Notre Dame Notre Dame/Virginia Tech Va. Tech Men's College Basketball recap on ESPN

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) -- Notre Dame knows all about being the new team in the Big East Conference, taking lumps as a right of passage. Six years ago, the Fighting Irish were that team.

Now, 18th-ranked Notre Dame is the champion of the conference's West Division.

Troy Murphy had 20 points and 10 rebounds as the Fighting Irish clinched that title by sending Big East newcomer Virginia Tech to its eighth straight loss, 85-61 Saturday.

"You feel for them because we were in the same position a few years ago," Murphy said. "Now we've made a nice turnaround and we're lucky to be where we are. But a couple short years ago, we were right there."

The Fighting Irish didn't win more than eight games in any of their first five seasons in the league and didn't win their first conference tournament game until last year.

Against the Hokies, the Fighting Irish (19-6, 11-3) looked ready to play for more than just the division title. They led by 17 at halftime, by as many as 34 in the second half and won their fifth straight on the road for the first time since the 1953-54 season.

"We were unselfish offensively and did a good job defensively," first-year Notre Dame coach Mike Brey said. "We knew what was on the line."

Virginia Tech (8-18, 2-13), undersized and overmatched, lost for the 11th time in 12 games. The Hokies were outscored 18-5 at the foul line in their final home game. "They do a great job of spacing, they do a great job of shooting. Unfortunately for us, everyone we play seems to shoot the ball extremely well," Virginia Tech coach Ricky Stokes said.

Notre Dame shot 60 percent in the first half and 52.7 percent for the game. The Fighting Irish also outrebounded Virginia Tech 46-29.

Murphy, who hit seven of 10 shots on a short day, was impressed by the Hokies.

"They're going to be a good team. They play extremely hard and they play hard the whole game no matter what the score is," Murphy said. "That says a lot about their coach and their character."

David Graves and Matt Carroll added 19 points apiece for Notre Dame, and Ryan Humphrey had 12 before Brey emptied his bench with about six minutes left.

"I'm so happy for our team," Carroll said. "We worked so hard in the offseason for this and we've talked about it all season."

The Hokies, coming off a 40-point loss to Providence, were led by Carlton Carter with 17 points and Carlos Dixon with 14.

Virginia Tech made only 25 of 68 shots (36.8 percent).

The Fighting Irish barely broke a sweat in taking a 45-28 halftime lead. Notre Dame shot 60 percent and outrebounded Virginia Tech 22-11.

The game was only the second ever between the teams. Notre Dame beat Virginia Tech 92-91 in overtime to win the 1973 NIT title.

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Men's College Basketball Scoreboard

Notre Dame Clubhouse

Virginia Tech Clubhouse

AUDIO/VIDEO
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Ryan Humphrey finds Troy Murphy under the basket for a jam.
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David Graves takes the outlet pass and goes the distance for a layup.
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Ryan Humphrey feeds Troy Murphy in the lane for a reverse jam.
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Carlton Carter works down low for a jumper and draws a foul.
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