#Pat Garrity -- A Man Who Wants to Go Dancing#

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By Chris Altruda 
College Basketball Editor 

For the past three seasons, Notre Dame forward Pat Garrity has
done just about everything coach John MacLeod has asked of him
short of filling and carrying the water buckets to and from the
bench. 

As a senior this season, Garrity wants one thing back from the
team in return -- a trip to the NCAA Tournament. 

"Our goal is the NCAA's," said Garrity, who averaged 21.1 points
and 7.4 rebounds last season.  "We know we can play with some of
those teams.  We have to start what we finish." 

The Fighting Irish, who have not been to the NCAA Tournament
since 1990, took a huge step forward in that goal last season
with a trip to the NIT.  Notre Dame lost in the quarterfinals to
eventual champion Michigan and finished the season at 16-14. 

But the fact the team played in the post-season was an important
fact not lost on Garrity. 

"It was important to know what it's like to win," he said.  "It
gives us momentum and we play well as a team." 

Garrity's scoring average has steadily improved, from 13.9
points his freshman season to 17.2 points in his sophomore
campaign to last year's average of 21.1.  He was named the Big
East Conference's Most Valuable Player, but will have a bigger
challenge this season being Notre Dame's on-the-court leader. 

"We lost three players in Admore White, Pete Miller and Matt
Gotsch," said Garrity.  "They brought intangibles and cohesion
to the team.  But we have Phil Hickey at center and Keith Friel
coming back.  We've got a lot of young guys. 

"But I'm totally ready for the challenge and I want to be
there." 

But the desire to make the NCAA Tournament is what makes Garrity
go.  He admitted to the frustration he has encountered the past
three years, especially the last two as the Fighting Irish
continued to adjust to the rigors of Big East Conference
basketball. 

"It has been frustrating," explained Garrity, who led the Irish
in scoring in 23 of 30 games last season.  "Sophomore year, we
went 9-18 and 4-14 in the conference.  It's frustrating when you
see other programs get big recruits.  We should get those
recruits, too." 

Garrity, though, has faith in MacLeod and faith in his game. 
But then again, faith is a good thing to have when you go to
Notre Dame. 

"He's a great teacher," said Garrity of MacLeod.  "He teaches
fundamentals. He's calm, he's persistent.  He's been a great
coach for me." 

As for his own game, Garrity worked hard with the Under-22 squad
in the summer to fill what few deficiencies he has in his game. 

"I've worked on outside jump shooting.  I was a decent post
player, but I have to up my rebounding and get more assists." 

But the season won't mean anything to Garrity unless the team
gets to the field of 64.  He knows what Notre Dame has to do to
get its first bid in eight seasons. 

"We have to win on the road, bear down and play great defense,"
said Garrity. "It (the Big East) is bad this year and we'll be
in the mix."