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Notre Dame Women’s Basketball: Cosgrove could add a new dimension to Irish offense

By Ben Belden

COLUMBUS, OH - MARCH 30: Head coach Muffet McGraw of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish instructs her team against the Connecticut Huskies during the first half in the semifinals of the 2018 NCAA Women's Final Four at Nationwide Arena on March 30, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - MARCH 30: Head coach Muffet McGraw of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish instructs her team against the Connecticut Huskies during the first half in the semifinals of the 2018 NCAA Women's Final Four at Nationwide Arena on March 30, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Continuing with a recent trend, today we take a look at Notre Dame Women’s Basketball incoming freshman, Danielle Cosgrove.

On November 9th, 2017, Danielle Cosgrove signed her National Letter of Intent to continue her basketball playing career for Muffet McGraw’s Notre Dame Women’s Basketball team. At the time, she said that at first, she couldn’t believe Notre Dame had interest in her, according to Newsday.com. Six months later, she is set to begin her career at Notre Dame.

At 6-foot-4, Cosgrove presents a matchup problem for opposing defenses. As a four-year starter in high school, she tallied over 1500 points in her career. It’s her blend of skills that allowed her to be a prolific offensive force.

A unique offensive game

Watching Cosgrove’s highlight video, a few things jump off the screen. First, in the post, she has tremendous footwork. Cosgrove isn’t the most fleet of foot, but she’s very efficient with her steps. This allows her to cover a lot of ground in a short period of time. She also has great body control and is decisive with her movements. She has a vast array of quick spin moves in the post, but she never seems off balance or out of control when she looks to score.

But Cosgrove is not only a stereotypical post player.

To supplement her interior game, she has great range on her jumpshot from three-point range. Aside from being her team’s best post player, she was probably her team’s best three-point shooter, as well. Imagine having to guard a 6-foot-4 player with great skills and footwork in the post and having to chase her around screens on the perimeter, as well. From her film, it’s clear that the footwork Cosgrove demonstrates in her post game translates to her footwork as she navigates around screens to get open on the perimeter.

Truly, Cosgrove presents a serious challenge for defenders trying to guard her.

Outlook

Notre Dame will be looking to replace Kathryn Westbeld and Kristina Nelson in the post this season. Cosgrove might have a chance to see significant minutes for Muffet McGraw this season.

Rising senior Jessica Shepard will anchor the Irish at that position. Graduate student Brianna Turner will likely join her in the starting lineup after sitting out last season with a torn ACL. Outside of those two, Cosgrove will compete with rising senior Maureen Butler and rising sophomores Danielle Patterson and Mikayla Vaughn for time in the post off the bench.

Related Story: Notre Dame Women's Basketball New Faces: Abby Prohaska

Defensively, it remains to be seen how Cosgrove will perform at the college level. However, her offensive skills might be enough to give her a shot (pun intended) at being a major contributor next season.