Feb. 27, 2001
From The Associated Press
Notre Dame looks for its first Big East title as it visits Pittsburgh on Tuesday in a key conference matchup.
The second-ranked Irish (25-1, 14-1) are tied with Connecticut for the best record in the conference, but own the tiebreaker having beaten the Huskies this season.
The Huskies will wrap up their season at Seton Hall on Tuesday. An Irish victory or Huskies loss would give Notre Dame the conference crown.
Whether or not they win the Big East, this year’s Irish squad is already the most successful in school history, having been No. 1 in the polls. The Irish also extended their school-best home winning streak to 36 games after Saturday’s 65-53 victory over Georgetown. It was the final regular season home game for seniors Imani Dunbar, Niele Ivey, Meaghan Leahy, Ruth Riley and Kelley Siemon.
“I couldn’t control my emotions before the game and I think it overflowed into some of the players,” said Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw, whose seniors have compiled the best four-year winning percentage (.826). “It was an emotional day just to look at them walking out and knowing there’s not many opportunities for them to play at home and all that they’ve given me personally.”