Mar 27, 2012; Raleigh, NC, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrate after beating the Maryland Terrapins 80-49 in the finals of the Raleigh region in the 2012 NCAA women

After an amazing performance last night by Skylar Diggins  the Irish Women’s Basketball Team is heading to Denver, Colorado, for the Final Four!  Notre Dame thrashed the Maryland Terrapins by 31 points, lead by Skylar Diggins’ triple double recording 22 points, 10 rebounds,and 11 assists.  The Irish controlled the scoreboard from the eleven minute  mark in first half  all the way to the end of the game.  This comes as no surprise in this tournament since the Irish have won every game by double digits!  This team seems to be on a mission to return to championship game, but this time they plan on coming home with the trophy.  This will not be an easy task as they will have to face a Connecticut team who has been to the Final Four the past 5 years in a row.

Although the Irish have beaten the Huskies twice this year they did lose the last game they played in the Big East Championship Game.  Expect a fight to finish between these two rivals, whoever comes out on top will have to earn it.   Coach Auriemma and Coach McGraw have both been to this stage several times before so expect both teams to be ready for the big stage.  Tune in on Sunday, April 1st, at 6:30 eastern time on ESPN. Follow us @Slap The Sign on Twitter and on Facebook.

Mar 8, 2012; New York, NY, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard/forward Pat Connaughton (24) shoots the game winning free throw during overtime in third round at the Big East Tournament against the USF Bulls at Madison Square Garden. Notre Dame won 57-53 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-US PRESSWIRE

The Irish hope to continue their remarkable run in the Big East as they face the Louisville Cardinals tonight at 9 eastern time in Madison Square Garden.  Notre Dame Guards, Eric Atkins and Jerian Grant, will have to contain Peyton Siva tonight if the Irish want to advance to the Big East Championship Game.  Siva is coming off an 18 point, 8 rebound, and 6 assist performance against Marquette.  The Irish are coming off a squeaker against South Florida as they won in overtime 57-53.  Notre Dame will have to keep shooting well from beyond the arc if they want to beat Louisville.  Look for the Irish to slow down the tempo of the game in order to keep the transition points by the Cardinals to a minimum.

The two keys to the game for Louisville will be if they can score off turnovers and whether or not they can slow down Jack Cooley (scored 18 points in last meeting).  On the other side of the court the Irish will have to slow down Peyton Siva, but they will also have to limit Kyle Kuric’s three point attempts to a minimum.  Expect another jaw dropper in the Garden do not be surprised if this game goes into overtime as it did earlier in the season when Louisville was defeated by the Irish at home in overtime.  The game will be televised at 9 eastern on ESPN after the Connecticut Cincinnati Game.  Follow us on Twitter @Slap The Sign and on Facebook  at Slap The Sign.

It is February and the Irish Women’s Basketball Team have their eyes on one thing, and that’s a championship.  Coach Muffet McGraw had the team on top of its game tonight as they soared past Louisville, 68-52. Never losing the lead throughout the entire game the Irish beating the Cardinals on the most important categories, field goal percentage and free throw percentage.  Skylar Diggins scored 21 points and had 7 assists, in the win against the Cardinals.  These Irish Women are now 26-2 overall and 13-1 in the Big East Conference.

Skylar Diggins will need to keep up the same type of play come March especially if the women have to face the Baylor Bears during March Madness.  The season will end against Big East Foe Connecticut, earlier this season the Irish won in overtime 74-67.  If Notre Dame can come out with another win against Connecticut, expect the Irish to use the momentum in March to help propel them far in the tournament.