Notre Dame 2024-'25 Post-Season Thread

[Dillon77]

So, ND has two transfers committed thus far to join Hannah Hidalgo, Cass Prosper and KK Bransford, so they can now field a team without walk-ons.
Looking for a minimum two -- possibly three -- more. Why? Incoming frosh Leah Macy is rehabbing after surgery for a lower leg injury (probably ACL). Given the recent history of past Irish ACL athletes, that takes a minimum of a year.

Stay tuned

 

[Bone Dog]

Isn’t the minimum 6 players?

 

[EricSD]

Depending on who ND gets, I wonder how far they will fall in their league. Maybe middle of the pack? a bit higher?

Gisela Sanchez from Kansas State and Malaya Cowles from Wake aren't exactly big names, so while I am sure they help, I'm not sure they move the dial up very much.

 

[Dillon77]

Isn’t the minimum 6 players?

Maybe even 7? Does it have to be scholarship players? If not, ND has two walk-ons remaining who are supposed to be back.
However, there's still time to get to 6 or 7 scholarship players.
Quite candidly, a lot of teams have had losses even greater than ND, but this was a confluence of:

• 4 players out of elgibilty
• 4 hitting the portal
• Only getting one HS commit the last two years; one of whom (Kate Koval) left after one year and the other suffered a leg injury (Leah Macy).

A unperfect storm. Coach Ivey -- and her AD/assistant AD overseeing WBB -- need to analyze what they're doing right/wrong. As Football Coach Marcus Freeman would say, "Question Everything."

 

[Zonepress]

Maybe even 7? Does it have to be scholarship players? If not, ND has two walk-ons remaining who are supposed to be back.
However, there's still time to get to 6 or 7 scholarship players.
Quite candidly, a lot of teams have had losses even greater than ND, but this was a confluence of:

• 4 players out of elgibilty
• 4 hitting the portal
• Only getting one HS commit the last two years; one of whom (Kate Koval) left after one year and the other suffered a leg injury (Leah Macy).

A unperfect storm. Coach Ivey -- and her AD/assistant AD overseeing WBB -- need to analyze what they're doing right/wrong. As Football Coach Marcus Freeman would say, "Question Everything."

seems really strange given the success and the ND
brand for Wbb to only have one recruit each of the last 2 years
any insight into why recruiting fell off?

 

[my2cents]

So with a pretty much AA backcourt, a # 3 pick and two other starters drafted into the WNBA. Isn't it safe to say the ND season accomplished so little with that kind of talent?

 

[TheFarmFan]

So with a pretty much AA backcourt, a # 3 pick and two other starters drafted into the WNBA. Isn't it safe to say the ND season accomplished so little with that kind of talent?

I mean, I think they accomplished a ton until February, and then really sputtered to end the season. But they beat the national champions (UConn), a final four team (Texas), and elite 8 team (U$C). Unfortunately they just sputtered down the stretch.

 

[Frankus]

seems really strange given the success and the ND
brand for Wbb to only have one recruit each of the last 2 years
any insight into why recruiting fell off?

I really have no idea. If I were to guess it was that they felt that using the portal with NIL was a better strategy than trying to recruit and save players. My other guess is that elite current portal players saw how ultimately underachieving the talent that ND had was in the tournament, and they are going to places where they think they have a better chance to both get paid well, and win it all.

Edit: That being said, both portal players that signed to ND last year didn't commit till May. There are still a few elite players available. I'm hoping Nielle can still sign a few.

 

[my2cents]

I mean, I think they accomplished a ton until February, and then really sputtered to end the season. But they beat the national champions (UConn), a final four team (Texas), and elite 8 team (U$C). Unfortunately they just sputtered down the stretch.

Too bad they don't have Geno's mentality. The season doesn't really start until the latter part of March and into April.

 

[cancontent]

So with a pretty much AA backcourt, a # 3 pick and two other starters drafted into the WNBA. Isn't it safe to say the ND season accomplished so little with that kind of talent?

Yes their season fell short, but are you asking this as a genuine question or to take shots at the program with UConn having the season they did?

Too bad they don't have Geno's mentality. The season doesn't really start until the latter part of March and into April.

1). No team has Geno's mentality and others haven't required it to be successful in their own way. That's the beauty of this sport.

2). While Geno's mentality is legendary and respected, how does it explain the 9 year gap in between titles? There were several times his teams came up short by the UConn standard.


It's totally fair to ask questions about ND's season but these comments come across as trolling.

 

[my2cents]

Yes their season fell short, but are you asking this as a genuine question or to take shots at the program with UConn having the season they did?

1). No team has Geno's mentality and others haven't required it to be successful in their own way. That's the beauty of this sport.

2). While Geno's mentality is legendary and respected, how does it explain the 9 year gap in between titles? There were several times his teams came up short by the UConn standard.


It's totally fair to ask questions about ND's season but these comments come across as trolling.

No team did as little with the talent they had than Notre Dame. The exodus they had after the season speaks to more problems with the program than I can state.
As for your other points, I was answering the other posts comments about they had a great season because they beat UConn (without Fudd by the way). Maybe they will put up a Banner for the accomplishment.
It was a 7 event gap between titles, as they did not play in 2020, and no one wins between 2024 and 2025. You would call an Olympic Gold medal winner having a 4 year drought between medals. In those 7 events, UConn made the final four 6 times, really a terrible job by Geno, regardless of a silly standard.
Lastly, there is enough UConn "hate" on the bench.
Lastly,

 

[donalddoowop]

I mean, I think they accomplished a ton until February, and then really sputtered to end the season. But they beat the national champions (UConn), a final four team (Texas), and elite 8 team (U$C). Unfortunately they just sputtered down the stretch.

I think ND peaked too soon. At one time I thought they were the best team in women's D1 basketball.

 

[Bone Dog]

I think ND peaked too soon. At one time I thought they were the best team in women's D1 basketball.

Me too. Once Maddy returned, and with the way Liatu was playing, on paper they looked like the best 5+2 in D1. They came out like gangbusters. But there were always potential problems. When Olivia came back there were questions about how she and Hannah would mesh. But they seemed to work it out quickly. It didn’t hurt that Olivia had improved her perimeter shooting a ton and Hannah was on a heater in the first two months. This meant it was really hard to pressure them, and the lane was wide open for Liatu who took excellent advantage of it. And Soni was rock steady.

When Maddy returned, she wasn’t her old self at first and this seemed to weigh on their team unity. Kate was pushed onto the bench which must have stung. And Liatu wasn’t as free in the lane anymore. It also surprised me that Cass wasn’t able to do more this season. I’m looking forward to see what she can do next season.

Anyway, if there were any team culture issues, they were probably masked by the early success. Once things got tougher, those issues (whatever they might have been) surfaced and we saw the aftermath of that in the subsequent implosion in the portal.

 

[cancontent]

No team did as little with the talent they had than Notre Dame. The exodus they had after the season speaks to more problems with the program than I can state.
As for your other points, I was answering the other posts comments about they had a great season because they beat UConn (without Fudd by the way). Maybe they will put up a Banner for the accomplishment.
It was a 7 event gap between titles, as they did not play in 2020, and no one wins between 2024 and 2025. You would call an Olympic Gold medal winner having a 4 year drought between medals. In those 7 events, UConn made the final four 6 times, really a terrible job by Geno, regardless of a silly standard.
Lastly, there is enough UConn "hate" on the bench.
Lastly,

So this is your justification? The rules on this board were created to ensure that UConn fans and others were respected. Many of us do so on both sides as much as possible. It's a reason I participate on this board exclusively over others.

No one disagrees with the point that the Irish came up short with the roster they had. No one denies that something was off with the team. At the same time, the tone taken wasn't necessary in my opinion to make those points.

 

[my2cents]

So this is your justification? The rules on this board were created to ensure that UConn fans and others were respected. Many of us do so on both sides as much as possible. It's a reason I participate on this board exclusively over others.

No one disagrees with the point that the Irish came up short with the roster they had. No one denies that something was off with the team. At the same time, the tone taken wasn't necessary in my opinion to make those points.

You were agreeing with me that their season " came up short"
Then you were the one with the attitude, 'are you asking as a genuine question or taking a shot at the team"
More attitude with "then how does it explain the 9 year gap between titles"
Then, per your opinion it came across as "Trolling".
More ND fans have taken shots at the team than I ever did.

 

[Dillon77]

Sorry, @triaddukefan ...but Ms. de Jesus will get a chance to play this way; something she probably wouldn't have with the arrival of Emilee Skinner, the talented frosh point guard.

 

[JellyBean]

I am hoping for the best for Coach Ivey and her coaching staff this off season.

 

[Dillon77]

I really have no idea. If I were to guess it was that they felt that using the portal with NIL was a better strategy than trying to recruit and save players. My other guess is that elite current portal players saw how ultimately underachieving the talent that ND had was in the tournament, and they are going to places where they think they have a better chance to both get paid well, and win it all.

Edit: That being said, both portal players that signed to ND last year didn't commit till May. There are still a few elite players available. I'm hoping Nielle can still sign a few.

Keep your faith, brother.
Based on who Coach Ivey has signed, they're three grad students who will be there for a sole season. If the trend continues, she's putting all her eggs into a 2025 class that she's worked heavily on. The worry is that Ivey -- for whatever reason -- has only signed one HS commit the last two years and one of those -- Kate Koval -- has left. I'm seriously hoping Coach Ivey and relatively new AD Pete Bevacqua have a constructive frank and thoughtful on how this can be addressed.

 

[azfan]

Keep your faith, brother.
Based on who Coach Ivey has signed, they're three grad students who will be there for a sole season. If the trend continues, she's putting all her eggs into a 2025 class that she's worked heavily on. The worry is that Ivey -- for whatever reason -- has only signed one HS commit the last two years and one of those -- Kate Koval -- has left. I'm seriously hoping Coach Ivey and relatively new AD Pete Bevacqua have a constructive frank and thoughtful on how this can be addressed.

I've been thinking about this a bit and it may be that signing high school students is only one method of building a collegiate team. It may not even be the best way to build a collegiate team in an era of transfer and nil.

Depending upon the ultimate resolution of revenue sharing and the capacity to continue to supplement through nil schools like ND might be much better off building roosters with established players rather than attempting to develop them.

 

[Dillon77]

I've been thinking about this a bit and it may be that signing high school students is only one method of building a collegiate team. It may not even be the best way to build a collegiate team in an era of transfer and nil.

Depending upon the ultimate resolution of revenue sharing and the capacity to continue to supplement through nil schools like ND might be much better off building roosters with established players rather than attempting to develop them.

Or a combination thereof, rather than one or the other.
Let's see how this particular origin-makeup works out.

The thought is provoking and I've thought of it, as well on many fronts.

 

[Bone Dog]

Personally, I think it’s way too early to write Niele off. The portal is okay, but especially if she isn’t limited to grad transfers and one-offs. She can rebuild from there.

 

[triaddukefan]

Sorry, @triaddukefan ...but Ms. de Jesus will get a chance to play this way; something she probably wouldn't have with the arrival of Emilee Skinner, the talented frosh point guard.

She would have played, but limited minutes most likely. Wished she would have gone to another conference, but as long as she is happy...I'm happy for her.

 

[WLT1717]

Keep your faith, brother.
Based on who Coach Ivey has signed, they're three grad students who will be there for a sole season. If the trend continues, she's putting all her eggs into a 2025 class that she's worked heavily on. The worry is that Ivey -- for whatever reason -- has only signed one HS commit the last two years and one of those -- Kate Koval -- has left. I'm seriously hoping Coach Ivey and relatively new AD Pete Bevacqua have a constructive frank and thoughtful on how this can be addressed.

 

[WLT1717]

Coach Ivey’s recruiting methods defy reason. What is she building? After this year’s meltdown and subsequent exodus why would 5 stars commit there en masse?

 

[saywho]

You were agreeing with me that their season " came up short"
Then you were the one with the attitude, 'are you asking as a genuine question or taking a shot at the team"
More attitude with "then how does it explain the 9 year gap between titles"
Then, per your opinion it came across as "Trolling".
More ND fans have taken shots at the team than I ever did.

C'mon, as an outsider that holds no allegiance to either team in this discussion, you were totally trolling and trying to take a cheap shot. You may not realize it, but you did. It's not too hard to see (and to most, its not too hard to admit when they're called out for something - particularly if not intentional).

 

[YoDore]

Incoming frosh Leah Macy is rehabbing after surgery for a lower leg injury (probably ACL). Given the recent history of past Irish ACL athletes, that takes a minimum of a year.

Stay tuned

Is Macy's injury to the same leg as the year before? I've seen you mention it along the way, but for some reason it wasn't clicking that it was a new injury. I hate to hear it. Coach Ralph recruited her for a couple years, so I've followed her along the way. Hopefully, she can get healthy and thrive.

 

[cancontent]

Coach Ivey’s recruiting methods defy reason. What is she building? After this year’s meltdown and subsequent exodus why would 5 stars commit there en masse?

Some were wondering the same with Walz a few seasons ago while Louisville went through a dry spell with recruit commitments. Then this past season he had 9. Sometimes the law of averages work out in funny ways.

 

[my2cents]

C'mon, as an outsider that holds no allegiance to either team in this discussion, you were totally trolling and trying to take a cheap shot. You may not realize it, but you did. It's not too hard to see (and to most, its not too hard to admit when they're called out for something - particularly if not intentional).

I was making a point about their season. The 'cheap shot' as you say, speaks more about their season than me pointing out the facts. How would you categorize how they finished? As a positive?

 

[Frankus]

Keep your faith, brother.
Based on who Coach Ivey has signed, they're three grad students who will be there for a sole season. If the trend continues, she's putting all her eggs into a 2025 class that she's worked heavily on. The worry is that Ivey -- for whatever reason -- has only signed one HS commit the last two years and one of those -- Kate Koval -- has left. I'm seriously hoping Coach Ivey and relatively new AD Pete Bevacqua have a constructive frank and thoughtful on how this can be addressed.

My worry is Admissions and NIL allocation. I believe Notre Dame wishes we were in an environment where ideally players stayed for 4 years, or at least two years after getting enough qualifying credits at another university. But that's not where college sports are now. So, if they're going to operate like football, the wbb team will only be able to access grad transfers. I'm also worried that, as a football school coming off a National Championship game performance, and where the truly big money is, that the NIL money allocation will be heavily leaning towards football, and that we're headed to a "football school" " basketball school" dynamic in college sports.

 

[UConnCat]

The pearl-clutching in this thread is something.

Back on topic, something clearly went awry in South Bend this season. This year's ND team was #1 in the country and on their way to a #1 seed and then the wheels started to become wobbly. At the end, ND didn't look like a connected team.

While many have talked about UConn's Big 3, Notre Dame had their own Big 3. Citron was selected #3 in the draft. Olivia Miles would have been top 5 had she declared. Hidalgo will be a top pick when she enters the WNBA draft. How does a team with that level of talent, and with a solid surrounding cast, drop to a 3-seed and lose in the S16? The disappointing end to the season has been made worse by the departures of a group of talented players who, with a key addition or two, could have formed the core of a title contender next season.

Ivey has her work cut out for her this spring and summer. First, she needs to fill out her roster in an environment where the top transfers are thus far looking elsewhere. Second, she needs to figure out what happened on the court and what happened (and maybe still is happening) off the court. As an outside observer, I think it all begins and ends with Hidalgo. Her exceptional talent is undeniable, but can she be the leader her team needs? Can she be a great teammate? When a teammate fumbles one of her passes will she show frustration (as she did this season) or will she pick that teammate up? Will other great players want to play with her? Addressing these types of questions is where coaching can and should make a difference.

As the saying goes, "your greatest strength is your greatest weakness."