A Season That Could / Should Have Lasted Longer

 

One of the most talented (hyped) rosters in all of women's college basketball -- flew home to South Bend last night, not living up to the potential of what should have been.

I could go on and on as to why I think we are where we are with this program -- but I'll leave it with these three thoughts:

1. Player development is suspect -- who has improved since their arrival?
   
2. Our head coach is all ME and MY -- not WE and OUR -- could learn from Marcus Freeman on how leaders communicate.
3. We have only signed TWO RECRUITS the past two recruiting cycles -- in a program that has a very short bench and injury prone -- why?

Here's who is expected to return next season:

1. Hannah Hidalgo -- All-American, can she make those around her better?
2. Cassandra Prosper -- has not lived up to the recruiting hype yet -- missed most of last season with an injury
3. KK Bransford -- sat out this season (lingering leg injury)
   
4. Leah Macy -- only incoming HS recruit -- rumored ACL (knee) injury, happened in January, will she even be available for 2025-26 season?

I guess the decision has been made to major in the TRANSFER PORTAL and minor in HIGH SCHOOL recruiting -- as our roster management strategy.  Never thought we'd see this at the University of Notre Dame.

UPDATE: Olivia Miles has chosen to enter the Transfer Portal over returning to Notre Dame or entering the WNBA Draft.  Joining her in the Transfer Portal is Emma Risch -- a sophomore who has had injury issues since her arrival in South Bend. Kate Koval, last year's top recruit (and only) -- game seemed to regress over the season.  And now, Kylee Watson has entered the Transfer Portal...

Notre Dame can't even play five-on-five basketball -- until June at the earliest. 

Here's the "Gold-Lining" to this cloud -- I want to believe Niele will do the following:

1. Find a roster out of the Transfer Portal that will get us competitive next season
2. Look at her staff and make some needed changes to improve all aspects of the operation
• Player development
• Recruiting
• Game management 
• Strength training
• Etc
  
3. Recruit, recruit, recruit -- the top high school talent in the country -- it is necessary
• They have a University second to none
• They have a fan base second to none
• And, they have a practice facility second to none
  

And, work on how to communicate like a leader of a championship program.  It's not ME and MY -- it's WE and OUR.  It has to be about "all" (the team) and should never be about you.