The Notre Dame Fighting Irish women’s basketball team has surged back to national prominence under third-year head coach Niele Ivey, currently sitting at No. 1 in the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2019. With a 22-2 record and a commanding 15-0 ACC standing, the Irish are riding an 18-game winning streak fueled by elite guard play and stifling defense.
Ivey’s Coaching Masterclass
Niele Ivey, a former Notre Dame star player and WNBA veteran, has emerged as the frontrunner for National Coach of the Year. Her emphasis on versatility has transformed the Irish into a balanced powerhouse ranking:
- #4 in scoring offense (88.1 PPG)
- #5 in rebounds per game (44.2)
- Top-15 nationally in steals (11.2/game) and blocks (5.3/game)
Despite losing starters Maddy Westbeld and Liza Karlen to early injuries, Ivey’s roster depth has shined through critical wins over Texas, UConn, and USC.
The Hidalgo-Miles Backcourt Duo
Sophomore sensation Hannah Hidalgo (25.2 PPG, 4.1 SPG) and junior floor general Olivia Miles (6.3 APG) form college basketball’s most dynamic backcourt. Their combined speed and court vision have produced:
| Stat | National Rank |
|---|---|
| Fastbreak Points | 1st |
| Assist-to-Turnover Ratio | 3rd |
The “Silent Assassin” Stealing the Show
While Hidalgo dominates headlines, senior guard Sonia Citron (13.9 PPG, 5.6 RPG) has quietly become Notre Dame’s X-factor. Teammate Liatu King calls her “the glue that holds everything together,” citing her elite perimeter defense and clutch shooting. WNBA scouts now project Citron as a top-10 draft pick due to her two-way versatility.
March Madness Outlook
With three regular-season games remaining, Notre Dame appears poised for a #1 NCAA Tournament seed. Their last loss came on November 24 against Utah, and they’ve since defeated eight ranked opponents by an average margin of 18 points. As guard Olivia Miles told ESPN: “We’re not just chasing championships—we’re built to sustain excellence.”
