 29, 2015
Calipari: "We figure out a way to win it."
— Jon Solomon (@JonSolomon35) March 29, 2015
