If you’ve spent any time watching Notre Dame basketball women's games lately, you know the vibe is just... different. There’s this relentless, almost frantic energy that starts the second the ball is tipped. Honestly, it’s a bit exhausting just to watch from the couch. But that’s the Niele Ivey blueprint. It’s fast. It’s loud. And if you aren’t careful, it’ll leave you down by twenty before you’ve even settled into your seat.
Right now, the Irish are navigating a 2025-26 season that feels like a high-wire act. They aren't just playing basketball; they're trying to redefine what the program looks like after a massive roster shakeup.
The Hannah Hidalgo Factor (and Why She’s Not Human)
Let’s be real: any conversation about this team begins and ends with Hannah Hidalgo. She isn't just a point guard; she's a one-woman defensive hurricane.
People love to talk about her scoring, and for good reason—she’s averaging about 25 points per game right now. But that's not even the most impressive part. Have you seen her hands? She currently leads the nation in steals, averaging 5.7 per game. Earlier this season against Akron, she actually set an NCAA Division I record with 16 steals in a single game. Think about that for a second. That is sixteen times she just decided the other team didn't need the ball anymore.
She recently broke Arike Ogunbowale’s record for the most 30-point games in program history. That’s insane when you realize she’s only a junior. She’s currently sitting on a streak of 84 consecutive games in double figures. Basically, every time she steps onto the hardwood, she produces.
Stepping Out of the Shadow
There was a lot of noise over the summer about Olivia Miles. When Miles—a projected top-two WNBA pick—decided to leave for TCU, a lot of "experts" thought the Irish would crumble. They thought the backcourt would be too thin.
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They were wrong.
Instead of folding, players like Cassandre Prosper and Iyana Moore have stepped into the light. Prosper has been a revelation lately, putting up double-doubles like they're going out of style. In her last ten games, she’s been hovering around 19 points and 10 rebounds. She’s 6’3” and moves like a guard, which is a nightmare for ACC defenders who don't know whether to put a big or a wing on her.
Life in the ACC Meat Grinder
It’s January 2026, and the ACC is a total mess in the best way possible. Notre Dame is currently 12-5 overall and 4-3 in the conference. That might not look like a "dominant" record on paper, but you've got to look at who they're playing.
They just dropped a tough one to No. 9 Louisville (66-79), but before that, they were humming. The conference is stacked with Duke and NC State also looking like Final Four contenders. The Irish lead the ACC in almost every statistical "hustle" category:
- Steals per game: 14.8 (8th in the country)
- Scoring offense: 83.6 points
- Free throw percentage: 78.8%
Basically, if you foul them, they punish you. If you get lazy with your passes, they score on the break. It’s a very specific brand of "annoying" basketball that makes ranked opponents hate playing in South Bend.
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The New Faces Making an Impact
It’s not just the Hannah Hidalgo show, though. Niele Ivey has done a masterful job blending transfers and freshmen into the mix.
Iyana Moore, the Vanderbilt transfer, has been a flamethrower from deep. She’s leading the ACC in conference play by hitting 57% of her threes. You can't leave her open. Then you have Leah Macy, the freshman forward from Kentucky, who provides that grit in the paint that the Irish have occasionally lacked in years past.
And we have to mention Gisela Sanchez. She’s the 6’4” veteran presence who keeps the defense organized. She might not always lead the box score, but her ability to disrupt shots and find Hidalgo on the break is the "glue" that keeps this high-speed engine from falling apart.
What People Get Wrong About Niele Ivey
There’s this weird narrative sometimes that Ivey just "inherited" a good situation from Muffet McGraw. Honestly, that’s disrespectful.
Ivey has had to rebuild this culture through a pandemic, a revolving door of injuries, and the chaos of the transfer portal. She’s the fastest coach in ACC history to reach 100 wins as a first-time head coach. That doesn't happen by accident. She’s a recruiter who knows how to talk to this generation of players because she’s been exactly where they are—a star at Notre Dame, a WNBA pro, and an NBA assistant.
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When you see her on the sidelines, she’s not just coaching; she’s vibrating at the same frequency as her players. That energy is why Notre Dame basketball women's remains a destination for top recruits even when the "blue blood" landscape is shifting toward the SEC.
The Road Ahead: UConn and Beyond
The schedule doesn't get any easier. As of today, the Irish are prepping for a massive showdown against No. 1 UConn. It’s one of the best rivalries in the sport. Even though the Irish are 16-39 all-time against the Huskies, they’ve actually won the last three meetings by double digits.
That tells you everything you need to know. This team doesn't care about rankings. They don't care about history. They care about the next forty minutes of hell they can put you through.
How to Follow the Irish Right Now
If you're trying to keep up with the team, don't just look at the AP Top 25. Rankings are lagging indicators. Instead, watch the turnover margin. If the Irish are forcing 20+ turnovers, they win. Period.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the Steal Record: Hannah Hidalgo is only a handful of steals away from breaking Skylar Diggins’ all-time program record of 381. It’s going to happen any day now.
- Track the Home Stand: The Irish are nearly invincible at Purcell Pavilion (10-1 this season). If you can catch a home game, do it. The atmosphere is electric.
- Keep an eye on Iyana Moore’s shooting: If her three-point percentage stays above 50%, Notre Dame becomes almost impossible to outscore in a track meet.
The 2026 season is far from over, and while there have been some bumps in the road, this team has the "it" factor. They have the best guard in the country, a coach who won't back down, and a supporting cast that is finally finding its rhythm.