Notre Dame Basketball: Five Keys to Beating Connecticut for the Title

Mar 23, 2015; Storrs, CT, USA; Connecticut Huskies forward Breanna Stewart (30) on the court against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the first half in the second round of the women

Keep Stewart from taking over

Stewart isn’t racking up all of these awards simply based on where she plays. And there isn’t much on the basketball court she can’t do. But the Irish need to keep her from as much of it as possible to win their first NCAA title since 2001.

Her length and athleticism make her a nightmare to guard, and even worse when she’s on defense. Add to that a high basketball I.Q., and you get yourself Player of the Year. All of them.

If there is a “weak” part of her game, she’s not as strong at shooting from the outside. But even then, that’s a risky proposition. The Irish have thrown everything at her in her three years, but she still somehow finds her way.

Look for the Irish to limit her to more of a perimeter game, and boxing her out will be important. With her talent, she can grab a miss and put it back in if you don’t out a body on her.

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