Thoughts/Analysis on the ACC heading into 2025-26

[Bone Dog]

Miles, Koval, and Risch were undoubtedly expected to play a major role on this year's team.

Another excellent analysis. Thanks again.

This particular remark really stands out for me. It’s not so much Miles, but Risch. She put in her time at ND and was poised to play a significant role in whatever they achieve. And yet she left. Unlike Miles, she’s not high on any GM’s eventual draft list. Her departure suggests she didn’t like it at ND and was willing to leave for what is likely to be a less prominent role at a lower profile school. This is not a good sign for Niele.

On the other hand, though I think you’re right that they may lose a lot of games, they are likely to be a tough out for any opponent. Irish pride is real and the kids who stayed will pass it on to the new arrivals.

 

[YoDore]

If I had to take a team that wasn't generally considered to be a contender to turn out to be one, it would be Duke.

To me UNC is team with a ceiling that's waiting on the transformational star.

Could be Kate Harpring, who arrives next season.

 

[triaddukefan]

Could be Kate Harpring, who arrives next season.

Simmer down buddy.

 

[Rooster C.]

Could be Kate Harpring, who arrives next season.

If - and it's a big if - NC doesn't suffer many key losses this next off season to the portal they certainly will have the pieces in place to surround her with. And we haven't yet seen what this years' crop of incoming freshman can do or who else she'll add to this years' recruits because there will definitely be more maybe even three more. (Sorry triaddukefan)

 

[FanInNC]

Banghart can recruit, no question.

 

[Jumper33]

Another excellent analysis. Thanks again.

This particular remark really stands out for me. It’s not so much Miles, but Risch. She put in her time at ND and was poised to play a significant role in whatever they achieve. And yet she left. Unlike Miles, she’s not high on any GM’s eventual draft list. Her departure suggests she didn’t like it at ND and was willing to leave for what is likely to be a less prominent role at a lower profile school. This is not a good sign for Niele.

On the other hand, though I think you’re right that they may lose a lot of games, they are likely to be a tough out for any opponent. Irish pride is real and the kids who stayed will pass it on to the new arrivals.

I believe Risch didn’t get much playing time when she was healthy which wasn’t often, definitely in need of a fresh start.

It’ll be interesting, I think ND could potentially be really bad. I still think Ivey seems like a class act person but this whole situation has gone really off the rails for her.

Hidalgo narrowly averaged more field goal attempts per game this past season than the previous one, despite being surrounded by Miles, Westbeld, King, and the newly minted Mystics rookie scoring record holder. She didn’t even wanna pass to players of that caliber, so how many shots is she going to take now? She became visibly frustrated on court with teammates of that caliber, so how frustrated will she be now?

Ok, that may be harsh, needless to say I’m not the biggest fan of Hidalgo’s playstyle. With all due respect of course because objectively she is one of the most talented players in the country. We’ll see what Ivey does with this roster.

 

[Rooster C.]

they are likely to be a tough out for any opponent.

I agree. Which is exactly why I referred to their likely being very similar to last years' FSU. FSU was in the Top 25 rankings most of the year (and in fact one of the only teams to defeat ND at home last season) and entered the NCAA tournament as a 6 - seed only to be destroyed by LSU in the 2nd round by 30. And Latson had 2 key teammates who had been playing with her for several years including Timpson who is now in the WNBA. I don't think Hidalgo has any players of that caliber on her team at the moment. Still they could finish as high as 5th in the conference - or as low as 10th.