First, regarding Lili Thompson, all I will say for now is don't expect her in the lineup after her fall at Wake Forest on Sunday. The University hasn't released anything, but I've been told the news is not good.
The Irish (13-1, 2-0) look to remain undefeated at home in ACC play when the Irish host Miami (11-3, 1-0) tonight, with tip-off at 7 p.m. ET and stream live on ACCN Extra. Notre Dame leads the all-time series vs Miami, 19-4, and have won four straight against the Hurricanes.
The starting five for ND still has 5 McDonald's All-Americans with Jessica Shepard and Kathryn Westbeld up front, and then Jackie Young, Arike Ogunbowale and Marina Mabrey in the backcourt. The problem is the bench now has only two scholarship players in fifth-year senior Kristina Nelson and freshman Danielle Patterson (another former McDonald's AA). Three walk-ons have been added since the fall: guards Kaitlin Cole and Nicole Benz, and forward Maureen Butler.
The Irish entered ACC play shooting 30.0 percent from beyond the arc, averaging 4.3 made three’s per game. Yet over the past two games to begin ACC play, the Irish have knocked down 13-of-26 (.500) from deep. Mabrey has gone 6-for-11 (.545) from beyond the arc over the past two games.
Miami is on a six-game win streak that started with a 65-54 upset over then Kentucky and most recently knocked off Duke, 51-48. It is one of only two teams to defeat ND in ACC play the past five years.
Senior Erykah Davenport recorded her fourth double-double in the win vs. Duke with 13 points and 14 rebounds. Davenport is Miami’s second leading scorer, averaging 10.9 points per game with her league best 9.6 rebounds. The top scoring spot belongs to freshman guard Mykea Gray, who averages 14.1 points per game on 40.4 percent shooting from the floor. Three of Miami’s top five scorers this season are freshman guards.
Defensively, the Hurricanes are allowing only 57.4 points per game while ranking 10th in the nation in turnovers forced with 23.3 per game. Miami also ranks 31st in steals per game with 11.3.
The Irish (13-1, 2-0) look to remain undefeated at home in ACC play when the Irish host Miami (11-3, 1-0) tonight, with tip-off at 7 p.m. ET and stream live on ACCN Extra. Notre Dame leads the all-time series vs Miami, 19-4, and have won four straight against the Hurricanes.
The starting five for ND still has 5 McDonald's All-Americans with Jessica Shepard and Kathryn Westbeld up front, and then Jackie Young, Arike Ogunbowale and Marina Mabrey in the backcourt. The problem is the bench now has only two scholarship players in fifth-year senior Kristina Nelson and freshman Danielle Patterson (another former McDonald's AA). Three walk-ons have been added since the fall: guards Kaitlin Cole and Nicole Benz, and forward Maureen Butler.
The Irish entered ACC play shooting 30.0 percent from beyond the arc, averaging 4.3 made three’s per game. Yet over the past two games to begin ACC play, the Irish have knocked down 13-of-26 (.500) from deep. Mabrey has gone 6-for-11 (.545) from beyond the arc over the past two games.
Miami is on a six-game win streak that started with a 65-54 upset over then Kentucky and most recently knocked off Duke, 51-48. It is one of only two teams to defeat ND in ACC play the past five years.
Senior Erykah Davenport recorded her fourth double-double in the win vs. Duke with 13 points and 14 rebounds. Davenport is Miami’s second leading scorer, averaging 10.9 points per game with her league best 9.6 rebounds. The top scoring spot belongs to freshman guard Mykea Gray, who averages 14.1 points per game on 40.4 percent shooting from the floor. Three of Miami’s top five scorers this season are freshman guards.
Defensively, the Hurricanes are allowing only 57.4 points per game while ranking 10th in the nation in turnovers forced with 23.3 per game. Miami also ranks 31st in steals per game with 11.3.
