Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Big East (30-3, 15-1)
Notre Dame fell just short of NCAA title in 2011, but long time coach Muffet McGraw has a better team in 2012. The Fighting Irish had a target on their back during the entire 2012 campaign and this group took everybody’s best shot and came out with another great regular season. But there was little doubt that Notre Dame would be one of the top teams heading into the NCAA Tournament. Now is the time to win six games.
Big Wins: 12/18 Kentucky (92-83), 1/23 Tennessee (72-44), 2/17 at Connecticut (72-59)
Bad Losses: 11/20 at Baylor (81-94), 2/12 West Virginia (63-65)
Coach: Muffet McGraw (23 seasons at Notre Dame)
Why They Can Surprise:
The Notre Dame backcourt is full of dynamic scorers. Skylar Diggins elevated herself to rock star status during last year’s run and she picked up right where she left off. A tenacious defender, Diggins is the Irish’s top scorer and a clutch player who will not get rattled during big games. Natalie Novosel is the most dangerous outside shooter on this team, but she still does most of her scoring around the basket and inside the arc. Kayla McBride and Brittany Mallory are also starting guards. McBride has emerged as a quality scorer and a good rebounder for a guard. Mallory is another good ball handler and another great defender, but she will not do much scoring. On a team that has plenty of scoring options, having a player like Mallory who can do a little bit of everything else is very helpful.
Why They Can Disappoint:
While the Irish have a ton of talent on the perimeter, this is a team that does not shoot from long range very often. Diggins and Novosel have the capability of hitting the long ball, but they rarely try. On one hand, Notre Dame usually does not need to shoot the long ball since they can score around the basket with such ease. However, against some opponents, they will need to stretch out the defense and knock down some three-pointers. Devereaux Peters is the forward in the middle of all of the guards. The 6-2 senior is a fine interior scorer and a great rebounder, but can have trouble against stronger opposition. Both of those weaknesses were on display when Notre Dame played Baylor early in the season. The Irish shot just 3 for 18 from beyond the arc and Baylor’s center Brittney Griner scored 32 points. It may be a little unfair to point out those weaknesses against a dominate team like Baylor, but if Notre Dame wants to win a national championship, they will likely run into Griner and the Bears again.
Probable Starters:
Skylar Diggins, Junior, Guard, 17.0 ppg, 5.7 apg,2.7 spg
Brittany Mallory, Senior, Guard, 5.8 ppg,2.2 apg
Natalie Novosel, Senior, Guard, 15.0 ppg, 2.1 apg, 3.9 rpg
Kayla McBride, Sophomore, Guard, 11.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg
Devereaux Peters, Senior, Forward, 12.2 ppg, 9.4 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Natalie Achonwa, Sophomore, Forward, 7.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg
Fraderica Miller, Senior, Guard, 1.8 ppg
Kaila Turner, Junior, Guard, 3.3 ppg
Markisha Wright, Freshman, Forward, 3.6 ppg,2.3 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 81.0 (1st in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 51.9 (9, 3)
Field-Goal Percentage: 48.0 (3, 2)
Field-Goal Defense: 35.0 (24, 5)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 4.1 (223, 11)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.0 (45, 3)
Free-Throw Percentage: 76.6 (13, 1)
Rebound Margin: 10.1 (9, 2)
Assists Per Game: 18.5 (4, 2)
Turnovers Per Game: 16.7 (135, 11)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
Notre Dame 2011 NCAA Round of 64 win over Utah
Notre Dame 2011 NCAA Round of 32 win over Temple
Notre Dame 2011 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Oklahoma
Notre Dame 2011 NCAA Regional Final win over Tennessee
Notre Dame 2011 NCAA National Semifinal win over Connecticut
Notre Dame 2011 NCAA National Final loss to Texas A&M
Notre Dame 2010 NCAA Round of 64 win over Cleveland State
Notre Dame 2010 NCAA Round of 32 win over Vermont
Notre Dame 2010 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Oklahoma
Notre Dame 2009 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Minnesota
Notre Dame 2008 NCAA Round of 64 win over Southern Methodist
Notre Dame 2008 NCAA Round of 32 win over Oklahoma
Notre Dame 2008 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Tennessee
Notre Dame 2007 NCAA Round of 64 win over California
Notre Dame 2007 NCAA Round of 32 loss to North Carolina
*all team stats through 3/1
