12/8/2024
Notre Dame got back on track in a season that has so far been one of streaks. Following two losses in the Cayman Islands, the Irish responded with two wins this week. Thursday night in South Bend, No. 4 Texas and ND needed overtime to determine the outcome. The Longhorns scored the first bucket in the extra period, but that would be it as the Fighting Irish finished the game on 12-0 for the 80-70 victory (and their second top 5 team takedown this year). Sunday afternoon featured a much easier win, 93-62, vs. Syracuse in the ACC opener for both teams.
Another quirky streak ongoing right now is entry into the career 1,000 point club against a top 5 ranked team. Olivia Miles hit that mark in the USC win and Hannah Hidalgo did the same against Texas. That means that 4 of the starting 5 for the Irish are in the millennium “club" with only freshman Kate Koval to follow. This coming Thursday night she will get her chance to keep the streak alive against No. 2 UConn. She just needs 925 points. You got this, Kate ...
11/30/2024
The Irish were riding high after a big road win over highly-ranked USC and moving up to No. 3 in the national polls. They rode that momentum into the 2024 Cayman Islands Classic this week where they ripped off another … wait … where they promptly dropped back-to-back games; a Friday 76-68 loss to TCU followed the next day by 78-67 loss to Utah.
Yikes.
Depth concerns seem to be rearing their head a bit as each game saw the bench outscored decisively and a second half collapse. The schedule stays tough with home games against No. 5 Texas and No. 2 UConn bookending a visit to Syracuse in the next two weeks. Perhaps after visits to Southern California and the Cayman Islands, a little northern Indiana and upstate New York December weather is what they need to get back on track.
That and another consistent scorer besides Hannah Hidalgo.
11/24/2024
Notre Dame went into hostile territory on Saturday and came away with a statement win over No. 3 ranked USC, 74-61. Irish guards, Hannah Hidalgo and Olivia Miles, were electric, combining for 44 points. Sonia Citron understood her (defensive) assignment and kept Trojan star, JuJu Watkins, to 5 points in the first half. The game was a sellout and attended by WNBA royalty including Candace Parker, Cheryl Parker, Cameron Brink, and Cheney Ogwumike.
This being Los Angeles, there were also plenty of non-hoop stars there including three big ones: Ted Lasso, People’s 2020 “Sexiest Man of the Year”, and Snoop Dogg - or, if you prefer, Jason Sudeikis, Michael B. Jordan, and Calvin Corozar Broadus Jr.
You’re welcome for that little bit of trivia. Also, Calvin’s outfit was something …
11/17/2024
Notre Dame had a (mostly) fun week. They started by signing five-star recruit, Leah Macy, on Wednesday morning, thumped James Madison at home that night, 92-46, and wrapped things up on the road at Lafayette with another win over the weekend, 91-55. Hannah Hidalgo led all scoring in both games with 24 and 29 points and freshman Kate Koval pulled down a combined 35 rebounds (!) in the two victories.
Irish forward, Liatu King, missed Sunday’s game as she was still in concussion protocol. She joined a large group of injured players - so much so that only seven players dressed against the Leopards. Then, strangely, in a 36 point blowout, the seventh player, Sarah Cernugel, only saw four minutes of action. Huh?
Hey coach - minor suggestion; use that (short) bench more. There is a long, long way to go ...
11/10/2024
Looking at the 2024/2025 season for ND women’s basketball team, expectations are high. The backcourt of Olivia Miles and Hannah Hidalgo may be the best in the country, the opening AP ranking of 6 is high, and the preseason prognosticators have the Irish as a realistic title contender. They just need to stay healthy coming off the prior year where injuries hampered the team all season long and they exited with a loss in the Sweet Sixteen.
Monday night saw a season-opening win over Mercyhurst, 105-61. Good start, right? Well, all-ACC player Sonia Citron missed the game with a foot injury, 1,000 point scorer Maddy Westbeld is out for a month or two also with a foot injury, and KK Bransford who was first off the bench last year has decided to medically redshirt this season due to leg issues.
I refer fans of the program to the last sentence in the opening paragraph … they “just” need to stay healthy.
Comments