Carleton Scott saves the day in Harangody's return

Notre Dame won their fourth straight game yesterday, coming back from down 50-43 late in the to win in overtime at Marquette 63-60.

It truly is a remarkable story. The Irish lose one of the best players in the conference, their leading scorer and rebounder, and proceed to go on a four game run, beating Pitt, Georgetown, UConn, and Marquette, to take themselves from out of the bubble conversation to a realistic shot at an NCAA Tournament bid.

To make things all-the-more-storybook, Carleton Scott hit this shot to force overtime and save Notre Dame's collective behind:



Scott is a tremendous story. A junior, he very nearly left the team over the summer -- and even missed a game in January as he was considering leaving the team -- but he has been a more than adequate replacement for Harangody, averaging 14.3 ppg and 12.0 rpg over the last three games.

The news gets better. Luke Harangody played for the first time in five games, and while it was just 11 minutes and five points he accounted for, working Gody back in the line-up will be key for the Irish in March.

But will a great three weeks be enough to make up for a not-so-impressive three months to start the season?

Notre Dame is currently sitting in 57th in the RPI. They have three wins against the RPI top 15 (West Virginia, Pitt, Georgetown). They are 10-8 in the Big East and have won 21 games.

It will be interesting to see how Notre Dame works Harangody back into their rotation.
(photo credit: Chicago Tribune)

But Notre Dame's issue isn't with who they have beaten -- there are not many teams that have three top 15 wins. Its who they have lost too; Loyola Marymount, Northwestern, St. John's, and Rutgers are among the teams that have knocked off the Irish. Not many teams on the bubble have four losses that bad.

So are the Irish a tournament team?

Well, the last two weeks they have looked like one, and thanks to the struggles of a number of the bubble teams, the Irish are close to a lock to make the dance.

The key word is close to.

The Irish are the seven seed in the Big East tournament, meaning that they will be playing the winner of Seton Hall-Rutgers.

The easiest way to lock up a bid?

Win their first Big East tournament game.