Notre Dame Fighting Irish
ACC (32-0, 16-0)
The Notre Dame women’s basketball team has had an amazing initial voyage as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Fighting Irish have been very consistent, especially on the road, going into hostile environments like Maryland and Duke without being phased and have found ways to win even with the loss of Skylar Diggins to the WNBA.
Big Wins: 12/4 at Penn State (77-67), 1/20 at Tennessee (86-70), 2/2 at Duke (88-67)
Bad Losses: None
Coach: Muffet McGraw (27 seasons at Notre Dame)
Why They Can Surprise:
The Fighting Irish can surprise a team like UConn in a national semifinal or championship game if the frontline can get players like Stefanie Dolson and Breanna Stewart in early foul trouble. This is important because the Huskies are not as deep as they could be for a national title frontrunner. The backcourt play of Jewell Loyd, Kayla McBride, and Lindsay Allen, when they are on, make Notre Dame a very explosive team.
Why They Can Disappoint:
A problem could arise if the guard play comes up short and can’t generate enough offense and the Fighting Irish have to play a possession by possession type of game where they can’t dictate tempo. The other potential concern could be if a team gets rolling with inside scoring and can get forward Natalie Achonwa into foul trouble early on in an NCAA Tournament game.
Probable Starters:
Kayla McBride, Senior, Guard, 17.5 ppg, 3.8 apg, 5.5 rpg
Jewell Loyd, Sophomore, Guard, 18.5 ppg, 2.4 apg, 6.2 rpg
Lindsay Allen, Freshman, Guard, 6.4 ppg3.8 apg
Natalie Achonwa, Senior, Forward, 14.1 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 2.8 apg
Ariel Barker, Senior, Forward, 4.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Michaela Mabrey, Sophomore, Guard, 9.1 ppg, 2.4 apg
Taya Reimer, Freshman, Forward, 7.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg
Madison Cable, Junior, Guard, 5.4 ppg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 87.5 (2nd in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 61.9 (56, 2)
Field-Goal Percentage: 51.4 (1, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 37.4 (52, 3)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.1 (186, 12)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 40.5 (2, 2)
Free-Throw Percentage: 75.2 (24, 1)
Rebound Margin: 9.6 (10, 2)
Assists Per Game: 21.1 (2, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 14.9 (92, 6)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2013 NCAA Round of 64 win over Tennessee Martin
2013 NCAA Round of 32 win over Iowa
2013 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Kansas
2013 NCAA Regional Final win over Duke
2013 NCAA National Semifinal loss to Connecticut
2012 NCAA Round of 64 win over Liberty
2012 NCAA Round of 32 win over California
2012 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over St. Bonaventure
2012 NCAA Regional Final win over Maryland
2012 NCAA National Semifinal win over Connecticut
2012 NCAA National Championship loss to Baylor
2011 NCAA Round of 64 win over Utah
2011 NCAA Round of 32 win over Temple
2011 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Oklahoma
2011 NCAA Regional Final win over Tennessee
2011 NCAA National Semifinal win over Connecticut
2011 NCAA National Final loss to Texas A&M
2010 NCAA Round of 64 win over Cleveland State
2010 NCAA Round of 32 win over Vermont
2010 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Oklahoma
2009 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Minnesota
2008 NCAA Round of 64 win over Southern Methodist
2008 NCAA Round of 32 win over Oklahoma
2008 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Tennessee
2007 NCAA Round of 64 win over California
2007 NCAA Round of 32 loss to North Carolina
*all team stats through 3/6
See All Women’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
