Notre Dame 2024-25 Season

[Ladeeeeda]

I don’t disagree.

But I will say that the media and fans quickly get caught up in what have you done for me lately and over react. Think about the last few weeks of the ACC. UNC rises up to 8th in the nation after beating State while Duke drops games to State, ND and Louisville. FSU knocks off ND on the road.

Suddenly it seems Duke is on the outs. UNC is making a push for a 2 seed and FSU is a dark horse coming together at the right time. Fast forward another week or so and UNC drops games to Duke and UVa to close out the season. FSU loses to Duke at home. And now perception changes again.

I think truth be told there is a lot of parity. Notre Dame, State, Duke, FSU - there isn’t a ton of difference. Any of those teams can beat the other. Heck, UNC Louisville and GT are capable when they play to their ceiling.

ND has hit a rough patch but their 3 losses are to State and Duke (2 top 10 teams and both away from home) and FSU, a top 25 team who leads the nation in scoring and has the nations leading scorer running point. I mean none of those are embarrassing it’s just the timing of them all.

The Irish have played themselves out of a 1 seed no doubt, but would anyone be shocked to see them in the final four? I wouldn’t. Bottom line is they have 3 absolute studs and another 2 All ACC forwards all in the starting line up. They are plenty talented. UCLA, SC, USC, Texas … everyone has had their moments this year where they aren’t world beaters and show signs of weakness. The national tournament is going to be wide open IMO.

Sure, this is all trye......but did you see the ND presser.....coach was audible struggling to put sentences/words together....she seemed very, very frustrated

 

[WBBTakeover]

The Irish have played themselves out of a 1 seed no doubt, but would anyone be shocked to see them in the final four?

Shocked, no. Stunned? No. Mildly surprised? Yes. They seem to have a BIG problem as of late. Westbeld clearly isn't the same as she was when she was in peak form last year (which is unfortunate), Koval wasn't developed properly (contrast that with the way Wes and his staff developed Trygger and Awou), and Karlen is at a size and athleticism disadvantage against contenders (she is in over her head a bit).

There also appears to be a power struggle involving the guards.

That said, they have a golden opportunity to make us all forget about this last stretch by winning 4+ games in the tourney. It's doable.

 

[Frankus]

Duke Thoughts:

When your five most experienced players-Westbeld/King/Karlen/Citron and Miles-score a combined 26 points, you're not going to win many games.

King and Westbeld scored 0 points. Zero.

Ivey is getting paid big bucks to make tough decisions, and she's got a tough one regarding Westbeld, who has scored 26 points total in the past 5 games, and is 2-11 fom 3 point range.

Edit: I don't think this team plays zone defense well. With its athleticism, there's no reason not to be a man defense team.

 

[GamecockFam]

Duke Thoughts:

When your five most experienced players-Westbeld/King/Karlen/Citron and Miles-score a combined 26 points, you're not going to win many games.

King and Westbeld scored 0 points. Zero.

Ivey is getting paid big bucks to make tough decisions, and she's got a tough one regarding Westbeld, who has scored 26 points total in the past 5 games, and is 2-11 fom 3 point range.

Edit: I don't think this team plays zone defense well. With its athleticism, there's no reason not to be a man defense team.

As much as I love Westbeld's game, she tends to get neutralized by more athletic or taller players.

 

[Dillon77]

As much as I love Westbeld's game, she tends to get neutralized by more athletic or taller players.

@Frankus
There's a pretty strong school of thought that Westbeld isn't all the way back from whatever that foot surgery was just before the season. She was never the quickest of players, but her footwork -- both offensively and defensively -- was always sound and she knew how to take angles on defense. Last season, she was exceptional at the high post, working with Hidalgo and Citron.

Now, she's getting beat by speed and "in your face" players like Suarez, which is not a good sign. She and Miles are routinely taken out on defense which, of course, hinders offense on the other end.

Still, ND played well enough -- heck, their biggest wins came -- when Kate Koval started at center against USC, Texas and UConn.
Ivey can either work her preferred group over the next week and a half, or make a tough decision on lineups.

However, I'd rather have this mini-slump happen in the conference tournament. They'll still get two games scheduled at home, which should help.

And I think Ivey and Mabrey (who should be chief game planner from here on out), should work up some off-ball plays and screens to help Citron and Miles out.

 

[Frankus]

As much as I love Westbeld's game, she tends to get neutralized by more athletic or taller players.

I've always seen her as a bit of a tweener, but was hoping as she's become leaner (knowing she's not a 5) that she would be a dangerous 4, both as a 3 point shooter off of screens, and a finisher on drives at the basket.

The way they use her as a 4, she never rolls to the basket on screens, she steps out for 3 point shots. Unfortunately, she's missing those 3 point shots, missing bunnies at the rim when she drives to the basket, and occasionally gets the ball stripped when driving. It may be, as you suggest, that more athletic players hurry her game to an athletic level that isn't comfortable for her.

Whatever it is, times running out, and with King a better rebounder and defender, and Koval being a better threat to score on high-low passes in the paint, Ivey has to decide if they deserve more time on the court together.

It's frustrating to watch Westbeld struggle so much, and it must be heartbreaking for her.

 

[Frankus]

@Frankus
There's a pretty strong school of thought that Westbeld isn't all the way back from whatever that foot surgery was just before the season. She was never the quickest of players, but her footwork -- both offensively and defensively -- was always sound and she knew how to take angles on defense. Last season, she was exceptional at the high post, working with Hidalgo and Citron.

Now, she's getting beat by speed and "in your face" players like Suarez, which is not a good sign. She and Miles are routinely taken out on defense which, of course, hinders offense on the other end.

Still, ND played well enough -- heck, their biggest wins came -- when Kate Koval started at center against USC, Texas and UConn.
Ivey can either work her preferred group over the next week and a half, or make a tough decision on lineups.

However, I'd rather have this mini-slump happen in the conference tournament. They'll still get two games scheduled at home, which should help.

And I think Ivey and Mabrey (who should be chief game planner from here on out), should work up some off-ball plays and screens to help Citron and Miles out.

We must have been posting at the same time @Dillon 77.

I agree that Maddy doesn't appear at peak athleticism. I don't see two weeks helping Maddy to be the offensive force we all want her to be. I hope I'm wrong.

I think Miles should be the point, with off ball screens for Hannah, Citron. We need either King or Karlen to be sharp in high-low passes to Koval if that's the lineup.

Also, Hannah get steals taking risks when she sees the ball go slightly loose, but the downside is that she sometimes is out of position when she misses, and doesn't always get back on fast break defense. That needs to be fixed.