Notre Dame 2025-2026 Regular-Season Thread.

[Dillon77]

Didn’t see the game. Prosper only played 15 minutes. Was she hurt? Or did her going 0 for 7 get her benched?

Foul trouble very early on, but when Ivey reinserted her, she was missing chippies and forcing things. Ivey reinserted Bransford to play alongside Cowles or Sanchez. This was a classic Hidalgo Experience, augmented by a solid, solid game by de Jesus.

 

[Frankus]

Foul trouble very early on, but when Ivey reinserted her, she was missing chippies and forcing things. Ivey reinserted Bransford to play alongside Cowles or Sanchez. This was a classic Hidalgo Experience, augmented by a solid, solid game by de Jesus.

I couldn't agree more, which is why it is so vital for HH to return and for us to bring in a couple of veteran outside shooters like deJesus and Moore in the portal for next year. When HH is playing within her shooting range-where she is still capable of 30 point games- and kicking out to capable shooters, we are at our most dangerous. Kudos to Prosper and Bransford for playing tough defense, but their development as go to scorers just hasn't happened.

 

[cancontent]

Random tidbit passed onto me by a friend who is better at keeping up with Canada Basketball goings on. Wasn't aware Sangha was raised in Toronto before moving to Florida. She's in consideration for the Canadian U18 squad this summer and will be attending tryouts this month.

 

[Frankus]

An impressive win again against NC State. I did not expect a blowout, and was concerned that HH and I Moore scored almost all the points in the 1st half. I expected a tight third quarter, particularly as Prosper continued to play with zero confidence in the 1st half. Then, she does a 360 in the second half, we continue shooting well , the defense stifles State and it was over. Looking forward to the Duke game, but concerned about fatigue.

 

[Frankus]

Thoughts after a tough loss to Duke:

One of the strategic changes for the better that I’ve seen this year from coach Ivey is controlling the tempo. In the past she was always urging her team to push the tempo, which often resulted in out of control shots. She’s got the best guard in the country to control tempo and as a result we’ve seen better half court possessions. We will live and die with Hannah consistently scoring and whether Moore, de Jesus (and sometime Prosper/Sanchez) hit open outside jumpers. HH’s ability to collapse defenses gives them ample opportunities to get good looks. They’ve got to knock them down.

We got into trouble in the third quarter when we missed shots and Duke’s bigs beat ours down the floor for easy layups. One priority in the portal is to find an athletic big that can run the floor and score on the block.

Moore has become one of my favorite players. She genuinely enjoys and appreciates playing with Hannah and knows she’s going to get good looks. Her defense has improved. There’s a lot of joy in her game.

deJesus also has impressed me with her defensive grit and steady ball handling. If she an Moore can make the most of their shot opportunities we will be a tough out.

I’m not going to get into next year. It would be so much fun if Cass could string multiple games where she plays great for 4 quarters. I’m not counting on it, but one can hope.

Cowles looks as healthy as she has all year. She battles. Bransford who I think is around 75% on her injured leg is battling as well.

We’re playing our best basketball as we head into the tourney. Here’s hoping it continues. Playing Duke that tough is a good sign.

 

[Dillon77]

ND Beats Ohio State 83-73 in Columbus To Advance to Sweet 16
I'd call this an upset except Coach McGuff's Buckeyes have now lost three at home three years running.
Nonetheless, the Irish came in to face OSU's press...and promptly forced the Buckeyes into 21 turnovers, led by -- who else? -- Hannah Hidalgo's 8 steals.
In addition to those 8 steals, she finished with 26 points and 11 rebounds. She had ample support: Vanessa de Jesus scored 15 points, Cass Prosper and Iyana Moore both scored 13 and KK Bransford came off the bench to score 10. In addition to causing the 21 turnovers (as opposed to their 15), ND also outrebounded the Buckeyes 36-31. Save for Else Lemmila, OSU runs four guards and the Irish could and did attack the lane.

Jaloni Cambridge was a one-person wrecking crew for the Buckeyes. She shot spectacularly (15-25 from field, 5-8 from three and 10-13 from FT) but also had 7 of OSU's turnovers. Lemmila had 9 points and 10 rebounds but only took 6 shots..

The Irish are now 24-10 and will await the winner of the Illinois vs. Vandy game.

 

[oldude]

ND Beats Ohio State 83-73 in Columbus To Advance to Sweet 16
I'd call this an upset except Coach McGuff's Buckeyes have now lost three at home three years running.
Nonetheless, the Irish came in to face OSU's press...and promptly forced the Buckeyes into 21 turnovers, led by -- who else? -- Hannah Hidalgo's 8 steals.
In addition to those 8 steals, she finished with 26 points and 11 rebounds. She had ample support: Vanessa de Jesus scored 15 points, Cass Prosper and Iyana Moore both scored 13 and KK Bransford came off the bench to score 10. In addition to causing the 21 turnovers (as opposed to their 15), ND also outrebounded the Buckeyes 36-31. Save for Else Lemmila, OSU runs four guards and the Irish could and did attack the lane.

Jaloni Cambridge was a one-person wrecking crew for the Buckeyes. She shot spectacularly (15-25 from field, 5-8 from three and 10-13 from FT) but also had 7 of OSU's turnovers. Lemmila had 9 points and 10 rebounds but only took 6 shots..

The Irish are now 24-10 and will await the winner of the Illinois vs. Vandy game.

I told you the Irish were not going to be welcome at whichever of the top 16 seeds were unfortunate enough to draw them. 😎

 

[Dillon77]

I told you the Irish were not going to be welcome at whichever of the top 16 seeds were unfortunate enough to draw them. 😎

I'm very pleased to admit you were right.
The Hannah Hidalgo Experience is fully in key right now. Look forward to a battle of the former Jersey stars: Hidalgo and ND and Blakes/Pissot and Vandy.

 

[oldude]

I'm very pleased to admit you were right.
The Hannah Hidalgo Experience is fully in key right now. Look forward to a battle of the former Jersey stars: Hidalgo and ND and Blakes/Pissot and Vandy.

Looking forward to the game. Certainly Vandy is the favorite. But the Irish and Hidalgo are scary right now, playing their best basketball of the season and capable of pulling off another big upset.

 

[ABCDFE]

Hannah Hidalgo is sooooo gooood