Sophomore - Luke Harangody

29th Jan 2008

The Notre Dame men’s basketball team has been able to rely on Sophomore forward, Luke Harangody all season. In his sophomore year the 6′8″ big man from Schererville, Indiana leads the Fighting Irish in scoring with an average of 19.3 points per game. That’s good for first in the Big East, a slight edge over Brian Laing of Seton Hall with 19.1 a game. Harangody uses his 250 pound body to bully his opponents over and dominate the glass. Luke helps the Irish average 42.7 rebounds per game, which is a stunning fourth in the nation and second in the Big East. He accounts for 9.6 of the 42.7 which places him in second individually in the Big East.

Harangody first began dominating at Notre Dame rather early his rookie year. As a freshman he averaged 11.2 points and 6.2 rebounds in only 20.6 minutes a game. This year he only plays an average of 6.6 minutes more but his numbers are much higher. Luke has improved tremendously and has worked his body into better shape since his first year on the Notre Dame basketball team. His free throw percentage is down very slightly compared to last year, but is still exceptional at 80.2%.

So far this season, Luke has had a double-double in nine of eighteen games that have been played. His two biggest games were at home against West Virginia which he scored 29 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, the other in a loss away at Marquette with 29 points again and 14 rebounds. However, Harangody’s more recent impressive performance was Saturday at Villanova where he put up 25 points and 10 rebounds. Although, Kyle McAlarney was the star of that game though with 30 points.

Luke Harangody is going to continue to improve and learn to use his body to an even greater advantage. He was recently named to the Midseason Wooden Award list of thirty players. The John R. Wooden Award is given every year to the nation’s top player. Harangody was one of only three Big East players named to the list, the others were Roy Hibbert of Georgetown and Sam Young of Pittsburgh. Providence presents the next challenge for Harangody and the Irish Thursday night at home in South Bend. As always, Go Irish!

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