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GM 8 Preview: Michigan State

Irish vs Spartans in ACC/B1G Challenge Thursday | 6 pm ET on BTN

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

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The first week of December typically means one thing for the No. 24/25 Notre Dame women’s basketball program – the B1G/ACC Challenge and UConn. First up, a trip north to the Breslin Center to take on Michigan State. That contest will tip off at 6 p.m. ET on the Big Ten Network.

AGAINST THE BIG TEN

At the start of the 2009-10 season, the Irish went on to win 22 straight against Big Ten opposition spanning the next 10 years. It wasn’t until the 2019-20 season that they finally dropped a decision to none other than. Since 2009, the Irish are 23-3 against Big Ten foes. 

ACC/B1G CHALLENGE

The Irish are 6-1 all-time in the ACC/B1G Challenge. Below are past years results.

Past Results
2019: Minnesota – lost 75-67
2018: Iowa – won 105-71
2017: at Michigan – won 83-63
2016: at Iowa – won 73-58
2015: Ohio State – won 75-72
2014: Maryland – won 92-72
2013: Penn State – won 77-67

The ACC owns a 9-1-3 all-time advantage in the Challenge, headlined by three outright titles in the last four years the event has been held. Additionally, the ACC stands a collective 94-70 against the Big Ten in the Challenge.

Twelve of the 14 games will air live on a linear television network, including all seven ACC home games.

DOUBLE-DOUBLE DELIGHTS

Notre Dame is the only school in the ACC with three different players with double-double performances. Olivia Miles leads the way with two and she’s done it two different ways. First Miles secured 16 points & 11 rebounds vs Western Illinois. Then against Bryant, Miles dished out a career high 14 assists, to go with her 14 points. It was the first Irish points/assists double-double since Marina Mabrey (12p/12a) vs UConn in the 2019 National Semifinal.

Fellow freshman Sonia Citron earned her first double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds in the win over Fordham on Nov. 18.

Citron and Miles are 2 of just 14 freshman guards in the country who have produced at least one double-double, and just 2-of-3 from a power-five conference (other being Shyanne Sellers from Maryland). However, Miles and Niagara’s Aaliyah Parker are the only two freshmen guards with at least 2 double-doubles. 

Lastly, there’s Maddy Westbeld, who notched a 15-point, 18-rebound double-double in game two win over Western Illinois. The 18 rebounds were not only a career high, but also tied the Purcell Pavilion single-game rebounding record. 

A PAIR OF SUPER FRESHMEN

The future of the program is bright with freshmen Sonia Citron and Olivia Miles and both their versatile skill sets.

After the first 2 weeks of play, Citron was a 2-time ACC Freshman of the Week award winner. A 6-1 guard at the 3, Citron has been everywhere on the court for Coach Ivey, ranking in the top-5 on the team in points, rebounds, assists and steals. Thus, not only is Citron making early waves for ACC Freshman of the Year but 6th Woman as well.

In addition, Citron is 1-of-7 freshmen guards in the entire country averaging at least 9 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists. She’s also just 1-of-2 in a Power-5, with the other being Olivia Miles.    

Then there’s Olivia Miles, averaging 11.6 points, 6.9 assists and 5.4 rebounds. She is the only player in the country to average at least 11p/5r/6a. 

And we are certainly not skipping over Miles 6.9 assist average which ranks third in the entire country. Also for reference, the ND single season record is 8.8 apg by Mary Gavin in 87-88 season. 

WHO’S HOT

The obvious answer first – Maddy Westbeld. She has scored in double figures in seven straight games, one shy of tying her career high. Maddy is averaging 15.4 ppg and 7.9 rpg. Both averages rank in the top-10 in the ACC.

Speaking of streaks, she’s made at least one trey in all 7 games, setting a new career high – last season her high streak was set at 6.

Next, Maya Dodson, who was named a Second All-Daytona Beach Invitational Team honoree. She scored in double figures both games averaging 13.5 points and 8.0 rebounds. 

SHARING THE WEALTH AND EXECUTING

Currently have 4 starters averaging double-figures with 2 bench players in Sonia Citron (9.1 ppg) and Sam Brunelle (8.2 ppg) honing in. The Irish have done a great job spreading the wealth, leading the ACC and ranking 13th in the nation in assists/game (19.3). They have twice this season dished out 30+. 

Notre Dame is also ranked 17th in the nation in shooting percentage (.474), 14th in defensive rebounds (31.1) and 16th in rebounds/game (45.29).

BACK IN THE RANKINGS WITH 1ST RANKED WIN

The Irish were presented with an early-season test in Daytona with a now ranked Georgia squad (were receiving votes at the time of competition) and then No. 16 Oregon State. Notre Dame ultimately split the two, dropping a 71-67 overtime game to the Bulldogs before bouncing back with a 64-62 win over the Beavers. The latter marked Coach Ivey’s first AP ranked win at the helm of the program. Also keep in mind it was very close to a 2-0 Daytona trip as neither team scored in the final three minutes of regulation and then ND later boasted a four-point lead in OT that was swung to a four-point defeat.

All-in-all, the results led to Notre Dame being back in the rankings since earning a 2020 preseason ranking. 

— ND —