Notre Dame’s New Strength and Conditioning Program Seems to be Working Just Fine

Monsters?...They’re Monstars!

If you’re in tune to the ongoings of Notre Dame Fighting Irish football on Twitter, then you’ve probably well aware of this. If not, luckily I’m here for ya.

Over the past week several Notre Dame football players have been posting before and after pictures of their results from new strength program headed by Matt Balis. Balis is one of the new additions to Brian Kelly’s staff. He previously spent time at UConn.

Some of these players have put on some serious muscle. Linebacker Te’Von Coney has bulked up mightily. Same could be said for wide receivers Kevin Stepherson and Javon McKinley and defensive back D.J. Morgan. They’ve all considerably bulked up, but Coney definitely stands out the most. I wouldn’t want to meet that guy one-on-one on the field.

The way they have bulked up, it reminds me of the scene in Space Jam when they aliens take the talent from the NBA players and become giants.

Jerian Grant posts first career double-double

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On Sunday night, former Notre Dame basketball player and Chicago Bulls point guard, Jerian Grant, posted his first career double-double. Grant had 17 points and 11 assists on 7-12 shooting.

The Bulls clinched a playoff spot on Wednesday night, so we’ll see a little bit of Grant in the playoffs.

Early Surprises in Major League Baseball

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Every year, some team that isn’t expected to do much starts off fast, and suddenly everyone starts jumping on the bandwagon. This season is no different. The Minnesota Twins and Arizona Diamondbacks have both been pleasant surprises.

Both were expected to finish in the bottom half of the division. Minnesota is currently 5-3, but started off 5-1. Then the Diamondbacks lead the league in hitting and scoring, and and are also off to a 7-2 start, which includes a sweep of the American League Champion Cleveland Indians. Former Notre Dame baseball player A.J. Pollock is helping lead the charge for Arizona.

If I had to pick between these two teams to keep up their hot play, I’d have to go with Arizona. I like their roster and pitching staff much better than the Twins.

NHL Playoffs are Underway

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The NHL playoffs, arguably the best playoffs in sports, started on Wednesday night.

• The New York Rangers took down the Montreal Canadiens 2-0 in Montreal
• Defending Stanley Cup Champ, Pittsburgh Penguins took down the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1
• The Boston Bruins dispatched the Ottawa Senators in Ottawa.
• As I’m writing this the San Jose Sharks vs. the Edmonton Oilers and the St. Louis Blues vs. the Minnesota Wild are currently still in play

As some of you may know, I’m a huge Chicago Blackhawks fan. The ‘Hawks will open up playoff action Thursday night at the United Center. The Blackhawks will be squaring off with the Nashville Predators. The ‘Hawks finished with the best record in the Western Conference, and are one of the odds on favorites to win the cup. With a core of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook, they are hard to go against at this point. #DynastyReign