Notre Dame Misses The Madness

Bonzie Colson’s return gave the Notre Dame men’s basketball team a boost and some life down the stretch, but it wasn’t enough.

As expected, it wasn’t enough and the Irish were left out of the 68-team NCAA Tournament field, which was just announced.

Notre Dame was without Colson, a preseason National Player of the Year candidate, for 15 games in the middle of the season before he returned for a win over Pitt and a close loss to #1 Virginia in the regular-season finale. Another win over the Panthers in the first round of the ACC Tournament and a 21-point comeback against Virginia Tech in the second round put the Irish back in contention, but an 18-point loss to Duke in the quarterfinals sealed their fate.

The Irish were 11-3 prior to losing Colson to a foot injury and they were hoping the case that they’re a much different team with Colson than the one that went 6-9 without him would be enough to get them into the field. Wins over Wichita State, Florida State, Virginia Tech and NC State helped the résumé, but losses to Ball State and Indiana crippled it as did the blowout loss to the Blue Devils and another 18-point drubbing at the hands of Michigan State back in November.  

Notre Dame finished the regular season 20-14 and is expected to accept a bid to the NIT. The NIT Selection Show is set for 8:30 p.m. tonight.