Marquette grad and incoming Notre Dame grad student Liz Karlen gave an interview to an ND-related media outlet and said her goal in transferring was to play for a team that had a chance of winning a national championship. Karlen thought there were 'seven or eight" teams that had a chance of doing so and her final three were all in that category (They are in this graphic, too.).
So, how do I think Liz Karlen and the Irish will do? I like ND's overall depth and think KK Bransford and Emma Risch will also get playing time for Coach Niele Ivey and the Fighting Irish. Bransford always seems to find herself in the mix as a tough, two-way guard and Risch -- who missed most of her frosh year -- can shoot from distance and drive for pull-up jumpers. The key for Ivey is to integrate Karlen and Liatu King, the injured players (Miles, Prosper, Risch) and the newcomer, center Kate Koval.
However, she's got a huge crutch to help: Hannah Hidalgo, Sonia Citron and Maddy Westbeld are all back. I've got no doubt that Miles will come back on all cylinders and get along with Hidalgo to create a backcourt that drives and dishes and steals (Miles is adept at picking pockets and rebounding). Plus, Citron will be the glue.
How fast will Koval acclimate to the college game? That and the team meshing are the Irish biggest challenges in my mind. Stay tuned.