Notre Dame 2024-25 Season

[DallasDomer]

Yahoo sports says ND has moved up to #2 in the AP poll. UConn fell to #7.

No. 2 Notre Dame women have best ranking in 6 years behind UCLA, South Carolina drops to 4th

Notre Dame moved up to No. 2 in The Associated Press women's basketball Top 25 on Monday for the Irish's best ranking since 2019. The Fighting Irish replaced South Carolina in the second spot behind UCLA after the Gamecocks lost 66-62 to Texas over the weekend. It is Notre Dame’s best ranking...

sports.yahoo.com

I thought I was getting he first report but it's showing up everywhere now. Here's the full list.

AP Top 25 Women's College Basketball Poll

The official page for the AP Top 25 women's college basketball poll. Keep up to date and view the latest NCAA women's basketball ranking updates each week for the 2023-24 season.

apnews.com

 

[Dillon77]

Yahoo sports says ND has moved up to #2 in the AP poll. UConn fell to #7.

No. 2 Notre Dame women have best ranking in 6 years behind UCLA, South Carolina drops to 4th

Notre Dame moved up to No. 2 in The Associated Press women's basketball Top 25 on Monday for the Irish's best ranking since 2019. The Fighting Irish replaced South Carolina in the second spot behind UCLA after the Gamecocks lost 66-62 to Texas over the weekend. It is Notre Dame’s best ranking...

sports.yahoo.com

First time in six years -- since 2019 -- the Irish have been ranked this high.
That was the team of Ogunbowale/Mabrey/Young/shepard/Turner that got to the national championship game.

 

[visitingcock]

How so? I'm not challenging (ignore that Golden Dome to the left). I'm interested in what you think was "overstated."

• Cal is a ranked team and the Irish just got up to 5th gear in the second period and ran away with it.
• A Stanford team that was within two possessions of Louisville until the last 90 seconds got whacked by nearly 50 points.

The now-missing post I was responding to used superlative statements regarding those two teams that were unwarranted that treated them like contenders, they are not, Stanford may not even make the tournament. Cal will probably end up borderline

They were average P-4 wins. One okay (barely Quad 1), one a bit below average (quad 2))

 

[Dillon77]

The now-missing post I was responding to used superlative statements regarding those two teams that were unwarranted that treated them like contenders, they are not, Stanford may not even make the tournament. Cal will probably end up borderline

They were average P-4 wins. One okay (barely Quad 1), one a bit below average (quad 2))

Thanks for the explanation regarding your reply.

From a tourney perspective I can see your point. But I don't rate games merely by what they're going to theoretically "get" for them in the postseason. To quote that noted Hoops Honcho, Hamlet: The play's the thing! (Which is where I come from as a guy who still plays regularly and coached for years.) ND was on cylinders this extended weekend and, if you are an Irish fan, it was a joy to behold.

"Barely" Quad 1 or Quad 2, I really don't care at this point. But that's the joy of this board: you can view it from one perspective and I can from another. May the twain sometimes meet.

 

[DallasDomer]

Thanks for the explanation regarding your reply.

From a tourney perspective I can see your point. But I don't rate games merely by what they're going to theoretically "get" for them in the postseason. To quote that noted Hoops Honcho, Hamlet: The play's the thing! (Which is where I come from as a guy who still plays regularly and coached for years.) ND was on cylinders this extended weekend and, if you are an Irish fan, it was a joy to behold.

"Barely" Quad 1 or Quad 2, I really don't care at this point. But that's the joy of this board: you can view it from one perspective and I can from another. May the twain sometimes meet.

It seems when SC beats Wofford (Massey #165) by 93-47 that's a great win but when anyone beats Stanford (#43) by 49 or Cal (#34) by 39 it's just another run of the mill meaningless win. Or maybe Texas 66 SC 62 along with Texas having lost to ND by 10 in OT might have spread some negativity through the basketball world? I'm just guessing but perhaps the joy will return at a later date. :-D

 

[visitingcock]

It seems when SC beats Wofford (Massey #165) by 93-47 that's a great win but when anyone beats Stanford (#43) by 49 or Cal (#34) by 39 it's just another run of the mill meaningless win. Or maybe Texas 66 SC 62 along with Texas having lost to ND by 10 in OT might have spread some negativity through the basketball world? I'm just guessing but perhaps the joy will return at a later date. :-D

It seem???

Who has EVER claimed that South Carolina beating Wofford is a great win? Name one poster! Wofford was scheduled for political reasons

What gets talked about are the ten Quad one wins. Few teams have even played ten quad 1 teams. SCar has played 12. ( to be honest though, ND played a good schedule. )

 

[DallasDomer]

It seem???

Who has EVER claimed that South Carolina beating Wofford is a great win? Name one poster! Wofford was scheduled for political reasons

What gets talked about are the ten Quad one wins. Few teams have even played ten quad 1 teams. SCar has played 12. ( to be honest though, ND played a good schedule. )

I was attempting to discuss how perceptions of wins can change after losses with Dillon77. You're welcome to chime in but understand that I was pointing out that all 50 ish point wins are not perceived the same for many reasons.

I will add that I wish the NCAA would release or clarify the NET algorithm I'd be more comfortable discussing quad wins. Warren Nolan publishes very detailed information about NET but admits he can't figure out the algorithm and hates the secrecy.

NET Ranking - Women's College Basketball | WarrenNolan.com

2025 Women's College Basketball NET Ranking: NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) a ranking of teams based on five factors, team value index, net efficiency, winning percentage, adjusted winning percentage, and scoring margin.

www.warrennolan.com

 

[visitingcock]

Yes. Tj

I was attempting to discuss how perceptions of wins can change after losses with Dillon77. You're welcome to chime in but understand that I was pointing out that all 50 ish point wins are not perceived the same for many reasons.

I will add that I wish the NCAA would release or clarify the NET algorithm I'd be more comfortable discussing quad wins. Warren Nolan publishes very detailed information about NET but admits he can't figure out the algorithm and hates the secrecy.

NET Ranking - Women's College Basketball | WarrenNolan.com

2025 Women's College Basketball NET Ranking: NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) a ranking of teams based on five factors, team value index, net efficiency, winning percentage, adjusted winning percentage, and scoring margin.

www.warrennolan.com

Yes, the NET algorithm needs more clarity. I cannot see ( for example) how UConn can be ranked above Notre Dame and U$C. Or SCar above UCLA

Thankfully, the Quads will be used to correct errors this year. Unfortunately we don’t know exactly how it will be used. In order to keep myself as objective as possible I use a personally created scoring system for close call - and these top four teams are VERY Close.

In my system, an undefeated team, if any, with the most quad one wins is number one.

Second . As score is assigned to the remaining teams. For each quad one victory a team receives two points. For each quad one loss, a point is subtracted. For each quad two victory a team receives one point. For each quad two loss two points are subtracted. Quad 3/4 wins get no points added for wins, but three or four points respectively are subtracted for losses in those quads.

The results are:; at this time;

1. UCLA no losses 19 points

2. SCar 21 points
3. Texas 20 points
4. Notre Dame 16 points
5. LSU 14 points
6. U$C 13 points

8, UConn, Duke, Kentucky tied at 7th with 8 points each

 

[Dillon77]

ND Defeats Pitt on Road, 88-57

Despite a sub-par shooting night, from Hannah Hidalgo (3-17), ND scored 49 points in the first half behind the near-perfect shooting of Sonia Citron and Oliva Miles.

Miles tied the school record for made three's (8-13} en route to a 28-pt. night, while also dishing 5 assists and grabbing 7 boards.
Citron scored 22 on 8-9 shooting (4-5 from three and the miss rimmed out), while grabbing 10 rebounds.
Hidalgo had 5 assists while still causing havoc defensively, notching 7 steals.

Khadija Faye, the Texas transfer, led Pitt with 23 points (10-21 from the field) and 16 rebounds. She's tough and could get a shot in the W at the power forward position. Absolute pro-ready body and not scared to use it.

The Irish return home to face Duke on Monday at 6 p.m. in an ESPN game.

p.s. The other person that made 8 threes is not named McBride, Mabrey or Ogunbowale, but is Sheila McMillan, who did so in the lates 1990's.

 

[DallasDomer]

ND Defeats Pitt on Road, 88-57

Despite a sub-par shooting night, from Hannah Hidalgo (3-17), ND scored 49 points in the first half behind the near-perfect shooting of Sonia Citron and Oliva Miles.

Miles tied the school record for made three's (8-13} en route to a 28-pt. night, while also dishing 5 assists and grabbing 7 boards.
Citron scored 22 on 8-9 shooting (4-5 from three and the miss rimmed out), while grabbing 10 rebounds.
Hidalgo had 5 assists while still causing havoc defensively, notching 7 steals.

Khadija Faye, the Texas transfer, led Pitt with 23 points (10-21 from the field) and 16 rebounds. She's tough and could get a shot in the W at the power forward position. Absolute pro-ready body and not scared to use it.

The Irish return home to face Duke on Monday at 6 p.m. in an ESPN game.

p.s. The other person that made 8 threes is not named McBride, Mabrey or Ogunbowale, but is Sheila McMillan, who did so in the lates 1990's.

Hidalgo only had 11 and Notre still scored 88 points and won by 31, this is an awesome scoring team because Westbeld ran afoul of the refs and barely played.

On the threes record I would have guessed Alicia Ratay and been laughed out of here. Apologies to Sheila McMillen for forgetting her performance in February 1998.

 

[Dillon77]

Hidalgo only had 11 and Notre still scored 88 points and won by 31, this is an awesome scoring team because Westbeld ran afoul of the refs and barely played.

On the threes record I would have guessed Alicia Ratay and been laughed out of here. Apologies to Sheila McMillen for forgetting her performance in February 1998.

Somebody in "Romper Room" (the in-house ND chat room for McGraws Bench) noted that with this crew of refs, it was good ND had three bigs because -- at one point -- they all had three fouls. Otherwise, Cass Prosper would've been center!
For ND, 8 active players is a lot!

 

[DallasDomer]

Somebody in "Romper Room" (the in-house ND chat room for McGraws Bench) noted that with this crew of refs, it was good ND had three bigs because -- at one point -- they all had three fouls. Otherwise, Cass Prosper would've been center!
For ND, 8 active players is a lot!

If you compare what Pitt's Khadija Faye was doing (for example Westbeld's bloody nose) with what any of Koval, Karlen, or Westbeld were doing and getting fouls called it did not appear equitable all the time. I guess this is an example of home cooking. Does ND get the benefit too? If so I haven't noticed it but I could be wrong, am I?

 

[cancontent]

Courtesy of the Las Vegas Aces social media team

 

[Reypl21]

If you compare what Pitt's Khadija Faye was doing (for example Westbeld's bloody nose) with what any of Koval, Karlen, or Westbeld were doing and getting fouls called it did not appear equitable all the time. I guess this is an example of home cooking. Does ND get the benefit too? If so I haven't noticed it but I could be wrong, am I?

Faye was really good yesterday. She was getting our bigs in foul trouble. I hope Kate can be that physical post up presence next year

 

[Dillon77]

View attachment 107000

Courtesy of the Las Vegas Aces social media team

You go, Jackie!

 

[Frankus]

The Pitt game was good evidence that our best scorer can have an off night, yet we have other scorers who can pick up the slack. Olivia and Sonia were superb.

I thought it was interesting that when Pitt cut the lead to 13, and Nielle called time out, she designed a play for Liatu to score. It worked.

There was another good out of bounds play where the ball was inbounded to Kate
at the elbow, who passed to Karlen at the other side of the elbow, as Hannah set a pick baseline for Sonia who caught the pass from Karlen for an easy score. Just perfect execution.

Bring on Duke. Gonna see it live, which will be fun. Weather permitting, I'm hoping for a big crowd

 

[triaddukefan]

 

[DallasDomer]

So you'll be waiting in the parking lot? Might be a little cold, you should buy a ticket.

 

[Dillon77]

Some morning-after thoughts on the Duke-ND game:
As is my wont, I like to stare at the stat sheet, look at the pressers to compare against whatever lingering ideas from a game are in my head. Here goes:

- A few might recall that recruiting for Duke guard/forward Jadyn Donovan pretty much came down to ND and Duke, with Donovan citing Coach Lawson as a main reason for choosing Duke. The sophomore reminds me a lot of Liatu King, but kind of in reverse role: she's 6'0" tall and could/should(?) be a guard, but really plays like a forward. Both are superb rebounders and disruptors in the paint. While King usually scores, Donovan tends to shine on defense....last night she had 4 blocks: very long arms and good timing will do that. She can't shoot worth a lick outside of the foul line, which she very much needs to work on, but you can see the value she brings to a pretty small Duke team.

- Toby Fournier, Duke's leading scorer and rebounder played 19 minutes, but I thought the Irish would've seen more of her. Maybe Lawson felt she was getting outhustled/muscled on the boards by King and Koval.

- Had to laugh at -- and admire -- Coach Lawson's attention to detail in the post-game presser. She knew what Irish player was all-conference and their specific year of eligibility. She then weaved that into why the Irish are so tough to guard when some "lead dog" knows what to do, even if they are the 4th or 5th option. Witness Liza Karlen's only basket of the game: a three-pointer to beat the shot clock and effectively close the door on the game.

- Save for rushing some bunnies and an ill-advised lefty hook in her first of two playing stints, one could see exactly why 6'5" Kate Koval helps -- and will really help the Irish in years to come -- the Irish. She helped clog the middle and keep Dookies from driving. Then she went ballistic in the third with 4 offensive rebounds and two excellent baskets. If she just keeps working out and doing the reps and she'll be a monster to other teams.

Lastly, two quick thoughts on #11.

- During in-game commentary, many of us were hoping to get the ball to Soni via back door cuts or finding her in open areas. Liza did that with a great pass to a cutting Soni from the top of the keyl
But what I really liked is when Coach Ivey did the equivalent of what lacrosse guys/gals call inverts. Soni, who usually sets up on the arc by the baseline, came around to pick up the ball and either use a high screen and/or penetrate for a drive or mid-range. Good imagination to get her freed up.

- You can see what Coach Ivey is offering so many 6'1" all-round guards who are athletic and have three-level games (Abii, Bjorn, etc.). They help teams so much. But do they have Citron's attitude and, dare I say, heart? That's a major differentiator.

 

[Frankus]

It was a loud, raucous crowd last night at the Purcell Pavillion. The first half was close due to some fine guard play by Taina Mair, who scored 11 of Duke's 27 points, and lots of missed layup and some sloppy passing by the Irish. Maddy had a nice outside shooting half, but every time we seemed to get some momentum a sloppy play, or missed layup occurred in our half court game. Hannah continued to struggle with her ouside shot despite good looks. More than a few times she looked down at her right hand. I don't know if she's nursing an injury or what.

At half, I thought we couldn't have played worse and they couldn't have shot better. The beginnng of the second half proved me right as we had a 17-1 run all based on transition play. The crowd was wild, and I was surprised Lawson didn't call a second timeout today to stop our run. Hannah was all over Mair in the second half and wore her out. It cannot be understated how quick and disruptive she is defensively.

Fournier had her way offensively with Maddy, but Kate came in and intimidated her with her size, while hitting the layups she missed in the first half and being a force on the offensive boards. It was the most dominant she's looked overall as a big that we so badly need.

Everyone else contributed in different ways: Olivia leading the break on the 17-1 run, Sonia being solid all game long shooting, rebounding and running on the break, Liatu doing her Dennis Rodman hustle thing despite not scoring much, Cassandra adding valuable bench minutes on the O boards and defensively and Liza hitting the 3 to put the game away.

I'm still concerned about the fact that neither Karlen or Maddy are much of a force inside. Both can hit the 3 though. Maddy is still struggling to score when she gets inside. Hopefully she can improve down the stretch. Her outside shot is fine. Hannah's outside shot woes is a mystery, but she's a dog going to the basket, and did not force her outside shot at the expense of the team.

I'm not sure if that was a second tier officiating crew, but they were awful.

 

[triaddukefan]

 

[WBBTakeover]

This is cute--I like it!

 

[Dillon77]

Since February, Notre Dame has held its six opponents to an average of 53 points per game, and that included Louisville scoring 71 points while losing to the Irish at home on Feb. 2nd. Since then, the Irish have really clamped down, holding opponents to 47, 52, 57, 49 and 42 points.

As well-known as the Irish are for their downhill transition game, led by guards Olivia Miles, Hannah Hidalgo and Sonia Citron, the unsettled situations that enable those fast breaks come about because of defense and rebounding. It starts, of course, with Hidalgo, who harasses the opposition's primary ball handler, which allows the other Irish to get right and tight on possible outlets and passing lanes. Citron, in particular, is adept at jumping and anticipating forced passes. And when shots go up, the Irish rebound: Liatu King is averaging 10.7 rebounders per game. Commentator Deb Antonelli wanted the Irish guards to get 15 rebounds per game. Here you go: Miles - 6.1 rpg; Citron - 5.6 rpg; and, Hidalgo - 5.1 rpg.

What's interesting is that Hidalgo has been in a bit of a shooting slump since returning from a two-game break due to a turned ankle/foot. While the shot has been off, she's still got her pedal to the metal in all other aspects.

Indicative of this, ND beat Miami 82-42 last night in a game that was never close. Senior guard Sonia Citron led all scorers with 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the field. She also added eight rebounds, two steals and a block. Liatu King racked up 13 rebounds and points. On the offensive end, Olivia Miles dished 6 assists, at least of which were of the "did I see that?" variety.

Will be interesting to see the Irish D take on NC State in Raleigh. The Wolfpack is a team that uses 4 guards and -- like the Irish -- love to run downhill. Should be a good one: Stay tuned.

 

[Dillon77]

Current Irish Supported by "Domers" (ND alums) in Miami

During the ND win over Miami last night, if one looked in the row behind the ND bench, you might've blinked and said "Did I see...:??" And you did. Since the Unrivaled league is based in Miami, former Irish players who are in that league came to see the Irish last night, including Skylar Diggins-Smith, Arike Ogunbowale, Jackie Young and Marina Mabrey. Jewell Loyd was allegedly there, too, but no in the locker room. Julie Henderson, a former Irish player, fashion model and one of Coach Ivey's best friends was also there, as she often is. All of these players get to games and practices when they can.

Diggins-Smith addressed the team in the locker room (see link). The current Irish will go to Unrivaled tonight (Friday) before flying to Raleigh to play NC State on Sunday.

 

[DallasDomer]

Since February, Notre Dame has held its six opponents to an average of 53 points per game, and that included Louisville scoring 71 points while losing to the Irish at home on Feb. 2nd. Since then, the Irish have really clamped down, holding opponents to 47, 52, 57, 49 and 42 points.

As well-known as the Irish are for their downhill transition game, led by guards Olivia Miles, Hannah Hidalgo and Sonia Citron, the unsettled situations that enable those fast breaks come about because of defense and rebounding. It starts, of course, with Hidalgo, who harasses the opposition's primary ball handler, which allows the other Irish to get right and tight on possible outlets and passing lanes. Citron, in particular, is adept at jumping and anticipating forced passes. And when shots go up, the Irish rebound: Liatu King is averaging 10.7 rebounders per game. Commentator Deb Antonelli wanted the Irish guards to get 15 rebounds per game. Here you go: Miles - 6.1 rpg; Citron - 5.6 rpg; and, Hidalgo - 5.1 rpg.

What's interesting is that Hidalgo has been in a bit of a shooting slump since returning from a two-game break due to a turned ankle/foot. While the shot has been off, she's still got her pedal to the metal in all other aspects.

Indicative of this, ND beat Miami 82-42 last night in a game that was never close. Senior guard Sonia Citron led all scorers with 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the field. She also added eight rebounds, two steals and a block. Liatu King racked up 13 rebounds and points. On the offensive end, Olivia Miles dished 6 assists, at least of which were of the "did I see that?" variety.

Will be interesting to see the Irish D take on NC State in Raleigh. The Wolfpack is a team that uses 4 guards and -- like the Irish -- love to run downhill. Should be a good one: Stay tunned.

The Irish defense was excellent for most of the game, it took Miami over 5 minutes to even score their first basket. The lead built to 20 in the second quarter and it was all downhill from there.

I was concerned about Cavinders but they combined for only 14 points. Citron, Hidalgo, Miles, and Prosper pressured them all night and the times they were able to break free they didn't hit the shot.

A couple of times Miles got into a kind of gallop up the court which I didn't like and lead to a couple of turnovers. Hidalgo played good defense and a couple of times it looked like her shot was coming back, I hope she solves it before Sunday. Westbeld got hit in the face and got a bloody nose in the Pitt and Duke games but I'm pleased she escaped without Miami drawing blood.

NC State is Sunday and they are a better team than Miami but they almost lost to them last week. I expect ND to win but by how much depends on Hidalgo's shooting, foul trouble.