Notre Dame’s success starts with coaches
Here are a few numbers ... Notre Dame finished the women’s basketball regular season 32-0, averaging 87 points per contest with a scoring margin of +25.6. The Lady Irish shot 51% from the field, 41% from threepoint land and 75% at the free throw line.
Defensively, the Lady Irish held opponents to less than 38% shooting from the field while forcing more than 18 turnovers per game.
The other day, I was approached by a fan, who asked if I was keeping up with Notre Dame women’s basketball.
My response was, “Absolutely. I’m so proud of them.”
Next came the follow-up question, “What makes them so good?” he asked.
Hmmm ... my initial thoughts to myself were as follows:
Is it the way they run their offense so intentionally, sharing the basketball, exploiting mismatches and executing in time, score, possession situations? Maybe ...
Or is it the fact that they have so many offensive threats, including All-American/player of the year candidates and all-ACC performers Jewell Loyd and Kayla McBride, Olympian post Natalie Achonwa and sharpshooter Michaela Mabrey? Possibly ...
How about the fact the Lady Irish capitalize so quickly on their opponents’ mistakes, converting turnovers into fast-break points? Getting warmer ...
Finally, I answered, “Coach McGraw and her staff.”
Immediately, the fan cocked his head to one side and furrowed his brows, waiting on me to elaborate.
“Notre Dame women’s basketball is so good because of how well-prepared they are for every opponent,” I said. “Coach Muffet McGraw and her staff are responsible.”
There are countless hours that go into scouting game film, making a thorough scouting report, coming up with a game plan, planning practice accordingly, corralling a decent practice scout team for every opponent ... and then executing in the game. Notre Dame is one of the best in the country at this.
They carry over from the huddle to the court so well.
As a player, one’s stress is alleviated and confidence is built knowing that you’re going to battle fully equipped and prepared.
This is what makes Notre Dame so dangerous, and a reason why they will be (a) tough matchup in the NCAA tournament. ESPN contributor Diggins was a consensus All-American and No. 3 overall WNBA draft pick from Notre Dame in 2013. A two-time winner of the Nancy Lieberman award as college women’s basketball’s top point guard, she also was a three-time unanimous all-Big East selection.