Notre Dame 2023-24 Season (merged)

[Dillon77]

Paris getting ready for Fighting Irish arrival:

 

[Dillon77]

And they're now in Paris, replete with new Under Armour wear as they see the sites. I'm sure S. Carolina will
sport tres bien threads as they hit the City of Lights.

 

[visitingcock]

And they're now in Paris, replete with new Under Armour wear as they see the sites. I'm sure S. Carolina will
sport tres bien threads as they hit the City of Lights.

We arrived early this morning. Contrasting colors!

 

[Dillon77]

We arrived early this morning. Contrasting colors!

Excellent!
Wonder if they'll have one joint meal beforehand (Niele, Dawn and Coach Owens -- ND's assc. head coach -- ate together a lot at the last World Cup).

 

[Dillon77]

Here we go: Game Day, featuring ND's resident French Speaker, Cass Prosper:

 

[Dillon77]

Excellent!
Wonder if they'll have one joint meal beforehand (Niele, Dawn and Coach Owens -- ND's assc. head coach -- ate together a lot at the last World Cup).

Well, maybe not a meal, but Niele and Dawn did meet up. Weather looks a tad brisk: you can tell what coach spends her time in chilly South Bend!

 

[Geew1992]

What’s up with KK? She’s out for the game

 

[MSGRET]

Well, maybe not a meal, but Niele and Dawn did meet up. Weather looks a tad brisk: you can tell what coach spends her time in chilly South Bend!

It looks a little too cold for me, I'll take Vegas weather any day over Paris and the rest of Europe. Can't believe I'm going to say this but, "Good Luck to both teams and may they get through the game injury free."

 

[DEpup]

Yeah are Prosper and Bransford having injury issues?

 

[Reypl21]

If ND didn't have Hidalgo in this game... yikes. The post is going to be a clear weakness all season, but Marshall did good in her minutes. Hopefully she gets more playing time, her jump shot looks nice.

I will have to rewatch the game because I was listening while at work and glancing at the game. I kept wondering why they weren't trying to get shots for their guards instead of driving in the paint. It sounded like they were just swatting everything down there in the 3rd quarter.

ND has a lot of work to do, especially the guards. They won't play too many teams that athletic this season, but still.

 

[GamecockFam]

Good game! You've got a good one in Hidalgo. Does any think she may move to the 2 spot once Miles returns to the game? I can't see her coming off the bench.

 

[Reypl21]

Good game! You've got a good one in Hidalgo. Does any think she may move to the 2 spot once Miles returns to the game? I can't see her coming off the bench.

They should start both of them IMO. DeWolfe would be a good back up guard. Miles is a better passer than Hidalgo, but Hidalgo is a better shooter. I think both starting can be electric, plus ND needs an elite 2 guard to play with Citron at the 3.

 

[LwrcasefaN]

Notre Dame seems to currently have a chemistry and fitness problem. They looked gassed.

 

[Dillon77]

First, congrats to @visitingcock and his South Carolina Gamecocks for taking a one-point deficit at the 1st quarter mark, then lapping the Irish (a few times).

• Think Coach Ivey is ruing that she left the 2-3 zone for man to man at the start of the 2nd quarter. Cardoso got free, hit a few and gained confidence from there on in, choice of defense be damned.
• Hidalgo's great 1st half might've been a bit of a curse in retrospect. Like many a frosh, she thought she could win this a shoot-first P:G rather than an all-round PG. Miles had this issue in her first half year. Need her to manage the team, too.
• S. Carolina keeping a person on Citron who was effectively neutralized (12 pts for Soni isa win for Dawn).
• Paopao is going to love being on this team....

Some points:

• KK Bransford is, indeed, hurt. Could've used her athletic ability.
• Nat Marshall looks be finally over a string of injuries that plagued her early ND career. Fine jumper and looks to pass.

Short-term future:

• Now with that behind them, ND can look to work on all sorts of things from half-court offense to getting KK Bransford back.
• Need to get Cass Prosper's stroke (of any kind) in gear. Great athlete.

Down the Road:

• When Miles comes back, it's pretty obvious to many that she'll take over the primary ball handling responsibilities, while Hidalgo shifts to off guard. This will automatically add 5 to 6 points to anything Citron is doing.
• Thank any deity that Kate Koval is coming to ND so the Irish can have a tall and solid post, which we have not had since Jess Shepard.

Paris was a great promotion and experience, but I'll settle for going to NJIT's cool new building to see the Irish try against them on Sunday. Hey, it's the little things and -- woohee -- it's also a long season.

 

[Dillon77]

If ND didn't have Hidalgo in this game... yikes. The post is going to be a clear weakness all season, but Marshall did good in her minutes. Hopefully she gets more playing time, her jump shot looks nice.

I will have to rewatch the game because I was listening while at work and glancing at the game. I kept wondering why they weren't trying to get shots for their guards instead of driving in the paint. It sounded like they were just swatting everything down there in the 3rd quarter.

ND has a lot of work to do, especially the guards. They won't play too many teams that athletic this season, but still.

I'd suggest watching the game. Take a read of my input, which comes from watching it unfold in real time.
Believe it or not, I think Hannah's tremendous success might've hurt a bit in the second half in that she tried to ISO very often and was driving a bit too deep underneath. Yes, Watson should've given up the drives and set screens to allow Sonia to drive off them.

However, it's the first game of the season and ND will not run into as athletic a team with a premier center for quite some time.

While we all wish Olivia Miles is coming back, I'd settle for KK Bransford getting on the court to add her brand of defense, rebounding and coolness under pressure.

 

[victor64]

Dillon, Miles is cleared to play but is not? How come?

 

[GoChips20]

Dillon, Miles is cleared to play but is not? How come?

I caught that on the broadcast, too. If it was indeed an ACL (which I think has all but been confirmed), that’s FAST.

I’d love to see her back but think it’s good if she’s holding out awhile. Today’s end result aside, Hidalgo looks fully capable of running the team in her absence.

 

[Blue Huskie]

What I was most surprised at was ND lack of post defense. Sure SC looks awesome but ND did nothing to keep Cardoso out of the lane. She just camped out under the basket and got lob passes. You can't let that happen.

 

[Dillon77]

What I was most surprised at was ND lack of post defense. Sure SC looks awesome but ND did nothing to keep Cardoso out of the lane. She just camped out under the basket and got lob passes. You can't let that happen.

Blueballer:
I think ND did an ok job in the first quarter with the 2-3 zone. Watson would be behind her and Citron and Westbeld would collapse from the wings.
When Ivey decided to shake things up in the 2nd, she went to a man to man and -- you're right -- nothing but Watson or Westbeld, both of who were outmanned. By the time, she went back to zone. Cardoso was in sync. Candidly, for a team that is familiar with her from Syracuse days, I was more than a little surprised at this (Plus, they had all summer to prepare...they knew what was coming.)

Also, I would've like to have seen more timeouts advising the Irish not to rush their shots or drive willy nllly into the lane...it just led to fast breaks the other way. This could be the maturation process of Hidalgo. Live and learn.

 

[Geew1992]

Dillon, Miles is cleared to play but is not? How come?

Is she cleared? I didn’t hear anything so I’m not questioning. I do know there is still a question of her red shirting this year. Maybe a slip of the tongue??

 

[Dillon77]

Dillon, Miles is cleared to play but is not? How come?

@Geew1992
From the ND sources, I've heard she's cleared to practice. However, Coach Ivey (and anyone associated with the team) says it's up to her and her doctor (straight from a lawyer's mouth to Sonia Citron, probably her closest teammate). Most of us believe this was a serious injury along ;the lines of an ACL, and the idea of her being back now after surgery in April/May is usually unthinkable. Think of players who have had ACL's, from Bri Turner to Paige Bueckers, and it took awhile to get up to speed.

We haven't seen any pictures of her in group activities in practice, so I''m thinking she's at the start of the practice proposition. If Miles can really come back this season, I'm guesstimating the ACC part of the season. Would love to be wrong here, but I'm going all Missouri: show me.

I also think there's a possibility of her red-shirting, which is also a story gaining posts. I'd love to have 'Liv back to play with Hannah Hidalgo and Soni Citron in what would be a dynamite backcourt, but want 'Liv to do so when she's ready and able.

 

[rubymae4]

Believe it or not, I think Hannah's tremendous success might've hurt a bit in the second half in that she tried to ISO very often and was driving a bit too deep underneath.

I agree. My impression of Hidalgo was that she is very talented, but she’s not a point guard in college without a lot of work. I’m not surprised by that—what a game to debut as a freshman in the PG position. She‘s definitely comfortable 1v1 and when she learns to balance that with court vision and playing within the system, she’ll be a great asset to ND. Talented kid and I liked her confidence.

 

[Dillon77]

Canada's Off to the Olympics by virtue of winning the first two games in the FIFA Qualifying Tournament.
ND alum Natalie Achonwa, the Canadian National Team's captain, and Cassandre Prosper, currently on ND WBB, were part of this team.
Prosper will miss ND's game vs. NJIT on Sunday to participate in the tourney.

 

[jake0414]

Canada's Off to the Olympics by virtue of winning the first two games in the FIFA Qualifying Tournament.
ND alum Natalie Achonwa, the Canadian National Team's captain, and Cassandre Prosper, currently on ND WBB, were part of this team.
Prosper will miss ND's game vs. NJIT on Sunday to participate in the tourney.

Not a big surprise that Canada qualified for the FIBA OQT in February 2024. The team took the Bronze Medal at the 2023 Americup this past summer finishing behind Gold Medalist Brazil and Silver winning Team USA.

Aaliyah Edwards started for Team Canada at Americup. I’ve wondered if she’ll play in the FOQT in China in Feb. Same weekend as the UConn @ So Carolina game.

 

[Dillon77]

Not a big surprise that Canada qualified for the FIBA OQT in February 2024. The team took the Bronze Medal at the 2023 Americup this past summer finishing behind Gold Medalist Brazil and Silver winning Team USA.

Aaliyah Edwards started for Team Canada at Americup. I’ve wondered if she’ll play in the FOQT in China in Feb. Same weekend as the UConn @ So Carolina game.

That's a tough decision for Edwards and UConn.
I think it was a relatively easy for Coach Ivey and Prosper. With all due respect for the NJIT Highlanders, ND should be able to find "next women up" for that assignment. Take it from any Irish fan, S. Carolina is a different story, particularly for a forward like Edwards. All hands on deck would be my thought.

 

[cancontent]

Canada's Off to the Olympics by virtue of winning the first two games in the FIFA Qualifying Tournament.
ND alum Natalie Achonwa, the Canadian National Team's captain, and Cassandre Prosper, currently on ND WBB, were part of this team.
Prosper will miss ND's game vs. NJIT on Sunday to participate in the tourney.

Clarification required here. The goal of the Olympics aren't guaranteed in this phase. They need to do well in China.

Not a big surprise that Canada qualified for the FIBA OQT in February 2024. The team took the Bronze Medal at the 2023 Americup this past summer finishing behind Gold Medalist Brazil and Silver winning Team USA.

Aaliyah Edwards started for Team Canada at Americup. I’ve wondered if she’ll play in the FOQT in China in Feb. Same weekend as the UConn @ So Carolina game.

My gut feeling is no. My thinking is with this potentially being her final season, her focus will be on UConn.

 

[Dillon77]

Hannah Hidalgo Named ACC Rookie of the Week

She's averaging 28.5 points per game on 46% overall shooting (50% from three), but the eye grabber is 15 steals in two games, including 12 against NJIT Highlanders yesterday, tying the dozen swiped against Valparaiso by one Marina Mabrey.

Congrats, Hannah.

Hidalgo named ACC Rookie of the Week

fightingirish.com

 

[Dillon77]

Ukrainian Koval Officially Also "Irish" Now

Kateryna “Kate” Koval, a 6-5 post who ranks as the No. 5 overall recruit in the 2024 class per the ESPN HoopGurlz Rankings, is originally from Ukraine but plays her high school basketball at Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.).

Key Quote from Coach Ivey of ND:
“She’s skilled, versatile and extremely competitive. Kate has the ability to dominate on the block but also step out and shoot from the perimeter. Her excellent passing and very high IQ and motor will complement our style of play and identity perfectly. The impact she will make on our program will be immediate and massive.”

Next Steps for Irish (in Roster Building);

- There was a lag in Koval signing her LOI (happened last week, according to LuHI) which most Benchers thought was due to Coach Ivey waiting to hear of Mackenly Randolph's decision. Our gut is that -- while there's no word from Randolph -- she'll go to Louisville or Michigan State.

- This last (edited) paragraph in the attached press release indicates ND strategy for the forward position:
"Notre Dame currently has four forwards on the team: Becky Obinma, Nat Marshall, Kylee Watson and Maddy Westbeld. Marshall, Watson and Westbeld each have an extra year of eligibility, should they choose to use it."

- Think the Irish would love to have all of them come back, particularly Westbeld, who has played the forward position for four years.
Watson is strictly a center, but Marshall can play both. The Irish could then work on signing a forward in the Class of 2025, with forward Leah Macy from Kentucky and the Irish showing a lot of mutual interest in each other.

- Possible projected starting lineup in 2024-25: Olivia Miles, Hannah Hidalgo, Sonia Citron, Maddy Westbeld, Kate Koval.

Five-star post Kate Koval is Irish

fightingirish.com

 

[Dillon77]

Notre Dame Rout Over Northwestern Marred by 3rd Qtr. Injury to Sonia Citron

After scoring 19 points in the first half and adding another 4 in the third quarter, Sonia Citron's knee was hit by teammate Cass Prosper, who fell into it. Citron lied on the floor for a few minutes, while the ND team huddled and the arena went silent.

ND went on to (more than) double up N'Western, 110-52. Citron's 23 and Hidalgo's 21 led the Irish, who had 5 players in double figures.
Everyone on the Irish scored and KK Bransford made her first appearance of the year. Still, it's a bittersweet win for the Irish, who have to wait on a report for the player Niele Ivey refers to as the "glue" of her Irish squad.

Best to Soni.

 

[Geew1992]

Notre Dame Rout Over Northwestern Marred by 3rd Qtr. Injury to Sonia Citron

After scoring 19 points in the first half and adding another 4 in the third quarter, Sonia Citron's knee was hit by teammate Cass Prosper, who fell into it. Citron lied on the floor for a few minutes, while the ND team huddled and the arena went silent.

ND went on to (more than) double up N'Western, 110-52. Citron's 23 and Hidalgo's 21 led the Irish, who had 5 players in double figures.
Everyone on the Irish scored and KK Bransford made her first appearance of the year. Still, it's a bittersweet win for the Irish, who have to wait on a report for the player Niele Ivey refers to as the "glue" of her Irish squad.

Best to Soni.

Ugh…. Way too many injuries. Let’s hope it isn’t serious