A wonderful thing happened to Notre Dame basketball. A new coach came to town. And he won. Big games. Sure, he lost a few too. But suddenly excitement is in the air. Notre Dame is again a force to be reckoned with.

The UConn game is already sold out – compare that to last year, when most students didn't think it was worth their time to go to a game.

Basketball is going to make us proud, and winter in South Bend will be a lot less dreary.

But doesn't Muffet deserve an Outrageous Bunch, too?

If everyone was waiting for a winning team before becoming enthusiastic about basketball – well, we've had one for quite some time. The Notre Dame women's basketball team is consistently one of the best teams in the nation. Yet a glance around the sparsely-filled JACC at game time makes one wonder, "Where is the student body?"

These women play with amazing talent, heart and toughness. And they win. A lot. Everyone should be proud to support this team. With a 15–2 record, an 11-game winning streak and high hopes for the NCAA tournament, they are as perfect a team as any die-hard fan could want. The team doesn't ask for much. Just show up and the Irish won't disappoint.

But people don't show up. For some inexplicable reason the many crazed Irish fans on campus don't seem to make it to the women's basketball games.

But there's still time. The student body has at least five more chances.

Think about these reasons to be at the JACC on Saturday when the Fighting Irish face Georgetown and for the remaining games on the home schedule:

1. When they reach the Final Four, you can say that you knew it all along.

2. Niele Ivey's recovered from last season's knee injury — and she's better than ever.

3. It may be the only thing on this campus that's free.

4. How much better do they have to get before you'll go to see them?

5. A great chance to wear your obnoxiously-colored dorm T-shirt.

6. Currently ranked a school record fifth in the AP Poll, the team's undefeated in the Big East — a conference that has four schools ranked in the top 25.

7. They have a 16-game home winning streak already; imagine what they could do playing in front of a packed JACC every game.

8. UConn always sells out Gampel Pavillion for women's basketball games.

9. See freshman sensation Alicia Ratay in action.

10. Who wants to miss the opportunity to paint his or her body blue and gold?

11. Relieve the stress of going back to classes by screaming at the refs.

12. Seniors — How many more times will you get to sing the Alma Mater?

13. RUUUUUUUTH.

14. National Championship, anyone???

• Where's the MOB?