Notre Dame Elite Eight Facts

Notre Dame defeated Wichita State 81-70 to advance to the Elite Eight.

Notre Dame is in their 6th Elite Eight and their first since 1979.  The 36 years between Elite Eights is the 12th longest in tournament history.  See Blog for list of other teams.

They are 1-4 in their previous 5 appearances.

• Lost to Indiana 79-66 in 1953
• Lost to Penn State 71-63 in 1954
• Lost to Kentucky 89-56 in 1958
• Defeated DePaul 84-64 in 1978
• Lost to Michigan State 80-68 in 1979

Notre Dame's Elite Eight appearance is Mike Brey's first in 12 appearances.  Brey was tied for third all-time with the most appearances without an Elite Eight appearance coming into the tournament behind Mark Few and Fran Dunphy who had 15 each.

It is the third consecutive year that a coach will be making his first Elite Eight appearance.  Buzz Williams, Marquette and Gregg Marshall, Wichita State made their first appearance in 2013.  Kevin Ollie, Connecticut and Archie Miller, Dayton made their first appearance in 2014.

Notre Dame's Elite Eight appearance marks a return for a #3 seed after a one-year absence.  A #3 seed had made the Elite Eight for 11 straight years before all four missing last year.

Notre Dame's Elite Eight appearance also marks a return for the ACC.  Before that, an ACC team had made the Elite Eight for 7 consecutive years. (Although it is guaranteed that an ACC team would be in the Elite Eight since North Carolina State is playing Louisville.)