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Harangody out as Notre Dame hosts Furman

Nov 30, 2008 - 8:13 AM Furman (1-3) at No. 8 Notre Dame (4-1) 2:00 p.m. EST

SOUTH BEND, Indiana (Ticker) -- After Luke Harangody and eighth-ranked Notre Dame tested themselves in the Maui Invitational against a pair of the country's elite teams, they thought a month-long homestand would bring them some relief. An illness to last year's Big East Player of the Year has left them with a different feel.

With Harangody out indefinitely after being diagnosed with pneumonia, the Fighting Irish play the first of six straight home games against Furman on Sunday.

Led by Harangody, Notre Dame cruised past Indiana before squeaking out a win over seventh-ranked Texas, 81-80, to advance to the championship game against top-ranked North Carolina. The 6-8 forward had 29 points and 15 rebounds against the Longhorns but was limited to 13 and seven as the Tar Heels won the title, 102-87.

Harangody became ill following the matchup with Texas, but managed to play against the Tar Heels. He has not missed a game during his career with the Irish, but is out indefinitely.

"There's no timetable set right now in terms of when Luke is going to be able to play in a game," Irish head coach Mike Brey said. "We're going to be very careful and cautious with his illness. Our immediate concern is Luke and his health."

Kyle McAlarney's career day helped the Irish stay with the Tar Heels. McAlarney finished with a career-high 39 points, while making a Fighting Irish school-record 10 3-pointers.

The Paladins have lost three straight after a season-opening win against Emory. They dropped a 68-63 contest at Dartmouth on Tuesday.

Jordan Miller leads Furman with 15 points a game while Alex Opacic averages 12 points and seven boards.

Notre Dame has won 38 consecutive home games, which ties a school-record set from December 11, 1943-February 9, 1948.