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Notre Dame women’s basketball – Irish rolling but at what cost?

By Tyler Kruse

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - FEBRUARY 26: Sonia Citron #11 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Olivia Miles #5 walk off the court following the 68-65 win over the Louisville Cardinals against the at KFC YUM! Center on February 26, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - FEBRUARY 26: Sonia Citron #11 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Olivia Miles #5 walk off the court following the 68-65 win over the Louisville Cardinals against the at KFC YUM! Center on February 26, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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The Notre Dame women’s basketball team ended the season on a roll yesterday, taking down Hailey Van Lith’s Louisville squad 68 to 65. The Irish ended their regular season on a six-game winning streak. Still, Olivia Miles’ right knee injury puts a sour spin on an otherwise sweet victory. Niele Ivey and her squad should have more clarity on the injury today or in the coming days, but it’s not ideal.

After losing Dara Mabrey for the season earlier this year, the Irish can’t afford to lose their current top player Olivia Miles. Certainly one of the team’s focal points, Miles leads the squad in rebounds, assists, and steals per game. However, she fell just behind Sonia Citron on Sunday for the overall leader of the team in total points scored.

Their next game will be determined as they face they’ll be looking to secure the first victory in the ACC tournament. They have a double bye in the first and second rounds and will face the winner of the NC State-Syracuse game. Whichever team wins between those two will move on to face the Irish on Friday, March 3rd, at 2 pm on the ACC Network.

While the Irish have battled adversity all season, it would be huge for the entire program if Olivia Miles could play Friday. As one of the statistical and emotional leaders of the team, Ivey could undoubtedly use some good news concerning her star player.

The Notre Dame women handled Syracuse relatively easily a couple of times this year in their previous contests, but NC State is a different story. The Wolfpack gave the Irish trouble and beat the squad 69-65 back in late January. It was one of their four losses this season, as they only went down to NC State, Duke, North Carolina, and Maryland. Some pretty good company, but the Irish are looking forward to a rematch should they get NC State.

The Irish are in good shape for the NCAA tournament and are a no-doubter to make it as a high seed. Still, finishing the season off with an ACC Tournament win could only help their chances moving forward in the postseason.

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