It's been an interesting few days for me. As many of you know, I missed my first career game at Notre Dame in our win at home against Furman.

After I became ill in Maui the night before we were set to play North Carolina in the championship game of the Maui Invitational, I was diagnosed with pneumonia on my return to home.

I missed the game on Sunday (a 93-61 Notre Dame victory) and couldn't even be in attendance. I watched it on the computer with my parents. I have to admit, that it was really different. It was so hard not to be out there, but I was really proud of my teammates and how they responded after our long trip back from Hawaii.

They really had only one day to prepare for the game and just two days to try to get their bodies acclimated after three tough days of competition in Hawaii.

The most disappointing part of the whole day is that I didn't get the opportunity to be there for us winning our 39th consecutive home game to set the all-time school record -- a 60-year-old record!

We're ranked seventh in the country after a good showing at Maui. We had a good showing with a victory over Indiana and one-point win over sixth-ranked Texas. That was a really exciting game and one that my teammates and I will always remember.

We were disappointed with how we played against North Carolina, but learned what we needed to do to become an elite team. It was a great learning experience for us all; it will be a game that we help us once we get into conference play.

Speaking of the Big East, it's hard to believe that eight teams are ranked in this week's Associated Press top 25 poll. The conference season is just going to be unbelievably competitive.

I am not sure when I am going to be able to play again. I am feeling better, but Coach (Mike) Brey isn't going to let me rush back until the doctors are certain that I won't have a relapse. As much as I want to get back playing again, I know I have to be smart.

A special thanks to the students at Saint Michael School who were out in full force to see the Irish play Furman; I am so sorry I wasn't there.

Thanks for supporting my teammates, it meant a lot to me and my parents.

Go Irish!

Luke Harangody