By SCOTT NOVAK

Dowagiac Daily News

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The host Fighting Irish are hoping to take that next step toward a possible NCAA championship tonight when it takes on Vermont in the second round of the tournament at the Purcell Pavilion.

Tip-off is slated for 7:16 p.m.

Notre Dame brings a 28-5 record into tonight’s contest, while Vermont 27-6.

The Fighting Irish advanced to the second round with an 86-58 win over Cleveland State. The Catamounts reached the second round with an upset of Wisconsin 64-55.

The winner moves on to the Kansas City Regional on March 28 against either the University of Arkansas-Little Rock or Oklahoma.

That game tips off at 8:45 p.m.

Here are some other notes about tonight’s contest:

* Notre Dame advances to the second round for the 13th time in the past 15 seasons. The Fighting Irish did not advance past the first round in last year’s tournament after getting upset by Minnesota.

* Notre Dame is 20-1 against first-time opponents, including a 15-game winning streak.

* The Fighting Irish now have seven 25-plus win seasons, all of which have come in the last 14 years.

* Notre Dame has defeated six Top 25 teams this season, including Michigan State, Oklahoma and West Virginia.

* Vermont is playing its 19th game of the season on the road, a new school record. The Catamounts played 17 times away from home during the regular season.

* The win over Wisconsin was the first upset of the 2010 tournament.

* This is the Catamount’s first trip to the second round.

* The American East Conference tied a record with three teams in the post season. The league also did it last year with Vermont playing in the NCAA Tournament, while Hartford and Boston University both played in the WNIT.