Notre Dame basketball: Irish WBB has climbed the NC State mountain before

The Notre Dame basketball team has made it to the Sweet 16, and there, they will meet a familiar foe in the NC State Wolfpack.

For the Notre Dame basketball team, it has been an incredible season, one that saw the emergence of Sonia Citron, who took down the ACC’s Rookie of the Year honor. The Irish also got incredible play from freshman guard Olivia Miles, who averaged over 13 points per game this season, earning first-team All-ACC honors.

Overall, this is a Notre Dame Women’s Basketball Team that is deep, and dangerous. Forward Maya Dodson, was named second-team All-ACC by the Blue Ribbon Panel but was a first-team choice by the Coaches, joined by Miles. She was also named to the conference’s All-Defense team, so there is no shortage of star power here.

In their blowout victory against the No. 4 seed Oklahoma Sooners, the Irish had a collective effort, with four players scoring in double figures. Led by star guard Dara Mabrey’s 29, that game was done by the half, and against No. 1 NC State in the Sweet 16, they have to get off to another fast start.

Notre Dame basketball beat NC State earlier this season

These two teams have already met up this season, and the Irish were able to take care of business against the NC State Wolfpack. In fact, Notre Dame dominated NC State in the early going of that matchup against a team who was ranked No. 3 in the country at the time. NC State made a run in the fourth quarter, but it was too late, as the Irish won 69-66.

The big difference in that game was the fact that ACC Player of the Year finalist Elissa Cunane struggled with foul trouble. They were able to hold her to 13 points, and if they can do that again on Saturday, they should be in good shape.

The Men’s team saw their dreams end in the Round of 32, but this Women’s team is a special group, and have already lept one of their biggest hurdles.

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The loss to Notre Dame was the only defeat in-conference for the Notre Dame basketball team and should give the Irish big-time confidence heading into matchup No. 2. This team has all the star-power they need to make a legitimate title run, an outstanding coach, and now is playing with the kind of attitude that is going to make them a very tough out.