The ND Men's Basketball Team and a Big Game

Not having the opportunity to be on campus -- we've been in the Insights world headquarters located in very cold Fort Wayne, Ind. -- we can't tell you exactly what the mood is on campus regarding Thursday's Notre Dame-Alabama game.

So, we figured we'd ask some of the players themselves.

Insights: Is there a buzz on campus?

Sophomore guard Kyle McAlarney: "Yeah, I think so. I love our fans. As we win, they just keep getting better and better. We just have to do our job working hard and doing what we have to do and hopefully they'll come out and support us."

Insights: So are you pushing guys in your dorm to come out Thursday night?

KM:"I don't even think we have to do that. It's just, everyone knows that Thursday is such a big game. The Joyce Center is going to be pretty packed and pretty loud Thursday night."

Insights: You excited to see that?

KM: "I can't wait. The Joyce Center is so fun to play in, especially when the crowd is into it and all the students are there. I can't wait."

Junior forward Rob Kurz isn't sure about the total on-campus buzz just yet. But then again, his teammates say he is always in the gym so maybe he just isn't around them much.

Insights: Have you seen a buzz on campus?

RK: "I'm not really sure about that so far. I notice people in the dorm have been talking about it. Hopefully it'll translate into a big crowd and good atmosphere on Thursday night."

Of course, hardly any students were there when Notre Dame beat Winston-Salem State last week. But then again, Winston-Salem isn't a must-see or even kinda-wanna-see opponent. Alabama, No. 5 in the nation, is a different kind of team.

Senior guard Colin Falls thinks that should be enough to fill the Joyce Center.

Insights: So is there anything you guys are doing to get fans to the Joyce Center on Thursday?

CF: "I don't really have much contact with the students. I live off-campus. I try to get my roommates involved. It's one of those things, it's difficult. I've been on campus the past few years and have a lot of relationships with people on campus but I don't know, if they want to come, they'll come. I don't know there is much we can do from a marketing perspective. If we play well, people are going to come and watch us play and we play hard. If that can't get people to come to the stadium, then there is nothing else we can do."

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette