Notre Dame 2021-2022

[Heytherego]

 

[Dillon77]

Saw Maya Dodson's name on the WNBA draft list. So was her petition for another year of NCAA eligibility denied? Or if she's still waiting for a ruling on that, might she still pull her name from draft consideration? For example, I know that Nancy Mulkey originally declared for the draft last year but then pulled her name from consideration a bit later so she could play her COVID year as a grad transfer at Washington.

This was the subject of discussion on The Bench today. Anthony Anderson, beat reporter, confirmed that Maya Dodson still has a petition into the NCAA to see if she even has a year of eligibility. So, this "opt in" to the draft is covering her professional option. Somewhat parallel tracks? Stay tuned.

 

[Dillon77]

At first, seeing all thee of these names on tweet(s) was a bummer. ND had a solid season (24-9, Sweet Sixteen) and most Irish fans were hoping the core group would come back, joined by KK Bransford and perhaps someone from the portal.

But, none of these are a shocker upon closer inspection:

- Sam Brunelle and Anaya Peoples, even though they played on MM's disastrous last season, still each made the all-ACC rookie team. Under Niele Ivey, they're playing behind two of Niele's core pieces: Maddy Westbeld (Sam) and Sonia Citron (Anaya). And the ball movement system they played under with MM has been altered which does not play to their strengths.

Both have two years of eligibility and would hope to find a school where they get a chance to get lots of playing time. Anaya's from the Midwest. Will she look to stay there? Illinois has a new coach and situation. IU loses Cardano-Hillary and Ali Patberg. Can another Irish transfer land there? And Marquette is losing some key contributors.

As for Sam, will she be drawn to her hometown school, UVA, which has a new coach. Gosh knows they can use players. Horror of horrors: she was close to Beth Morgan Cunningham, her position coach at ND. Could she follow Beth to Duke?

- Abby Prohaska, the flaming redhead, got to a Final Four and a Sweet Sixteen, while going through some hellacious injuries and illnesses in between. She'll graduate this May and have two years left to play, with a medical redshirt and a Covid year. Find a school with playing opportunities and a good grad program and go get 'em, Abby.

Best of luck to all three....they represented ND well on and off the court.

Looks like I'm going to be studying the portal for more than a big and Abby Meyers. Sigh.

 

[DefenseBB]

 

[Dillon77]

Sam will get her degree by end of summer.
Will be interesting to see where she spends the next two years to play and pursue that masters.

 

[Dillon77]

Abby Prohaska will graduate on time in May as a 4-yr. senior.
Due to a medical redshirt and the Covid year, she'll have two years of eligibility.
The proverbial "heart and soul" of the team, particularly on defense, she got to attend a Final Four and a Sweet 16. Good luck to her.

 

[eebmg]

Sam will get her degree by end of summer.
Will be interesting to see where she spends the next two years to play and pursue that masters.

Brunelle definitely needed to leave ND. Just buried on the lineup.

I thought Peoples was getting more time and working her way into a significant contribution. Seemed so in the NC St game.

 

[Dillon77]

Brunelle definitely needed to leave ND. Just buried on the lineup.

I thought Peoples was getting more time and working her way into a significant contribution. Seemed so in the NC St game.

Regarding Anaya Peoples: When she was starting, Sonia Citron would come in and replace her and Peoples would rarely get back in the game. However, when she went to the bench and Prohaska suffered head injuries, Peoples got to sub for a variety of the guards, which -- you correctly noted -- gave her more PT.
In fact, the Irish played best in the NC State game with a small lineup of Westbeld-Peoples-Citron-Miles-Mabrey.

However, I think she wanted a chance to be a starter and major contributor again, which I can understand. Citron took her starting spot and it wasn't coming back.

If a team needs a hard-nosed defender and rebounding guard who is a high character persona and teammate, Anaya's a great fit. I could see she or Abby filling the Cardano-Hilary role at IU or helping Shauna Green get Illinois started (Peoples is from Illinois).

Brunelle was recruited for and best suited to Muffet's motion offense. That's not what Niele Ivey runs and Maddy Westbeld, by far, suits that approach.

 

[Dillon77]

Notre Dame should have won. They outplayed NCST for most of the game.

Westbeld's two errant passes at the top of the key were just brutal. Telegraphed and lazy passes that were easily picked off by Crutchfield.

You speak truth, Cat. The second one raised my blood pressure. Such a shame for Westbeld, who did yeoman work in the second quarter when Dodson was out in foul trouble and she guarded Cunane.

 

[my2cents]

The problem with TBD players are all the unknowns. ND is in a great conference and unless they come from another great conference you never know how they will fit in, or accept new roles.

 

[Frankus]

You speak truth, Cat. The second one raised my blood pressure. Such a shame for Westbeld, who did yeoman work in the second quarter when Dodson was out in foul trouble and she guarded Cunane.

Down the stretch, NC State was able to up their pressure and we looked gassed and started making mistakes, which I believe are conditioning related. Whether this is due to too many minutes, a S&C problem or both I can’t say. Coach Ivey has to bring in quality players to give the starters breaks and improve S&C. I’m confident we’re going to improve with the portal trades. Really looking forward to next season. Thankfully we didn’t stand pat. Better days are ahead.

 

[UConnCat]

Regarding Anaya Peoples: When she was starting, Sonia Citron would come in and replace her and Peoples would rarely get back in the game. However, when she went to the bench and Prohaska suffered head injuries, Peoples got to sub for a variety of the guards, which -- you correctly noted -- gave her more PT.
In fact, the Irish played best in the NC State game with a small lineup of Westbeld-Peoples-Citron-Miles-Mabrey.

However, I think she wanted a chance to be a starter and major contributor again, which I can understand. Citron took her starting spot and it wasn't coming back.

If a team needs a hard-nosed defender and rebounding guard who is a high character persona and teammate, Anaya's a great fit. I could see she or Abby filling the Cardano-Hilary role at IU or helping Shauna Green get Illinois started (Peoples is from Illinois).

Brunelle was recruited for and best suited to Muffet's motion offense. That's not what Niele Ivey runs and Maddy Westbeld, by far, suits that approach.

I've always like Peoples and still believe she can make a significant impact in the right situation.

 

[UConnCat]

Cosgrove's father. Tweet like by fathers of Alli Campbell and Sam Brunelle.

 

[Plebe]

Cosgrove's father. Tweet like by fathers of Alli Campbell and Sam Brunelle.

"Continue to ask questions." Oh we will, Mr. Cosgrove, we will

 

[UConnCat]

Cosgrove's father. Tweet like by fathers of Alli Campbell and Sam Brunelle.

Erin Boley's mom liked it too!

 

[Dillon77]

I've always like Peoples and still believe she can make a significant impact in the right situation.

Agree. And very much a big contributor on campus (as were Prohaska and Brunelle, I might add).
Will be following her to see where she ends up and will wish nothing but the best.

 

[Frankus]

I wish Coach Ivey would make a public statement like Geno A:

“I don’t care if they leave. Players leave all the time. Coaches leave all the time. That’s life.”

She won't because she doesn't have the clout Geno has, and ND is too politically correct, but he's right.

I can't wait to see who Ivey brings in to augment the returning 4 (and perhaps 5) starting players.

 

[Orangutan]

Dodson's waiver was denied.

 

[Stymie]

Personally, I Love watching Olivia Miles play.
Smart with all of the weapons.

 

[Dillon77]

Dodson's waiver was denied.

Maya Dodson's grad year at ND was one of those win-wins for athlete and institution that go beyond expectations. Maya came from Stanford to ND with a track record as a solid defender and rebounder and certainly delivered those for the Irish. But she also developed a reputation as a solid contributor -- even a force in some games -- to the Irish offense. Off the court, she was a steady presence for the Irish and active in campus causes.

All power to Maya and Coach Ivey/Coach Owens (her post coach). ND will need to look for another post/big forward in the ever-expanding portal. If the Irish are lucky, they'll be able to write about this transfer in the same paragraph as Maya Dodson. Thanks and best of luck in the next phase of your career, Maya!

 

[Frankus]

All power to Maya and Coach Ivey/Coach Owens (her post coach). ND will need to look for another post/big forward in the ever-expanding portal. If the Irish are lucky, they'll be able to write about this transfer in the same paragraph as Maya Dodson. Thanks and best of luck in the next phase of your career, Maya!

Jessica Shepard is another data point in Coach Owens’ ability to take in quality transfer bigs and transition them into key parts of ND’s success.

 

[SECbbfan24]

Maybe it's just me, but gloating that a player's medical waiver was denied isn't a great look. I'm not sure the merits of her application were strong, but I feel for her nonetheless. And I say this as a fan of the team she abandoned ship from.

I was just joking (on @DefenseBB's behalf) but I'm honestly sad she doesn't get the chance to play another year. If she sat our because of concern for her health that one year I think she is deserving of another year (despite it being her 6th year). I am seeing kids in years 6 and 7 who got waivers for less...

But the NCAA isn't consistent across the board as we all know

 

[HuskyMJ]

Is Gilbert returning to ND? I know she had injuries but with Peoples and Brunelle leaving, if she can get healthy maybe she has a shot to contribute. A couple years back she did average double figures but its been nothing close since but that tells me she has it in her if healthy

 

[jbc021592]

Is Gilbert returning to ND? I know she had injuries but with Peoples and Brunelle leaving, if she can get healthy maybe she has a shot to contribute. A couple years back she did average double figures but its been nothing close since but that tells me she has it in her if healthy

No. There’s been speculation and now confirmed by WSBT radio show in South Bend that she’s not returning. I assume she’ll graduate and transfer. I think she has 1 year remaining.

 

[HuskyMJ]

No. There’s been speculation and now confirmed by WSBT radio show in South Bend that she’s not returning. I assume she’ll graduate and transfer. I think she has 1 year remaining.

Thanks, I did not realize that because I just assumed she would have entered the portal around the same time as the other ND players. I think May 1st is deadline for entry so if she was planning on waiting until she got her diploma that would be an interesting decision. Well with Bransford coming in maybe she would have had tougher time with minutes anyways

 

[Dillon77]

Is Gilbert returning to ND? I know she had injuries but with Peoples and Brunelle leaving, if she can get healthy maybe she has a shot to contribute. A couple years back she did average double figures but its been nothing close since but that tells me she has it in her if healthy

No. There’s been speculation and now confirmed by WSBT radio show in South Bend that she’s not returning. I assume she’ll graduate and transfer. I think she has 1 year remaining.

Kate could have two years (heck, possibly even more). She was granted a redshirt in 2018-19 and in her only full season,, 2019-20, was named to ACC All Freshman Team. She only played 9 games in 2020-21 (which was a freebie) and only got on the court for five games in 2021-22 due to injuries and personal reasons (This probably could be counted as a "non-year," but who knows with the NCAA?).

As @jbc021592 and I know/have commented, Kate and Anaya Peoples are tight (Anaya escorted Kate on Senior Night), so once Anaya announced her transfer, it was a pretty good bet, Kate was moving on. Will they try to play together at another school? Or will they see were the best opportunities -- academic, athletic or otherwise (Kate is graduating) -- lead them?

 

[Dillon77]

I was just joking (on @DefenseBB's behalf) but I'm honestly sad she doesn't get the chance to play another year. If she sat our because of concern for her health that one year I think she is deserving of another year (despite it being her 6th year). I am seeing kids in years 6 and 7 who got waivers for less...

But the NCAA isn't consistent across the board as we all know

Thanks for the explanation -- appreciate it. The NCAA rules, as written, made it pretty clear that Maya had played four years. Maya (and ND) felt there were some extenuating circumstances that merited another year. Obviously, the NCAA felt otherwise (at least last week they did).

As for my Boneyard colleague and friend, @DefenseBB , he hardly needs help in getting his points across!

 

[stamfordhusky]

Thanks for the explanation -- appreciate it. The NCAA rules, as written, made it pretty clear that Maya had played four years. Maya (and ND) felt there were some extenuating circumstances that merited another year. Obviously, the NCAA felt otherwise (at least last week they did).

As for my Boneyard colleague and friend, @DefenseBB , he hardly needs help in getting his points across!

Under NCAA rules, it was very clear she was not entitled to another year.

 

[DefenseBB]

On a more positive tract- we know Morgan Valley Is following Martinez and Niblack from WVU, Owusu from Maryland, Meyers’s from Princeton and Fields from Ok State. Do we know what players any of the Irish coaches have started to follow?

 

[Dillon77]

On a more positive tract- we know Morgan Valley Is following Martinez and Niblack from WVU, Owusu from Maryland, Meyers’s from Princeton and Fields from Ok State. Do we know what players any of the Irish coaches have started to follow?

Funny you should ask. I took a look at Michaela Mabrey's account and found two names: Brittany Smith of UCF and Kateri Poole of Ohio State. Poole, incidentally, is following Mabrey, ND WBB, Nat Marshall and incoming frosh KK Bransford.

I also found some new high schoolers of note, but I'll save that for a rainy day.