2024-2025 Notre Dame Women's Basketball

[Redbar]

This has nothing to do with anything.

Miles hasn't posted on Twitter in over a month. She posted a question about her hair on January 8th. The team went on to win 12 games in a row after that post.

I can confidently tell you this was not an issue.

Ok. Since I and others are definitively wrong, what is definitively right? What happened from your vantage point? Why weren’t we better in January?

 

[BuaConstrictor]

A coaching flaw here was the "gentle babyish treatment" of the "girls" by the staff. It was astounding that it took until the NCAAs before the players experienced an emotionally challenging practice.

This is completely incorrect.

 

[NumbersGuy0520]

She absoluely is. She has her faults. She's not perfect but she's a really good coach.

Honest question. Why do you think she’s a really good coach? Not trying to be confrontational, just curious.

I see a coach that’s performing at about “expectation” for someone new to coaching while also inheriting what she did. She was quasi born on third base inheriting the dynasty that Muffet built (quasi because Muffet’s final year was bad and not representative of what was built). We won the conference regular season every year from 2012 to 2019. Multiple elite eights (almost every year from 2011 to 2019), final fours, championship appearances, and a championship.

Since then, we’ve won the regular season conference two of the last four years. We can’t get out of the sweet sixteen. This year with a roster with two top-4 WNBA picks and four players leaving for the WNBA.

I think Niele’s been good but not great. She has a lot to work with but we seem to commonly underperform with what we have. The standard is higher because of what she has at her disposal.

It’s like if you get promoted at your company and you’re now a VP of some department; you’re probably now doing a lot of great work (wins), but also that’s what should be expected of you and it doesn’t yet tell me you’re great in that role.

 

[BuaConstrictor]

Why weren’t we better in January?

We didn't lose a single game in January.

 

[BuaConstrictor]

Why do you think she’s a really good coach?

Because I think what she attempts to do schematically is really good. She sees the game strategically from a really good stand point and some of what she does defensively is really upper tier stuff.

She relates to her players well. Her late game decision making has gotten a lot better. I wasn't a big fan of Ivey a few years ago. She's really grown as a coach and I think her job last year and the year before was phenomenal. This year really sputtered out at the end but this team also hit some really rough shooting stretches at times. I think the roster ended up being a bit more flawed than we thought.

In game I think Ivey is really good. Her roster construction and recruiting worries me a bit and needs to be corrected.

This year's team underachieved. No disagreement there...but two things can be true at once. We've seen elite coaches of all kind have a team that falls short of expectations. It happens.

 

[Old Man Mike]

"This is completely incorrect..." really.

The girls themselves in their interview a day or so previous to this game indicated that the practices were the first "hostile" practices that Coach Ivey ran, and that it was extremely uncomfortable.

 

[BuaConstrictor]

"This is completely incorrect..." really.

Yes.

The girls themselves in their interview a day or so previous to this game indicated that the practices were the first "hostile" practices that Coach Ivey ran

This is a complete mischaracterization of the quote Miles gave

Notre Dame ready for rematch with TCU in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

After a disappointing finish in the ACC Tournament, Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey had a week of hard practices to refocus her team and get them ready for a run in

wsbt.com

"“She made practice really hostile and really intense, and she challenged us, so it was really good for us,” Notre Dame guard Olivia Miles said Friday."


Please point me to the part of the quote where Miles said that these were the first hostile practices Ivey ran?

So yeah. You're wrong. Ivey runs a lot of hard/hostile practices.

 

[Redbar]

We didn't lose a single game in January.

Gotcha! I don’t think I have ever addressed anything you have said in a condescending or dismissive way. Did you not understand my intent to be March? Is this how you handle interactions? I believe there is a term for that form of “argument”.
Since you know for sure what is wrong with my/our takes, kindly enlighten us. Or is calling out “wrongs” the point of it all?

 

[sfk324]

Gotcha! I don’t think I have ever addressed anything you have said in a condescending or dismissive way. Did you not understand my intent to be March? Is this how you handle interactions? I believe there is a term for that form of “argument”.
Since you know for sure what is wrong with my/our takes, kindly enlighten us. Or is calling out “wrongs” the point of it all?

So he should have known you meant a completely different month than what you wrote? Do you realize how absurd that expectation is?

 

[BuaConstrictor]

Did you not understand my intent to be March?

No. Because the post in question you took issue with from Miles was also made in January....so....

No, I can't read your mind and your typos are not my fault.

 

[BuaConstrictor]

Since you know for sure what is wrong with my/our takes, kindly enlighten us.

I have been?

 

[BuaConstrictor]

Do you realize how absurd that expectation is?

It's all absurd. He's theorizing that this team was distracted in March because Miles asked Twitter in January if she should wear her hair out.....keeping in mind that Miles might be one of the most mentally strong people on the team given the injury she had to come back from.

 

[LifelongFan]

Ivey needs to be gone. Most talented team in the country and zero connection. It's on her as much as it's on Hannah.

 

[UPMich_NDfan]

Yes.


This is a complete mischaracterization of the quote Miles gave

Notre Dame ready for rematch with TCU in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

After a disappointing finish in the ACC Tournament, Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey had a week of hard practices to refocus her team and get them ready for a run in

wsbt.com

"“She made practice really hostile and really intense, and she challenged us, so it was really good for us,” Notre Dame guard Olivia Miles said Friday."


Please point me to the part of the quote where Miles said that these were the first hostile practices Ivey ran?

So yeah. You're wrong. Ivey runs a lot of hard/hostile practices.

Bua would you agree that she could benefit from bringing in someone that kind of takes the reigns on offense? A lot of schools are doing this.
I just felt that ND’s downfall the last month or so was their inability to execute in the half court set on a consistent basis. When they went free flow too many people got left out and weren’t involved in spots they could be successful.
How you not going to isolate Hannah coming off a chicago handoff at top of the key from westbeld with Sonia in the corner. Miles on backside wing if they drop? Where you helping from? Where’s the screen/re-screen tcu’s killing us with? and someone said it was simple pick and rolls. it was not always: they ran some great actions that ended up in that and causing Soni to be lost.

The horns look worked but why are you going first ball screen with Tu when Prince is playing drop coverage? Tu’s defender was more than athletic enough to negate the ball screen advantage.

 

[BuaConstrictor]

Bua would you agree that she could benefit from bringing in someone that kind of takes the reigns on offense?

I mean, more help is never bad...but we got a TON of open looks today. I don't think our issue today was the schematics of the offense. I would like to see us leverage more high screen and roll, but we also didn't have a big really comfortable in those situations. I'd like to see Prosper take the next step in terms of being able to consistently hit jumpers and maybe she could play more of that role next season.

We really lacked the ability to play through the post this season. We lacked a fulcrum for the offense and a low pressure relief.

re: Tu, I just don't think they trust Koval in that spot yet...especially if she has to get the ball. Her decision making isn't great.

All that being said, we shot 32% and lost a game. I don't think we need to reinvent the wheel here. There will always be something to improve on and next year's team will likely have to play a much different type of half court basketball with Cas, KK, Kylee, Koval being on the roster(if they all are)..who knows with the portal.

 

[Redbar]

Yes. She is.

She's a really good coach.

This team underachieved but I'd also say this is the first team Ivey has had that underachieved.

The program needs to be better in March.

Ok maybe getting my point was too big a leap. I was actually referring to what you said above.
At any rate you know what I mean now, and all I am seeing is a bunch of: “This is wrong…I know for a fact this isn’t true…I have been offering my take, my take is you are wrong.”
Not sure why you need to come off like that but I’m sure you know why.

 

[BuaConstrictor]

This is wrong…I know for a fact this isn’t true…I have been offering my take, my take is you are wrong.”

Inaccurate! but feel free to re-read what I've been saying.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Well, gentlemen, it WAS a very good and entertaining season. Great to watch the elite skills, and I particularly liked the season-long hard work of Soni, Hannah, and Liatu --- reminded me of some favorite such players that I have coached (always makes you feel that it was worth it.) Our team (for me) missed just that one physical near-the-basket piece. I think that even a player of Watson's quality (given her focussed work ethic) might have been enough added physical presence.

So, until next November. BabyIrish: especially nice to "correspond" with you all season, and we had several other compadres on the long haul. It was a nice civil small IE community (unusual for IE), who I look forward to being with next year. Hope Soni makes it in the League. (Liatu too, but that seems hard for her height.)

 

[irishrb]

Well, gentlemen, it WAS a very good and entertaining season. Great to watch the elite skills, and I particularly liked the season-long hard work of Soni, Hannah, and Liatu --- reminded me of some favorite such players that I have coached (always makes you feel that it was worth it.) Our team (for me) missed just that one physical near-the-basket piece. I think that even a player of Watson's quality (given her focussed work ethic) might have been enough added physical presence.

So, until next November. BabyIrish: especially nice to "correspond" with you all season, and we had several other compadres on the long haul. It was a nice civil small IE community (unusual for IE), who I look forward to being with next year. Hope Soni makes it in the League. (Liatu too, but that seems hard for her height.)

Definitely an entertaining year. Enjoyed reading your insights throughout the year!

 

[BabyIrish]

Well, gentlemen, it WAS a very good and entertaining season. Great to watch the elite skills, and I particularly liked the season-long hard work of Soni, Hannah, and Liatu --- reminded me of some favorite such players that I have coached (always makes you feel that it was worth it.) Our team (for me) missed just that one physical near-the-basket piece. I think that even a player of Watson's quality (given her focussed work ethic) might have been enough added physical presence.

So, until next November. BabyIrish: especially nice to "correspond" with you all season, and we had several other compadres on the long haul. It was a nice civil small IE community (unusual for IE), who I look forward to being with next year. Hope Soni makes it in the League. (Liatu too, but that seems hard for her height.)

Same to you OMM. I appreciate your insights on the team. I know mine don’t nearly match up to yours. Can’t wait to do it again in 8 months time. Go Irish!

 

[BabyIrish]

Bua would you agree that she could benefit from bringing in someone that kind of takes the reigns on offense? A lot of schools are doing this.
I just felt that ND’s downfall the last month or so was their ability to execute in the court set on a consistent basis. When they went free flow too many people got left out and weren’t involved in spots they could be successful.
How you not going to isolate Hannah coming off a chicago handoff at top of the key from westbeld with Sonia in the corner. Miles on backside wing if they drop? Where you helping from? Where’s the screen/re-screen tcu’s killing us with? and someone said it was simple pick and rolls. it was not always: they ran some great actions that ended up in that and causing Soni to be lost.

The horns look worked but why are you going first ball screen with Tu when Prince is playing drop coverage? Tu’s defender was more than athletic enough to negate the ball screen advantage.

Yore right in saying that it wasn’t simple pick and roll that TCU ran. And I wasn’t insinuating that was. Clearly they did a lot of off ball screening and it certainly caught us off guard in the first quarter and confused us every now and then.
However, it’s not dissimilar to what we run. We also have off ball screening sets.

And has been noted by Bua, we missed a lot of open looks. As for me, I prefer a much more Princeton type office, so the offense we run currently isn’t my cup of tea. But there were plenty of times it worked this season. Some times it didn’t.

I think we all agree we need a big coup from the transfer portal this off season.

 

[Chicago Domer]

Niele isn't the one shooting 35% from the floor.

But she is the coach. With this talent we shouldn’t be losing to TCU by close to 10. and getting blown out in the 4th quarter. It’s not like we haven’t seen this in other games this year. Ivey is no where near Muffett. The question is can she get there?

 

[Blazers46]

Just here to say…

not a great coach.

😉

 

[irishjim]

@BuaConstrictor Thank you for your insight

Any inside information about what the offseason may bring, like who is staying and who is going? Also, what NIL resources are available for WBB?

I know season just ended but I figured some people have to be looking ahead considering we COULD have plenty of elite talent returning

 

[Irish5Saint]

@BuaConstrictor Thank you for your insight

Any inside information about what the offseason may bring, like who is staying and who is going? Also, what NIL resources are available for WBB?

I know season just ended but I figured some people have to be looking ahead considering we COULD have plenty of elite talent returning

Honestly wouldn't be shocked if Hidalgo portals.

LSU made a very serious run at her last offseason.

 

[Chicago Domer]

When Hidalgo couldn’t hit the side of a barn as in a number of games down the stretch of the regular season, and the sweet sixteen game( most of the team), a different shot strategy could have been employed. Maybe penetrating and taking 8 footers or driving in the paint and increasing free throws.

I’m not coaching them daily, but you should have an alternate strategy when your normal shots aren’t falling.



I

 

[BuaConstrictor]

a different shot strategy could have been employed. Maybe penetrating and taking 8 footers or driving in the paint and increasing free throws.

This was ND's shot chart in the 4th quarter..... 1 for 12 on shots inside the paint. 2-12 if you want to count that made FT line jumper.

If you compare the shot charts of the 1st & 2nd Qtrs ND clearly made an effort to get to the lane more in the 2nd half. We took something like 9 threes in the first half and only 4 in the second half.....

 

[ozzman]

This was ND's shot chart in the 4th quarter..... 1 for 12 on shots inside the paint. 2-12 if you want to count that made FT line jumper.
View attachment 3058627

It started to revert to the end of season start of drive and throw up a prayer layup and hope for a foul.

I couldn't believe how bad they shot all game. It was a disappointing loss to end a fun season. They have so much talent deserved a better finish.

 

[BuaConstrictor]

It started to revert to the end of season start of drive and throw up a prayer layup and hope for a foul.

I couldn't believe how bad they shot all game. It was a disappointing loss to end a fun season. They have so much talent deserved a better finish.

A bit..but at one point Hidalgo missed two straight open layups. Soni missed two point blank looks. She was 1 for 5 in the 4th and didn't take a shot outside of 15ft. Koval missed two point blank looks.

 

[ndfanatic78]

A bit..but at one point Hidalgo missed two straight open layups. Soni missed two point blank looks. She was 1 for 5 in the 4th and didn't take a shot outside of 15ft. Koval missed two point blank looks.

Could it be they were so run down from playing so many minutes in games they should have been pulled earlier.