Notre Dame 2023-24 Season (merged)

[DallasDomer]

Curious whether ND fans expect to see Miles this year? I’d think not as we pass the halfway mark of the season.

If she does sit out until the fall, it does seem kind of odd that ND floated her possibly being ready for the SC season opener.

I don't recall ND saying she might be ready more the fans and the media to hype games. Coach Ivey gives no useful into player availability. Even when Westbeld was head butted into a concussion there was nothing about her being out then nothing about her coming back. Very frustrating.

 

[DallasDomer]

I don't recall ND saying she might be ready more the fans and the media to hype games. Coach Ivey gives no useful into player availability. Even when Westbeld was head butted into a concussion there was nothing about her being out then nothing about her coming back. Very frustrating.

I heard the announcers say that Olivia said she won't play this year. That's second hand but I doubt the misunderstood.

 

[Frankus]

A good victory for the Irish. I don’t know if Nielle thought this game in prime time was better for the brand, but we clearly were more prepared and played so much better than the Syracuse game. Perhaps it will help with recruiting. It doesn’t erase the lousy Syracuse performance for me.

It was a bit bittersweet, because of the two best eligible players-Bueckers and Miles- one looked like a shadow of herself and the other is hoping to recover. Women’s basketball has to do a deep look into why sublime high school players become scar tissue warriors in college. Just when these players should be peaking, they are lying on surgical tables. It’s a huge problem.

I don’t know if the UCONN fans thought that because we are both Catholic schools, UCONN would roll ND like they did Marquette, but Hannah Hidalgo disabused them of that notion. She was clearly the best player on the floor.

Nielle sat DeWolfe for long periods of the game. I hope this is a permanent decision.

Maddy and Soni played great, one as a consistent scorer and the other as a lock down defender. For the most part they made good decisions and played within themselves, which is what you’d expect from veteran players.

It was a nice offensive game for Nat Marshall, though besides Edwards, UCONN has no inside players. The ACC will continue to challenge ND’s bigs problem.

Somebody on McGraws Bench said that sometime teams need more than one wake-up call and that perhaps the Syracuse game was final one. Although I’d like to believe this game was proof that this team has received its wake-up call, I’ll be unconvinced unless we can hammer Louisville and NC State. Due to injuries UConn is a hollow shell of a team. We’ll see, but I believe our inability to pound the glass is still our Achilles heal.

 

[Dillon77]

A good victory for the Irish. I don’t know if Nielle thought this game in prime time was better for the brand, but we clearly were more prepared and played so much better than the Syracuse game. Perhaps it will help with recruiting. It doesn’t erase the lousy Syracuse performance for me.

It was a bit bittersweet, because of the two best eligible players-Bueckers and Miles- one looked like a shadow of herself and the other is hoping to recover. Women’s basketball has to do a deep look into why sublime high school players become scar tissue warriors in college. Just when these players should be peaking, they are lying on surgical tables. It’s a huge problem.

I don’t know if the UCONN fans thought that because we are both Catholic schools, UCONN would roll ND like they did Marquette, but Hannah Hidalgo disabused them of that notion. She was clearly the best player on the floor.

Nielle sat DeWolfe for long periods of the game. I hope this is a permanent decision.

Maddy and Soni played great, one as a consistent scorer and the other as a lock down defender. For the most part they made good decisions and played within themselves, which is what you’d expect from veteran players.

It was a nice offensive game for Nat Marshall, though besides Edwards, UCONN has no inside players. The ACC will continue to challenge ND’s bigs problem.

Somebody on McGraws Bench said that sometime teams need more than one wake-up call and that perhaps the Syracuse game was final one. Although I’d like to believe this game was proof that this team has received its wake-up call, I’ll be unconvinced unless we can hammer Louisville and NC State. Due to injuries UConn is a hollow shell of a team. We’ll see, but I believe our inability to pound the glass is still our Achilles heal.

It's all match-ups. Look at Citron for instance: she's obviously not back from her knee strain/sprain and Syracuse's Fair -- with her constant motion, jab steps and step-backs, is tough to guard. Buecker's has a game that is more linear and direct, somewhat like Soni's. So, it'was a bit easier. Also, Niele was smart about doubling in the paint and going to a zone to rest Citron, Hidalgo and Westbeld, who all played 40 minutes and scored but 10 of the Irish points.

I'll tweak your last thought: the Irish inability to keep other teams from pounding the glass is the weak point. And 'Cuse has the right kind of team to do that.

 

[Dillon77]

This was, in a microcosm, the play for the Irish all night, along with the pick and roll to Maddy Westbeld.

 

[Dillon77]

I heard the announcers say that Olivia said she won't play this year. That's second hand but I doubt the misunderstood.

It's confirmed and I (have always) believe(s) that this was Miles' decision -- as is her wont -- and Niele was doing a not-so-good job of toeing the line. When the exact cause comes out, I'll be it's an ACL or MCl and those take a good year to come back. Luckily, HH is here. ND can reload next year with 'Liv, Soni and HH in the same backcourt. Plus Ms. Koval stepping into the paint.

 

[LoTrader]

Irish handled UCONN. As good as Bueckers & Edwards are, the rest of the team is very young, & were no match for the Irish even at Gampel. The parity factor shows up again, and perhaps UCONN could win at Notre Dame if there was a rematch. Always a case of is UCONN overrated? Is Notre Dame underrated? I don't think either, I just think "on a given night".

 

[Frankus]

It's all match-ups. Look at Citron for instance: she's obviously not back from her knee strain/sprain and Syracuse's Fair -- with her constant motion, jab steps and step-backs, is tough to guard. Buecker's has a game that is more linear and direct, somewhat like Soni's. So, it'was a bit easier. Also, Niele was smart about doubling in the paint and going to a zone to rest Citron, Hidalgo and Westbeld, who all played 40 minutes and scored but 10 of the Irish points.

I'll tweak your last thought: the Irish inability to keep other teams from pounding the glass is the weak point. And 'Cuse has the right kind of team to do that.

I think more than just Syracuse is a matchup problem team that will beat us on the boards. The ACC is full of fast, athletic teams, not to mention the SEC. Nielle’s got to bring in reinforcements. Kovall is not enough imo.

 

[JellyBean]

Hats off to Notre Dame on the win yesterday. Great game and Hannah is that PLAYER!! Wow! She is a Big Time player. ND is going to be scary good when Olivia gets back out there next year. Holy smokes and if Coach Ivey gets Koval to come in next year playing at a high clip...yikes!!

 

[Dillon77]

I think more than just Syracuse is a matchup problem team that will beat us on the boards. The ACC is full of fast, athletic teams, not to mention the SEC. Nielle’s got to bring in reinforcements. Kovall is not enough imo.

Frankus: Syracuse is a specific example of the kind of team that gives the current iteration of Notre Dame trouble.
It's not as if Niele isn't aware of this: that's why she recruited Cass Prosper (out injured) and is after Makenley Randolph, who are those tall, athletic wings that you're referencing.

However, I'll tell you that having an adept, powerful center makes a major difference, particularly with guards like Miles, Hidalgo and Citron feeding her. I don't want to look too far into the future, but if she can give some aspects of Jess Shepard or Ruth Riley, that helps. A lot.

If Randolph does not land Randolph that she'll have to hit the portal to find back-up for Prosper.

 

[Frankus]

Frankus: Syracuse is a specific example of the kind of team that gives the current iteration of Notre Dame trouble.
It's not as if Niele isn't aware of this: that's why she recruited Cass Prosper (out injured) and is after Makenley Randolph, who are those tall, athletic wings that you're referencing.

However, I'll tell you that having an adept, powerful center makes a major difference, particularly with guards like Miles, Hidalgo and Citron feeding her. I don't want to look too far into the future, but if she can give some aspects of Jess Shepard or Ruth Riley, that helps. A lot.

If Randolph does not land Randolph that she'll have to hit the portal to find back-up for Prosper.

Dillon: I know, but if Cass comes back healthy I hope she plays inside more. She had way too much leeway when she played. Until her basketball skills catch up to her athleticism, I hope she fills a rebounding/defense/putback’s role.

I never count on Freshman, as so much is based on potential. I have no idea about Koval, but she looks slow to me right now and will need time to develop imo. I hope I’m wrong. We need abother domnant rebounder now and definitely next year.

We also need another quick guard.

All of my thoughts are based on watching SC and LSU. We’ll be athletic enough to play with that type of balanced team skill in the backcourt next year. I hope we can match them in the front court.

 

[DallasDomer]

Nice touch from Taurasi congratulating Hannah after the game. Stewart either didn't see her or wasn't interested. I still didn't like the 2Q interview but that was the announcers not her.

 

[Dillon77]

Nice touch from Taurasi congratulating Hannah after the game. Stewart either didn't see her or wasn't interested. I still didn't like the 2Q interview but that was the announcers not her.

DT is a disruptive guard who appreciates a fellow instigator.

 

[Dillon77]

In-Depth Article on ND's "Soni" Citron

betting.odds' Marck Schindler provides a long profile on Citron, covering everything from her rise in AAU (yes, Caroline Ducharme factors into it) and how/when she met Olivia Miles to how she was recruited (hard) by Niele Ivey and Michaela Mabrey. And, yes, she and Miles did talk about being a package deal, which you often hear rumors about but rarely see put in action. Ivey, Mabrey, her parents, Miles and teammate (and one of her best friends) Nat Marshall are all interviewed. Ivey still draws parallels with Jackie Young and Citron.

Thanks to bohratom at The Bench for the initial post.

https://www.bettingodds.com/us/news/the-many-layers-of-notre-dame-s-sonia-citron

 

[Dillon77]

Hannah Hidalgo Interviewed by Rebecca Lobo, Andraya Carter on ESPN
...day after the UConn-ND game and she discusses the two-man game she had with Maddy Westbeld, Soni Citron's subtle contributions and what drives her; all while being pretty humble about the whole process.

Notre Dame Athletics | The Fighting Irish

The Official Athletic Site of The Fighting Irish. The most comprehensive coverage of Notre Dame Athletics on the web with highlights, scores, game summaries, and rosters. Powered by WMT Digital.

fightingirish.com

 

[DallasDomer]

ND gets another big game at Louisville on Thursday. Massey has it Louisville by 1.5, Her Hoops has it ND by 1, don't know the Vegas line but they usually go with home team. Looking at the Uconn common oppo nent scores it's ND by 39? I doubt that but I'm optimistic for a solid win.

I don't want to start the Miles/Cochran/Hailey Van Lith injury debate again but I think it will be a motivation for the Irish. There's been a standing fan feud since their coach refused to remember Arike's name and would only say Asia Durr's name. So to the grudge holders like me he is the coach who shall not be named. Plus the Uconn game gave ND a lot of confidence.

The only concern is playing in the Yum center, what a name! It's a tough venue but no worse than Storr's?

 

[cancontent]

ND gets another big game at Louisville on Thursday. Massey has it Louisville by 1.5, Her Hoops has it ND by 1, don't know the Vegas line but they usually go with home team. Looking at the Uconn common oppo nent scores it's ND by 39? I doubt that but I'm optimistic for a solid win.

I don't want to start the Miles/Cochran/Hailey Van Lith injury debate again but I think it will be a motivation for the Irish. There's been a standing fan feud since their coach refused to remember Arike's name and would only say Asia Durr's name. So to the grudge holders like me he is the coach who shall not be named. Plus the Uconn game gave ND a lot of confidence.

The only concern is playing in the Yum center, what a name! It's a tough venue but no worse than Storr's?

Don't bring it up if you don't want to start anything.

 

[DallasDomer]

Don't bring it up if you don't want to start anything.

So you don't think having Olivia Miles knocked out for an entire season won't "be a motivation for the Irish" particularly when Miles is sitting on the bench watching?

That's an awfully strange position to take. Perhaps my statement that "I don't want to start the Miles/Cochran/Hailey Van Lith injury debate again" leads you to think I'm not convinced Olivia would be playing today if not for those two (one of whom is still playing), I just don't want to repeat an argument that already happened. There's enough new stuff to discuss but if you really want to go again that's fine.

 

[cancontent]

So you don't think having Olivia Miles knocked out for an entire season won't "be a motivation for the Irish" particularly when Miles is sitting on the bench watching?

That's an awfully strange position to take. Perhaps my statement that "I don't want to start the Miles/Cochran/Hailey Van Lith injury debate again" leads you to think I'm not convinced Olivia would be playing today if not for those two (one of whom is still playing), I just don't want to repeat an argument that already happened. There's enough new stuff to discuss but if you really want to go again that's fine.

There's a difference in how you're framing it now compared to your previous posts where you pointed the finger at two players and implying there was intent to injure. Several posters disagreed and you bluntly said you didn't want to discuss it anymore.

No one knows what the team's motivation is for this game other than getting a win over a conference rival. If they want to win for Olivia because she's out, that's fine and understandable.

You could have simply framed it as they want to win one for their "Gipper" and left at that. To reference a theory that you have no proof of being true, is more of a sign that you want to bring it up again more than me. Again, if you don't want to discuss it, don't refer to it in the first place.

 

[cancontent]

So you don't think having Olivia Miles knocked out for an entire season won't "be a motivation for the Irish" particularly when Miles is sitting on the bench watching?

That's an awfully strange position to take. Perhaps my statement that "I don't want to start the Miles/Cochran/Hailey Van Lith injury debate again" leads you to think I'm not convinced Olivia would be playing today if not for those two (one of whom is still playing), I just don't want to repeat an argument that already happened. There's enough new stuff to discuss but if you really want to go again that's fine.

There's a difference in how you're framing it now compared to your previous posts where you pointed the finger at two players and implying there was intent to injure. Several posters disagreed and you bluntly said you didn't want to discuss it anymore.

No one knows what the team's motivation is for this game other than getting a win over a conference rival. If they want to win for Olivia because she's out, that's fine and understandable.

You could have simply framed it as they want to win one for their "Gipper" and left at that. To reference a theory that you have no proof of being true, is more of a sign that you want to bring it up again more than me. Again, if you don't want to discuss it, don't refer to it in the first place.

 

[Dillon77]

I'm taking a very, very straight-forward approach on the Notre Dame vs. Lousiville games:

• There's not a lot of love lost between these two teams for various reasons, some of which pre-date Coach Ivey taking over the helm, some of which don't.
• Coach Ivey acknowledged the Irish have a huge February and will endeavor to take on the challenges by taking/playing them one game at a time, which makes a lot of sense. Guess what, Coach Walz's squad also have a big month, so the first of this home and home will be big.
• Here's my take on who is here and who isn't: Olivia Miles was injured in that game last year. In her immediate absence, Sonia Citron delivered one of her greatest games in an Irish uniform, carrying ND to the regular-season title.
• That was then, this is now: Miles is on the sideline until next season; Citron is working her way back from her own knee injury and the Irish are led by the freshman hurricane, Hannah Hidalgo.
• All said, I think Maddy Westbeld -- who is building a strong case as a draft-ready forward -- might be the key to the Irish in both games, from a scoring, rebounding and all-round play.

Should be the usual Irish-Cardinal battle.

p.s. And yes, the "Yum" Center still sounds strange, but that's commercialism.

 

[Frankus]

I'm taking a very, very straight-forward approach on the Notre Dame vs. Lousiville games:

• There's not a lot of love lost between these two teams for various reasons, some of which pre-date Coach Ivey taking over the helm, some of which don't.
• Coach Ivey acknowledged the Irish have a huge February and will endeavor to take on the challenges by taking/playing them one game at a time, which makes a lot of sense. Guess what, Coach Walz's squad also have a big month, so the first of this home and home will be big.
• Here's my take on who is here and who isn't: Olivia Miles was injured in that game last year. In her immediate absence, Sonia Citron delivered one of her greatest games in an Irish uniform, carrying ND to the regular-season title.
• That was then, this is now: Miles is on the sideline until next season; Citron is working her way back from her own knee injury and the Irish are led by the freshman hurricane, Hannah Hidalgo.
• All said, I think Maddy Westbeld -- who is building a strong case as a draft-ready forward -- might be the key to the Irish in both games, from a scoring, rebounding and all-round play.

Should be the usual Irish-Cardinal battle.

p.s. And yes, the "Yum" Center still sounds strange, but that's commercialism.

That’s a tough place to play. I haven’t watched them this year, but Louisville plays hard and is usually very physical. I don’t know about their bigs, but we give up a lot of offensive rebounds. We need all three of Soni, Maddy and Hannah to shoot well.

 

[cancontent]

That’s a tough place to play. I haven’t watched them this year, but Louisville plays hard and is usually very physical. I don’t know about their bigs, but we give up a lot of offensive rebounds. We need all three of Soni, Maddy and Hannah to shoot well.

I think ND has the advantage in this area this season. The transfer and late 2023 recruit Louisville added haven't much impact from what I've seen in their games.

 

[Bone Dog]

I think ND should win big in this one, though the L'ville front court may pose more matchup problems than UConn's did. But Hannah and Soni should have big games.

As for whatever rumor is being spread about 'intentional' injury grudges, it would be easy enough (and tedious enough) to recycle old resentments about KK Bransford shoving Aaliyah into Azzi last year. Perhaps it's best for ND fans to let sleeping dogs lie.

 

[Dillon77]

I think ND has the advantage in this area this season. The transfer and late 2023 recruit Louisville added haven't much impact from what I've seen in their games.

Kiki Jefferson, the 6'1" wing who came over from James Madison, is leading the Cardinals in scoring.
I think she's often on the court as a front-court complement to Post Olivia Cochran. She's got solid two-level talent (OK three-pt. shooter), but transfers Sydney Taylor and Jayda Curry will bomb away from three-pt land. ND knows both from prior years when they were at UMass and Cal, respectively.

I can see ND switching man-to-man and 2-3 zones. Could see Soni Citron on Jefferson, but if Jefferson has to match up on Maddy Westbeld on defense, that will be an Irish +.

Taylor and her UMass guards had a hard time with Dara Mabrey and Soni in the NCAA's. I can only imagine what she'll think of Hidalgo.