UConn vs. Notre Dame (Match Up Analysis)

[Bone Dog]

Caitlin was the leading scorer in the game and scored her season average. How can that being considered as being shut down?

Yeah, she wasn't shut down. Players like her aren't ever really shut down.

But she was contained. In the end her scoring, like a defused time bomb, was rendered irrelevant.

 

[npignatjr]

Caitlin was the leading scorer in the game and scored her season average. How can that being considered as being shut down?

Scored less than her average, normally a 46% shooter was 9-24. And 2-11 from 3. And after 17 points in the first half, 8 second half.

 

[CocoHusky]

Scored less than her average, normally a 46% shooter was 9-24. And 2-11 from 3. And after 17 points in the first half, 8 second half.

Exactly! Caitlin was not "shut down" she was contained. She has been contained in both games against UCONN in her career.

 

[UConnCat]

Scored less than her average, normally a 46% shooter was 9-24. And 2-11 from 3. And after 17 points in the first half, 8 second half.

Scoreless in the 3rd quarter. Her only made 3s were with 2:24 and 1:53 remaining in the game with Iowa trying to come back from 9 and 10 points down. Mostly shut down in the 2nd half.

 

[PacoSwede]

....

Many of you are concerned about teams with height and all the tall players on opponents teams. Remember in most cases they all those tall players cant play at the same time. Typically tall players play inside. Remember when one of the Oregon teams had alot of tall players? Most of them sat the bench. If bigs cant handle the ball and create their own shot imo it doesnt make much difference. ND will be tuff but I think we are a better team then last season. It will be a struggle but our foul shooting late in the game will solidify our win.

exactly
why this concept seems so hard for some in the BY to grasp is beyond me.

thanks for bringing it up, tony. it's rarely nentioned amid all the fretting about teams that boast many 'bigs,'

BTW, there is an excellent chance uconn will not even face stanford this season, and we're only assured of playing the roosters once. ... to the worrywarts i'd advise not being so concerned about it.

and, did not the dreaded s.caroline lose a couple of times last year? don't assume it is a juggernaut that will conquer all.

 

[#12in21]

Olivia Miles may go into this game not worrying about this seemingly nice kid she'll face

But she'll soon find out the butterfly turns into a dragon and she won't be able to get this kids face out of her nightscares afterwards

 

[DEpup]

I agree. Caitlin was contained and in a big game that is success with a top player. What I think was more significant is Geno's strategy to actually shutdown Czinano. Her points and rebounds were significantly under her average. I think the Caitlin containment combined with a Czinano shutdown won the game.

 

[DrummerDee]

Yeah I would like to know this as well. There were Mabreys at ND back when Stewie first started playing for UConn and that was over 10 years ago.

There was one before her also. She's a ND assistant coach now.

 

[Skeets]

Of equal interest to me is what might happen with the contested " jump balls". It seems neither team
releases the ball easily to the opponent. These are strong ladies.... and strong minded .. determined.
The UCONN players will maintain their composure... and perhaps we 'll see some one sided technicals??!!
Let's watch to see what refs are assigned to this national televised games ... good game... best refs!

I'm 6'2" (or at lease used to be) and 200+ lbs and I would think twice about grappling Nike, Ayanna, or Aaliyah for a loose ball. Geno? Yeah, maybe I could rip it from him.

 

[CocoHusky]

exactly
why this concept seems so hard for some in the BY to grasp is beyond me.
thanks for bringing it up, tony. it's rarely nentioned amid all the fretting about teams that boast many 'bigs,'
BTW, there is an excellent chance uconn will not even face stanford this season, and we're only assured of playing the roosters once. ... to the worrywarts i'd advise not being so concerned about it.
and, did not the dreaded s.caroline lose a couple of times last year? don't assume it is a juggernaut that will conquer all.

The concept is hard to grasp because it is entirely incorrect. South Carolina and Stanford are the only two teams with multiple bigs that should continue to be of concern for UCONN. What makes @Tonyc concept incorrect is the notion that neither team plays two bigs at the same time. It is entirely possible that UCONN will not have to face either Stanford or SC in the NCAA tournament but hope is not a plan. While I might agree that there no sense fretting about it before it happens UCONN will need a better plan for contending with the multiple bigs from those teams.

 

[TCC Kid]

Damn, this will be a tough game.

Notre has been a tough team to play. Uconn has experience a few recent teams that learned the Notre Dame: Jump in and flopping to near the "professional level of ND". Notre Dame or Iowa it is offensive to me when Ref's buy into the creating contact then falling away as an indicator that the "driver" was fouled.

I've witnessed a couple of Recent ND games. Except for Technical fouls at least one double tech, I wasn't overly impressed. Yet, I'm a born Uconn worrier, I wouldn't take them lightly.

 

[Tonyc]

The concept is hard to grasp because it is entirely incorrect. South Carolina and Stanford are the only two teams with multiple bigs that should continue to be of concern for UCONN. What makes @Tonyc concept incorrect is the notion that neither team plays two bigs at the same time. It is entirely possible that UCONN will not have to face either Stanford or SC in the NCAA tournament but hope is not a plan. While I might agree that there no sense fretting about it before it happens UCONN will need a better plan for contending with the multiple bigs from those teams.

I spoke of teams with many bigs and not being able to play them all at once and gave an example of one of the Oregon teams which had a bunch of bigs over 6'4 and they sat the bench. I believe some have transferred now. SC and Stanford have a bunch of bigs and they all dont play at the same time either. Some are in and out of the lineup and some see very little time.

 

[CocoHusky]

I spoke of teams with many bigs and not being able to play them all at once and gave an example of one of the Oregon teams which had a bunch of bigs over 6'4 and they sat the bench. I believe some have transferred now. SC and Stanford have a bunch of bigs and they all dont play at the same time either. Some are in and out of the lineup and some see very little time.

South Carolina has bigs in Boston, Cardosa and Amihere with Amihere being the shortest at 6'4". Watkins the Freshman is really coming on so that makes 4 bigs that Dawn uses in multiple combinations. Actually it is five because Saxton I would also consider a big and a starter at the same size as Aaliyah Edwards.

 

[DEpup]

South Carolina has bigs in Boston, Cardosa and Amihere with Amihere being the shortest at 6'4". Watkins the Freshman is really coming on so that makes 4 bigs that Dawn uses in multiple combinations. Actually it is five because Saxton I would also consider a big and a starter at the same size as Aaliyah Edwards.

Let's not make Saxton bigger than she is. She's Caroline size not Aaliyah size...

 

[Bone Dog]

I'm 6'2" (or at lease used to be) and 200+ lbs and I would think twice about grappling Nike, Ayanna, or Aaliyah for a loose ball. Geno? Yeah, maybe I could rip it from him.

I’d avoid grappling with Nika at all costs. She’s 5’10” and in fighting shape. And to get a sense of the scale, she maybe a little lighter, but she’s pretty much the same size as Willie Mays, who I also wouldn’t have wanted to fight with in his prime.

 

[Cuango]

Hey, what about Providence?

Seriously, I would match Miles and Nika, Fudd and Mabrey in the comparison sheet since I think that is how the matchups will look from the ND side at least. And I would make Nika / Miles even and Fudd super edge on Mabrey unless you count cheap fouls

I’m not sure how anyone could fail to give Miles an edge, a substantial one, over Nika. I love Nika but let’s face it, Miles is averaging 16 pts, 7.5 boards, 6.7 assists, 2.8 steals, 3 turnovers with 2.2 fouls. Nika- 4 pts, 3.2 boards, 10.8 assists, 2.8 steals, 3 turnovers, with 2 fouls. Miles shooting percentages are 48, 31, and 80 while Nika shoots 40, 33, and 83. Hopefully, Nika can defend her well enough to even those numbers out some but she’s going to have to watch her fouls (which she has admittedly been doing a great job at) Again, I have faith Nika will leave it all on the court, and find a way to put the clamps on Miles, but she’s certainly not the favorite statistically in that matchup.

 

[Bone Dog]

I’d think of the Nika-Miles matchup not in terms of comparing stats, but in terms of removing a piece from the chess board. Nika kept Caitlin from dominating the game and she’ll do the same with Miles. She’s not going to outscore her, but I suspect she’ll out assist her and maybe even keep her off the boards. If Miles scores 12 with 4 rebounds and 5 assists, while Nika scores 6 with 11 assists and 4 rebounds, she’ll have done her job. But I can also dream higher and Nika so frustrates Miles that she gets two technicals and is ejected.

 

[eebmg]

I’m not sure how anyone could fail to give Miles an edge, a substantial one, over Nika. I love Nika but let’s face it, Miles is averaging 16 pts, 7.5 boards, 6.7 assists, 2.8 steals, 3 turnovers with 2.2 fouls. Nika- 4 pts, 3.2 boards, 10.8 assists, 2.8 steals, 3 turnovers, with 2 fouls. Miles shooting percentages are 48, 31, and 80 while Nika shoots 40, 33, and 83. Hopefully, Nika can defend her well enough to even those numbers out some but she’s going to have to watch her fouls (which she has admittedly been doing a great job at) Again, I have faith Nika will leave it all on the court, and find a way to put the clamps on Miles, but she’s certainly not the favorite statistically in that matchup.

Well, Nika is more important to her team than stats. Subjective I know but what the heck.

 

[Gus Mahler]

Always interesting see how the competition sizes up one's players and competition.
I'll comment on a few things I've seen and attach some stat sheets for your review and context setting and I'll ponder some match-ups from the ND perspective.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish 2025-26 Women's College Basketball Stats - ESPN

Visit ESPN for Notre Dame Fighting Irish live scores, video highlights, and latest news. Find standings and the full 2025-26 season schedule.

www.espn.com

- If you go to this attachment, you'll see that Miles and Citron are not only ND's leading scorer, they're also ND's leading rebounders. Quite candidly, they're the engines that drive ND. Miles is the flashier and more outwardly intense of the two, but don't fool yourself, Citron is a critical factor -- she'll plays the most minutes for the Irish.

- If you judge ND's inside game by traditional input (centers and bigs scoring) perhaps they're suspect (but I don't buy that). However -- and this is where they're interesting -- Citron and KK Bransford crash the offensive boards -- Citron with her vision and adeptness and Branford with brute force. So, guards are part of the inside scoring equation.

- Where ND is suspect, in my opinion, is that Mabrey is pretty much the only guaranteed source of downtown shooting, unless Citron makes a point of it. However, Citron tends to let the game come to her and she'll take what is given her.

- Miles has improved as a ball handler. Zip turnovers against ASU. Her one-armed passes are more accurate.

- I'm intrigued by how the Irish match up defensively against UConn. Ivey has been emphasizing man to man a lot this fall, but they can slip into zone at any given time. If they do go man, the natural match-up is putting Citron on Senechal or Ducharme.
However, I have a suspicion that if you see Azzi warm up, you'll see a rotation of guards play her, including Bransford and possibly even Citron, who is a long guard who knows Azzi from national team duty.

- Muhl on Miles is something I can see and understand. That will be crucial for both teams. If Muhl can bulldog and frustrate Miles, big advantage to UConn. But if Muhl gets into foul trouble, watch for Miles to drive incessantly. She's taller, smoother and stronger than you think. Should be a great match-up.

Enjoyed your post.

 

[cgshuskie]

Nika will do just fine against Miles. Nika's defense will keep Miles from being a great force. Otherwise, Uconn has more footspeed than the Irish. Azzi will dominate. Aalijah and Aubrey can take care of the boards, with help from Ayanna.

 

[Dillon77]

Enjoyed your post.

Thx. Appreciate it.
I'm looking forward to the game.

 

[Deadrody]

I would match Nika and Miles as well, but Miles has the edge. Agree with you on Azzi having the super edge on Mabrey. Bransford is a much better defender and is physical, so hopefully she's ready for a big game.

I think that depends on how you define success and failure. Nika was matched up with Caitlin Clark in the Iowa game and Clark scored 25 pts. Advantage Clark ? Meh. She had to put up 24 shots to get 25 points and Nika was busy handing out 13 assists. I'll be surprised if any opposing player ends up with the advantage over Nika this season.

 

[cgshuskie]

Deadrody you've got it right!!!! No 'advantage' over Nika, it won't happen! It's going to be a struggle for each opponent! Nika is boss....

 

[HuskyNan]

I’m not sure how anyone could fail to give Miles an edge, a substantial one, over Nika. I love Nika but let’s face it, Miles is averaging 16 pts, 7.5 boards, 6.7 assists, 2.8 steals, 3 turnovers with 2.2 fouls. Nika- 4 pts, 3.2 boards, 10.8 assists, 2.8 steals, 3 turnovers, with 2 fouls. Miles shooting percentages are 48, 31, and 80 while Nika shoots 40, 33, and 83. Hopefully, Nika can defend her well enough to even those numbers out some but she’s going to have to watch her fouls (which she has admittedly been doing a great job at) Again, I have faith Nika will leave it all on the court, and find a way to put the clamps on Miles, but she’s certainly not the favorite statistically in that matchup.

I am not denigrating Miles in any way beca she’s a terrific player but her numbers this season is against teams with an average Massey score of 105

 

[HuskyNan]

I’m not sure how anyone could fail to give Miles an edge, a substantial one, over Nika. I love Nika but let’s face it, Miles is averaging 16 pts, 7.5 boards, 6.7 assists, 2.8 steals, 3 turnovers with 2.2 fouls. Nika- 4 pts, 3.2 boards, 10.8 assists, 2.8 steals, 3 turnovers, with 2 fouls. Miles shooting percentages are 48, 31, and 80 while Nika shoots 40, 33, and 83. Hopefully, Nika can defend her well enough to even those numbers out some but she’s going to have to watch her fouls (which she has admittedly been doing a great job at) Again, I have faith Nika will leave it all on the court, and find a way to put the clamps on Miles, but she’s certainly not the favorite statistically in that matchup.

Nika’s numbers are against teams with an average Massey of 58, or 18 if we take Northeastern out (hey, I’m a biased UConn fan)

 

[sun]

Miles' bio & statistics page lists many notable accomplishments from last season that I wasn't aware of.
It shows that she's nationally recognized for being a great player when she was only a freshman.

Olivia Miles

und.com

 

[Dillon77]

I think that depends on how you define success and failure. Nika was matched up with Caitlin Clark in the Iowa game and Clark scored 25 pts. Advantage Clark ? Meh. She had to put up 24 shots to get 25 points and Nika was busy handing out 13 assists. I'll be surprised if any opposing player ends up with the advantage over Nika this season.

Deadrody you've got it right!!!! No 'advantage' over Nika, it won't happen! It's going to be a struggle for each opponent! Nika is boss....

I'm struck by your phrase "how you define success and failure" and would add "how it fits into overall team objectives." I'd submit to you that Iowa has very different expectations for Clark than most teams would: Clark is a high-volume shooter, who has taken 132 shots, as opposed to Azzi Fudd's 94 and ND's Sonia Citron and 'Liv Miles, both of whom have taken (only) 64 shots thus far. I'm sure Iowa would've liked Clark to shoot better in the game, particularly three pointers, and I think that's where Muhl helped the cause. However, she actually shot pretty well from two-point range. For UConn, Muhl had 13 assists, as you wrote, which is her forte. Geno expects her to lead the break and run the half-court offense and so far, she's been exceptional.

Miles does a lot of things for ND (score, rebound, assist, steals), much like Clark. However, as pointed out, she does not shoot high-volume like CC. What she does do, like Muhl, is make sure the entire offense runs. It notably stalls when Miles is out. As I pointed out, if Nika can slow down Miles, she slows down ND. Team objective met. On the other hand, if Miles can adjust to what Muhl is doing (score more or pass more), maybe the other way around. That's how one can define success and failure.

Should be critical and fun match-up on Sunday.

 

[npignatjr]

Exactly! Caitlin was not "shut down" she was contained. She has been contained in both games against UCONN in her career.

Remember this "scored her season average"?

 

[Minicoop69]

There will be a lot of lime green

There are still some tickets left. I will be in section 111 rocking UConn gear!!!!

 

[SVCBeercats]

I’ll be interested in whether Geno puts Nika on Miles. If she does, Miles can get very rattled by having someone in her grill (Doris Burke reference), as does Mabrey. (part of the gene pool).

Fact: Notre Dame averages 31 foul shots per game. UCONN averages 16 per game.
Add in fouls not resulting in a free throws and UCONN will be hard pressed to weather the storm of fouls. Will they get into Nika's grill stimulating an unfortunate response? She and Lou are a bit prone to foul. Particularly charges and blocking fouls. You know they will be flopping against Lou and Azzi until they foul them out or simply neutralize them with 4 fouls. They are also one of the top three rebounding teams in the country. This will be a trying game without Dorka to help rebound and absorb some of the fouls. This will be a white knuckle game.