Slap the Sign
Fansided

Notre Dame Women’s Basketball: Can the Irish Repeat in 2018?

By Ben Belden

COLUMBUS, OH - APRIL 01: Arike Ogunbowale #24 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish against the Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs during the third quarter in the championship game of the 2018 NCAA Women's Final Four at Nationwide Arena on April 1, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish defeated the Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs 61-58. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - APRIL 01: Arike Ogunbowale #24 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish against the Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs during the third quarter in the championship game of the 2018 NCAA Women's Final Four at Nationwide Arena on April 1, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish defeated the Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs 61-58. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

It took Notre Dame Women’s Basketball 17 years to win their second National Championship in school history. They might not have to wait 17 years for their third.

In early January, had you asked Muffet McGraw what chance she would give her team to win a National Championship, it likely would have been difficult for her to give a professional answer. Given the way the Irish had to struggle through their regular season as injury after injury plagued her team, this second championship likely came as a shock to McGraw. That said, no one will be shocked if the Irish are able to win a second consecutive title next season.

It’s been barely a month since Arike Ogunbawale’s improbable heroics in Columbus. Since then, Ogunbawale has been featured as a guest on Ellen, and more recently on ABC’s Dancing With the Stars. Undoubtedly, she’s enjoying her time off. So, too, are her teammates. But soon, Ogunbawale and company will be back on campus for the summer, preparing to defend their title.

And for Muffet McGraw, the name of the game is “reload” rather than “rebuild.”

While winning back-to-back titles is never easy in any sport, the Irish have as good a chance as any. The Irish return a litany of talent from last year’s title squad. Ogunbawale, guard Marina Mabrey, center Jessica Shepard, and guard Jackie Young all return to the starting lineup.

The lone starter gone from Notre Dame’s tournament roster is Kathryn Westbeld, who got a camp invite from the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks.

Clearly, the Irish have the type of roster that can can go deep in the tournament. With key players returning from season-ending injury a season ago, the Irish will have the depth necessary to repeat.

In fact, the overcoming of injuries in the 2017-2018 season may be why the Irish repeat in 2018-2019.

In the absence of a true point guard following a torn ACL for Lili Thompson, McGraw called on Mabrey to take charge of the point guard position. She also called on Jackie Young to step into a bigger role. Along with Ogunbawale, both were simply pivotal–if not downright dazzling–in Notre Dame’s tournament run.

Mabrey’s shining moment was her play in the elite 8 win over Texas A&M, where she poured in 25 points, while making 7-for-11 behind the arc, and dishing out 9 assists. Young was especially pivotal in the Final Four. While her scoring numbers won’t jump out at you, she was central to Notre Dame’s success. As Young battled foul trouble in the second quarter of the championship game, the Irish struggled. With Young back in the lineup during the second half, the Irish offense clicked. Ultimately, Young’s presence, which allowed the Irish to play smaller and faster, was the reason for their timely comeback.

Aside from the four starters who will return in 2018, the Irish will also garner the services of All-American Brianna Turner. Like Thompson, Turner will return to the Irish lineup after suffering a torn ACL last season. Turner stands at 6-foot-3 and will team with Jessica Shepard as a tantalizing frontcourt combination next season. Turner never played this season after suffering a torn ACL last March.

Related Story: Notre Dame Lands Top Recruit Samantha Brunelle

With a championship under their belts, a chip on their shoulders, and a target on their backs, the Irish will have an opportunity to make history. Only two other schools, Tennessee and Connecticut, have won championships in consecutive years. That would be pretty good company for Muffet McGraw’s Irish.