Ignatius L Hoops
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Can the Gophers Go 3-0 at Purcell Pavilion?
While Minnesota (5-1) took a Thanksgiving break from non-conference games, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (5-4), traveled south to face three teams in the land of the Maya. So, after dropping out of the AP top 25 ranking for the first time in 12 years, Notre Dame visited the site of another culture that suffered a dramatic decline. However, unlike the Maya, the Irish are expected to rebound from their recent slide. After all, playing basketball is less lethal than playing Mayan Pok-ta-tok. Still, the trip’s 1-2 record was a reminder that this year’s UND is not your last decade’s UND.
The Irish opened the Riviera Maya tournament dropping games to Florida Gulf Coast, 60-69, and South Dakota State, 55-69. Then as a reminder of past glories the Irish rebounded to defeat #21 South Florida, 67-51. In the South Dakota State loss, Notre Dame was 1-17 from three. For the season, the Irish are 30-128 (.234) from behind the arc. In the FCGC loss, the Irish committed 25 turnovers. For the season, Notre Dame has committed 151 turnovers (16.7/game) while forcing 178 (19.8/game). The Irish are not good free throw shooters hitting 132-209 from the line (.632). It’s still a team looking for an identity.
As everyone knows, Notre Dame lost last season’s starting five to graduation and the WNBA. As a result, more voids exist than noted recruits Sam Brunnelle and Anaya People can fill. A further hurdle was the loss of 6’3” junior center, Mikayla Vaughn whom suffered a right knee injury early in the season. The good news is that Vaughn is expected to return. Muffet McGraw, in her 33rd season as Irish head coach, is using a short rotation. With Vaughn out, it is basically a seven player rotation with five players playing over 30 minutes a game:
36.6 Destinee Walker
35.5 Marta Sniezek
33.5 Sam Brunelle
33.3 Kaitlyn Gilbert
31.3 Anaya Peoples
Before leaving for Mexico, Notre Dame won at Toledo and, more impressively, defeated Michigan in Ann Arbor. At Michigan, Irish grad transfer Destinee Walker poured in 27 points (5-8 from three). For good measure, the Irish forced Michigan into 24 turnovers (which included 17 steals) and outscored the Wolverines in the 4th quarter 19-11 while rallying for the win. Early in the season, Notre Dame lost to Tennessee and Michigan State in South Bend. The Michigan State loss was a close one with the Irish missing a three pointer which would’ve tie the game in the closing seconds. Notre Dame remains a headache for B1G teams-except maybe Minnesota.
Wins (5): @ Fordham 60-55, Loyola Maryland 84-60, @Toledo 54-51, @Michigan 76-72, (N)South Florida, 67-51.
Losses (4): Tennessee 63-74, Michigan State 69-72, (N) Florida Gulf Coast 60-69, (N) South Dakota State 59-65.
The Series: Minnesota has faced Notre Dame twice (1994 and 2009). Both games were at Notre Dame and in the NCAA tourney. And in both games, Minnesota was a 10 seed and Notre Dame a 7 seed. The Gophers are 2-0 versus the homestanding Irish.
In 1994, Carol Ann Shudlick led five Gophers in double figures with 19 points as Minnesota upset the Irish 81-76. Notre Dame’s Beth (Morgan) Cunningham, now a Notre Dame assistant, led all scorers with 26 points. (Of course, we remember Cunningham for resigning from VCU thereby making possible VCU’s hiring of Marlene Stollings and, subsequently, Stollings move to Minnesota.)
In 2009, Emily Fox scored 23 points and Katie Ohm 15 (5-9 from three) as Minnesota triumphed 79-71. Zoe Harper contributed 13 rebounds and 8 points. Minnesota has a winning tradition to uphold.
Season Stats:
Probable Starters:
5’10” G So. Katlyn Gilbert: 14.9 point per game
6’2” F Fr Sam Brunnelle: 13.3 ppg
5’10” G Gr Destinee Walker: 13.7 ppg
5’10” G Fr Anaya Peoples: 14.0 ppg
5’8” G Gr Maria Sniezek: 4.0 ppg
Others:
6’4” F So Danielle Cosgrove: 4.4 ppg
5’10” G Sr Kaitlin Cole: .6 ppg
6’3” C Jr Mikayla Vaughn
While Minnesota (5-1) took a Thanksgiving break from non-conference games, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (5-4), traveled south to face three teams in the land of the Maya. So, after dropping out of the AP top 25 ranking for the first time in 12 years, Notre Dame visited the site of another culture that suffered a dramatic decline. However, unlike the Maya, the Irish are expected to rebound from their recent slide. After all, playing basketball is less lethal than playing Mayan Pok-ta-tok. Still, the trip’s 1-2 record was a reminder that this year’s UND is not your last decade’s UND.
The Irish opened the Riviera Maya tournament dropping games to Florida Gulf Coast, 60-69, and South Dakota State, 55-69. Then as a reminder of past glories the Irish rebounded to defeat #21 South Florida, 67-51. In the South Dakota State loss, Notre Dame was 1-17 from three. For the season, the Irish are 30-128 (.234) from behind the arc. In the FCGC loss, the Irish committed 25 turnovers. For the season, Notre Dame has committed 151 turnovers (16.7/game) while forcing 178 (19.8/game). The Irish are not good free throw shooters hitting 132-209 from the line (.632). It’s still a team looking for an identity.
As everyone knows, Notre Dame lost last season’s starting five to graduation and the WNBA. As a result, more voids exist than noted recruits Sam Brunnelle and Anaya People can fill. A further hurdle was the loss of 6’3” junior center, Mikayla Vaughn whom suffered a right knee injury early in the season. The good news is that Vaughn is expected to return. Muffet McGraw, in her 33rd season as Irish head coach, is using a short rotation. With Vaughn out, it is basically a seven player rotation with five players playing over 30 minutes a game:
36.6 Destinee Walker
35.5 Marta Sniezek
33.5 Sam Brunelle
33.3 Kaitlyn Gilbert
31.3 Anaya Peoples
Before leaving for Mexico, Notre Dame won at Toledo and, more impressively, defeated Michigan in Ann Arbor. At Michigan, Irish grad transfer Destinee Walker poured in 27 points (5-8 from three). For good measure, the Irish forced Michigan into 24 turnovers (which included 17 steals) and outscored the Wolverines in the 4th quarter 19-11 while rallying for the win. Early in the season, Notre Dame lost to Tennessee and Michigan State in South Bend. The Michigan State loss was a close one with the Irish missing a three pointer which would’ve tie the game in the closing seconds. Notre Dame remains a headache for B1G teams-except maybe Minnesota.
Wins (5): @ Fordham 60-55, Loyola Maryland 84-60, @Toledo 54-51, @Michigan 76-72, (N)South Florida, 67-51.
Losses (4): Tennessee 63-74, Michigan State 69-72, (N) Florida Gulf Coast 60-69, (N) South Dakota State 59-65.
The Series: Minnesota has faced Notre Dame twice (1994 and 2009). Both games were at Notre Dame and in the NCAA tourney. And in both games, Minnesota was a 10 seed and Notre Dame a 7 seed. The Gophers are 2-0 versus the homestanding Irish.
In 1994, Carol Ann Shudlick led five Gophers in double figures with 19 points as Minnesota upset the Irish 81-76. Notre Dame’s Beth (Morgan) Cunningham, now a Notre Dame assistant, led all scorers with 26 points. (Of course, we remember Cunningham for resigning from VCU thereby making possible VCU’s hiring of Marlene Stollings and, subsequently, Stollings move to Minnesota.)
In 2009, Emily Fox scored 23 points and Katie Ohm 15 (5-9 from three) as Minnesota triumphed 79-71. Zoe Harper contributed 13 rebounds and 8 points. Minnesota has a winning tradition to uphold.
Season Stats:
Probable Starters:
5’10” G So. Katlyn Gilbert: 14.9 point per game
6’2” F Fr Sam Brunnelle: 13.3 ppg
5’10” G Gr Destinee Walker: 13.7 ppg
5’10” G Fr Anaya Peoples: 14.0 ppg
5’8” G Gr Maria Sniezek: 4.0 ppg
Others:
6’4” F So Danielle Cosgrove: 4.4 ppg
5’10” G Sr Kaitlin Cole: .6 ppg
6’3” C Jr Mikayla Vaughn
