I am glad the old, happy and positive TonyC is back but I completely disagree with this assessment of ND. While out-maneuvering Lindsay Gottlieb in tactics is not complicated, Niele Ivey has proven to be a "master tactician" in game planning. Let me say that again- Niele Ivey is a master tactician in game planning. We lost last year to ND 82-67 after having a 12 point lead in the 2nd quarter, in 2022-23 We lost 74-60 in another game not really that close.
Simply put, we have no one to keep up with Hannah Hidalgo. Frankly, this is where KK should be given the role simply to try to make Hannah work hard on both ends of the floor. Kaitlyn Chen was built to play against the mid-major type teams of FDU, BU and even USF but against the P4 competition, she's simply not fast enough nor a good enough outside shooter. As we saw yesterday, Citron played against Juju for most of the game and did a good job of containing her during the critical parts of the game. I expect to see Citron on Paige which means we need all the others to step up and hit big shots-that means Ash, Sarah, Ice, Jana, Azzi, KK and Kaitlyn. The difference with Citron guarding Paige vs. Juju is Paige can pass but we can't miss those open jumpers like we have been. They need to fall for us to compete.
I am optimistic as Ice has been better on Defense so she can help Sarah neutralize both Koval and King but we need offense from both and we need Azzi to contain Miles.
Do not take this ND squad lightly which is what I fear threads like this continue to do. Similarly to the over-exuberance of averaging 90 points per game, we need a dose (and a heavy dose) of reality that we will have to play up to our capabilities and far better than we have played to this point in the season. Geno and his staff also need check, double check and triple review their game plan for whatever contingencies are needed to counter Niele Ivey's plans. We are 0-2 the last two years vs. ND so....and don't give me the "we have been injured" as ND has had similar injury issues. Good teams find a way to compete, great teams find a way to win. Just don't lose by double digits like we have each of the past 2 years. Consider this a warning shot across the bow from a season ticket holder and an annual donor to the team (I am not some missive scribing token fan).