Change is in the air for the Notre Dame women’s basketball program, and it’s not just the season that’s turning over. This year, everything feels different—from the faces on the court to the energy in the locker room. But here’s where it gets intriguing: after a stunning collapse last season, the team is starting from scratch, rebuilding not just their roster but their identity. And this is the part most people miss—it’s not just about replacing players; it’s about redefining what it means to be Notre Dame women’s basketball.
Step into Rolfs Hall, and the transformation is palpable. Gone are the familiar faces from last season’s highlight reel—the players who made those clutch layups, grabbed those crucial rebounds, or led the celebrations. Even the all-star guard Hannah Hidalgo, who could drop 30 points a game this season, might find that it’s not enough to carry the team alone. This could be a bumpy ride, but it’s also a chance for something new.
If last October felt like a masterclass in women’s basketball, this year feels more like Basketball 101. Head coach Niele Ivey and her staff are back to basics, teaching fundamentals, introducing new terminology, and drilling the team on the standard of excellence Notre Dame is known for. But here’s the controversial part: is starting over the right move after such a dramatic fall? Or is this program risking its legacy by rebuilding from the ground up?
The contrast is stark. Last season, the team was a well-oiled machine, ranked No. 1 with 19 straight wins and dreams of a Final Four. Then, everything unraveled. A double-overtime loss to North Carolina State marked the beginning of the end. Notre Dame lost four of its final eight games, bowed out in the Sweet 16, and saw eight players leave—some to the WNBA, others to the transfer portal. It was a collapse no one saw coming, and even now, months later, the reasons remain unclear.
This season, the team is a blank canvas. Seven newcomers, including six transfers, join returnees like KK Bransford, Hannah Hidalgo, and Cass Prosper. But is this a recipe for success or a gamble that could backfire? Bransford sees it as an opportunity: ‘It gives us the chance to make what we want with this team. Finding our identity has been fun this offseason.’ Yet, fun doesn’t always translate to wins, especially when the competition is fierce.
Ivey is taking full responsibility for last season’s downfall and using it as a learning experience. ‘I’m taking ownership of everything,’ she said. ‘The highs and lows, I’m responsible for. It’s helped me grow.’ But growth takes time, and this season’s expectations are tempered. Making it back to the NCAA Tournament would be a win. Hosting the first and second rounds? That would be a triumph.
Here’s the question that’s dividing fans: Can a team with so many new pieces truly compete at the highest level, or is this a rebuilding year destined for growing pains? Ivey isn’t worried about outside perceptions. ‘We had a target on our back last year; this year, we’re probably under the radar,’ she said. ‘That doesn’t matter to us. It never matters who we are outside of our locker room.’
Notre Dame will fight. They’ll scrap. They’ll believe. But will it be enough? Winters in South Bend can be brutal, and this one might test the team’s resolve like never before. Bundle up—this season is going to be a wild ride.
What do you think? Can Notre Dame rise from the ashes, or is this a rebuilding year that will test even the most loyal fans? Let us know in the comments!
