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Notre Dame Women’s Basketball: Time for the Irish to be ranked in top-25

By Brad Weiss

ATHENS, OHIO - NOVEMBER 27: Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Niele Ivey reacts during their game against the Ohio Bobcats at the Ohio University Convocation Center on November 27, 2020 in Athens, Ohio. Ohio won 86-85. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
ATHENS, OHIO - NOVEMBER 27: Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Niele Ivey reacts during their game against the Ohio Bobcats at the Ohio University Convocation Center on November 27, 2020 in Athens, Ohio. Ohio won 86-85. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /
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The Notre Dame Women’s Basketball team gave the North Carolina Tar Heels everything they could hand on Sunday before eventually losing the game late. Led by Dara Mabrey, the Irish were in control for most of the game, before the Tar Heels made a run late, and were able to stave off the Notre Dame Women’s Basketball team in the final ten seconds.

As we look towards Monday, and the latest AP top-25 poll, you have to like the chances of the Irish cracking the rankings. After not even receiving additional votes last week, it is time for the pollsters to take notice, especially after their effort on Sunday, as they have lost only twice in their last seven games.

Notre Dame Women’s Basketball on fire in 2021

Since beating the Miami Hurricanes on New Year’s Eve, the Notre Dame Women’s Basketball team has been one of the hottest teams in the country. They have lost only twice since then, and are playing some of the best basketball in one of the best conferences in the country.

On Sunday, the Irish went into North Carolina and fought to the end against the Tar Heels, as they continue to play well in what is a tough ACC schedule. They are getting contributions up and down this roster, and with an elite recruiting class coming in, Niele Ivey certainly has the program trending in the right direction.

Replacing a legend is never an easy thing, but Ivey has weathered some early-season struggles and has gotten the Irish to a place where nobody wants to see them.

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While the Irish fell on Sunday, big games loom, including battling the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the country over their next four games. If they can come out of the next four games with a few wins, as three of the four teams are ranked, the entire college basketball landscape has to be put on notice.