The University of Notre Dame's basketball team doesn't get nearly as much ink as does its football team. But this year the Irish men's team is 24-6, ranked in the top 20, and a lock to make it to the NCAAs. And guess who made first team All-Big East:
"Already on edge Monday morning while preparing to give a presentation in his media ethics class, Notre Dame junior guard Kyle McAlarney almost fell out of his chair when he learned the news. Glancing at a text message from teammate Rob Kurz just before he was to address the group, McAlarney discovered that he had been named to the All-Big East first team. Twelve months ago, he was home in Staten Island, N.Y., while serving a university-imposed suspension stemming from an arrest for marijuana possession. On Monday, word arrived that the league's 16 coaches consider McAlarney one of the top 11 players in one of the nation's most competitive college basketball conferences. "That kind of put a smile on my face," he said. "It means a lot to me. It's almost kind of a redemption kind of thing for me. I feel proud about it."
I've seen McAlarney play many times. I well remember last year's troubles. But he got himself off the mat, and came back this year focused and determined. Good for him.
