| NCAA Bridgeport Regional: | #5 Seed Notre Dame |
|---|---|
| Where: | Bridgeport, CT | Total Mortgage Arena |
| Listen: | 99.9 WQLQ-FM | ND Radio Network |
| Notes: | ND Notes |
| Social: | @NDWBB |
| Sweet 16: | #1 seed NC State |
| When: | Saturday, March 26 | 11:30 am ET |
| Watch: | ESPN |
| Elite 8: | #2 seed UConn or #3 seed Indiana |
| When: | Monday, March 28 | TBD |
DURHAM, N.C. – Just like the famous Friends scene with Ross Geller, sometimes you just need to “Pivot!” That’s exactly the hand the No. 17 Notre Dame women’s basketball team (11-2, 2-0) was dealt, missing out on their first ACC game after the holiday break, but play finally resumes this Sunday in a top-25 ranked battle between the Fighting Irish and No. 15 Duke Blue Devils (9-2, 0-1). Tip inside Cameron Indoor is slated for 2 p.m. ET, airing live on ACC Network.
The Irish own a commanding lead in the series, 17-2, with a 4-2 record in Durham.
For those fans planning to attend in person, you have to be either vaccinated or have a negative COVID. All Duke vaccination and mask guidelines can be found here
NANCY LIEBERMAN AWARD WATCH LIST?
To all Nancy LIeberman Award committee members – you probably should be paying attention to someone who wasn’t on your preseason watch list – introducing to you Olivia Miles. Notre Dame’s freshman point guard leads the ENTIRE NATION in assists per game, averaging 7.8. However, Miles is more than just stylish assists – she’s also averaging double-digit points (12.6) and reeling in 6.9 boards/game – second best on team behind Dodson.
Thus, Miles is the only player in the country averaging at least 12 points / 6 rebounds / 7 assists.
By the way, she’s piling up double-doubles too, already earning five on the year, which is tied for the most in the ACC and ranks 2nd among all Division I freshmen. Of those five, one of them is a triple-double, as Miles became just the second Irish freshman in program history to do so.
MORE ON MILES’ ASSIST NUMBERS
The top passer in the country is putting up assist numbers the program hasn’t seen in over three decades. Miles’ 7.8 apg would finish third all-time, with the top-three spots currently belonging to:
1. Mary Gavin 8.7 1987-88
2. Mary Gavin 7.9 1986-87
3. Lindsay Allen 7.6 2016-17
The most total assists in a season belong to Lindsay Allen at 282 (2016-17). The highest assist average for a freshman at ND was 4.5 by Mary Gavin in 1984-85. Miles boasts four double-digit assist performances on the year. All other players in the ACC have combined for one.
ACC FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK X4
Make it 4-out-of-7 possible weeks for guard Sonia Citron in claiming ACC Freshman of the Week honors. The league office announced her fourth award on the year on Dec. 20 after she helped lift the Fighting Irish to a 2-0 start in ACC play with a dominant 85-59 win over Pitt.
Citron continues to challenge 2019 alumna Brianna Turner who set the program record with six ACC FOTW honors. Going back into the program’s Big East days, both Jacqueline Batteast (01-02) and Alicia Ratay (99-00) were each six-time winners as well.
FRESHMEN DUO SENSATION
Notre Dame doesn’t just have one, but two super freshmen in Citron and Miles who will be the building blocks for years to come. In fact, only one other school in Division I has 2 freshmen averaging at least 11 ppg – Pacific – Anaya James (15 ppg) and Elizabeth Elliot (12.7 ppg).
A 6-1 versatile guard, Citron has been everywhere on the court for Coach Ivey, ranking in the top-4 on the team in points, rebounds, assists and steals. Not only is Citron making early waves for ACC Freshman of the Year but 6th Woman as well. She’s averaging an impressive 11.5 points off the bench – third most on the team.
Rare numbers off the bench — there are only two players in the entire country (of any class) who are putting up at least 12p/5r/2a off the bench: Citron and NC State’s Diamond Johnson.
In addition, there are only three freshmen in the entire country averaging at least 12 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists and 1 steal – and two of them belong to ND.
Then there’s Olivia Miles, who has been detailed above. Ultimately, Miles ranks in the top-10 in the ACC in 6 different stat categories: Rebounds, Assists, Steals, A/TO Ratio, Defensive Rebounds and Minutes — best of any Irish player.
A DECEMBER TO REMEMBER
When looking at December games only – Citron is leading the team in scoring with 14.3 ppg, shooting 47.5 percent during said stretch, including 42.9 percent from three. She’s also only one missed free throw, converting 21-of-22. Plus, she’s averaging 6.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists as well, with only nine turnovers in those six combined games.
Amongst all D-I freshmen in scoring in December – her 14.3 ppg ranks 6th.
And of course there’s Miles. In December games only (last six), she’s nearly averaging a triple double with 13.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 8.8 assists. Her 13.8 ppg ranks ninth among all Division I freshmen for the month of December.
She’ll be entering ACC play this weekend with two straight 20-point performances. She’s 16-of-29 (.552) from the floor in those 2 games.
WHO’S HOT
Outside Miles, let’s take a look at both Maya Dodson and Maddy Westbeld.
Dodson was just named ACC Player of the Week after lifting the Irish to a 91-86 road win at (RV) DePaul on Dec. 22. Dodson scored a career high 28 points, including 12 in the 4th quarter. She scored 10 straight points from 4:46-0:26 in the 4th. She also finished with 8 boards, 7 of the offensive variety.
Next, there’s Westbeld, who has put up big numbers over the last four games: 25-of-40 shooting (.625) – 66 points (16.5 ppg), including two 20-point performances.
Westbeld shot 7-of-10 against a game DePaul team on the road on Dec. 22, converting 3 critical free throws in the final 20 seconds of the game. She ultimately hit a career best eight made free throws.
Westbeld currently leads the Irish in shooting percentage as her .534 mark ranks 4th in the ACC.
SONI STATS – FREE THROWS
Citron is shooting 91.4 percent from the free-throw line, which leads all players in the ACC and ranks 15th in the nation. She is 32-for-35 on the year.
SHARING THE WEALTH AND EXECUTING
The Irish currently have five players averaging double-figures, showcasing the depth of this year’s team. In terms of all Power-Five schools, only Syracuse and Maryland have at least five averaging double figures as well.
Notre Dame has done a great job spreading the wealth, leading the ACC and ranking 11th in the nation in assists/game (18.8). They have twice this season dished out 30+.
Notre Dame is also ranked 21st in the nation in A/TO ratio (1.24), 22nd in blocks/game (5.4) and 15th in rebounds/game (44.38).
— ND —