Notre Dame’s path to the Final Four won’t be easy as a No. 3 seed
But before the Irish can face any familiar foes, they must get past Stephen F. Austin. SFA qualified for the NCAA Tournament after winning the Southland tournament title. The Ladyjacks average 77.9 points per game with five different players scoring double-digits. They own an efficient offense, taking 25 3-pointers per game and shooting 35.5 percent on their attempts. They also get to the free line, averaging 20.6 attempts per game, 23rd most in the nation. SFA’s offense should be an early test for the Irish, who are looking to get their three-headed backcourt back on track at the start of the tournament.
The name’s been called. Now, we handle business ☘️#GoIrishpic.twitter.com/f7ISIHBqlz
— Notre Dame Women’s Basketball (@ndwbb) March 17, 2025
Assuming they advance, the Irish would play one of Michigan, Iowa State or Princeton — the latter two schools will meet in one of the First Four games this week. The three programs are stylistically different, but each is formidable. Princeton was among the final teams in the field and plays at one of the slowest paces in the nation. That could serve as a change-up for the Irish, who average nearly 12 more possessions per 40 minutes than the Tigers. The Cyclones entered the season as a program many thought would be hosting a tournament game come March. Though Iowa State struggled at times during the regular season, sophomore center Audi Crooks has shown she can dominate a game. (She scored 40 points in the Cyclones’ first-round win over Maryland last season.) Michigan is another potent offense that can convert from the perimeter. All five of its starters are 6-foot-3 or smaller, allowing the Wolverines to also be switchable on defense.
The Horned Frogs could be the Irish’s toughest test in the quadrant. The programs met in November, when TCU handed Notre Dame its first loss, 76-68. Irish stars Hannah Hidalgo, Olivia Miles and Sonia Citron combined to score 57 points, but they received only 11 points from the rest of the roster. Notre Dame also had no answer for TCU center Sedona Prince, who finished with 20 points, 20 rebounds, eight blocks and four assists. TCU aims to continue what is already the program’s best season. The Horned Frogs have led at halftime in 24 straight games and in an NCAA-best 31 games.
Tennessee and Ohio State could also present stylistic challenges for the Irish if either of the Lady Vols or Buckeyes advance to the Elite Eight. Both programs play a high-octane press and cycle through their benches to keep players fresh. But it is No. 1 Texas that is the favorite in Birmingham 3.
The Longhorns are top-10 nationally in offensive and defensive rating. They are an elite offensive rebounding team, efficient from 2-point range and lead the nation in fouls drawn per game. Sophomore Madison Booker can match Hidalgo and Miles shot-for-shot, and Texas’ defensive pressure frequently tires opponents. The Irish, though, know what the Longhorns are capable of, having defeated them in overtime in December.
In that contest, Texas jumped out to an early lead, but the Irish rallied to take a five-point advantage into halftime. Overtime was eventually needed to decide the winner of what was one of the best nonconference games of the season. In the extra period, Notre Dame outscored Texas 12-2 as Hidalgo asserted herself as the game’s top player. She finished with 30 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals.
The confidence in having already defeated Texas once this season could pay dividends for the Irish. But Notre Dame must first return to the form it was playing earlier this season if it hopes to see the Longhorns again.
The Irish won 19 consecutive games and ascended to the No. 1 spot in the AP poll. But that run feels like a long time ago. Notre Dame hopes to recapture that magic and go on a run to its first Final Four since 2019.
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This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
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