Maddy, Nat Decisions Are Paramount ...

As you, MM and others have posted, we're in great shape next year if Maddy and Nat reup.

Still, Kylee is probably out all year and Becky is gone, so having one more big has to cross Niele's mind. Will Cass "move up" to more forward, less guard? Don't know.

- Maddy: The further the Irish go makes you wonder if she'll get hungrier to take the whole dang thing, like sister Kat. Or is that "good enough" and it's time to move on to the pro's? I could see her doing either.

- Nat: If the last three games have shown me anything, it's that extended playing time sure helps talented players settle in, take next steps and contribute. Nat is looking more confident and better knowing she's the Irish's center. She could have a chance to share center duties with Kate Koval and/or move out to spell (or take her the place of) Maddy at forward.

- To me, those moves dictate how many, who and what kind of player Coach Niele and her staff pursue. Plus, how is the Class of Pipeline looking? Kyle Macy? Other forwards?

Stay tuned...we'll know soon enough.

WNBA expansion is a reason to wait a year. It's hard to get

on an established team. Expansion won't happen this year so it says stay.

Plus more visibility in year 5

Maddy seems a bit under radar especially nationally but also in ACC awards even. As team improves and she does so also, couldn’t that help her draft stock in 2025?

The entire ND program is under reported and ignored by media

And awards. The only way to get the deserved recognition is KEEP WINNING!

When ND takes down South Carolina then the media might wake the f up or the might just do sob stories on the losers.

Sorry that's a pet peeve of mine.

HH getting o1st AA in years was a good thing for ND, plus

ESPN giving Niele some COY love for her ACC tourney run was also pretty nice. This year ND got its fair share and if Sonia and Maddy weren't hurt for part of the year I think they would have had more national love.

You afre right though regionals and Final 4s are where you make your mark so it is time to step up. Really it wasn't until last years tourney run where CLark was startign to get her national attention. Hannah has becopme a household name as a Freshman and Olivia had it last year as a sophomore until she got hurt before the tourney. That hurt ND's buzz last year.

Thought About That, But....

...a few random thoughts:

- it was supposed to be two teams entering in 2025, but Portland fell through so it's just 12 more spots, not 24.
- Maddy's really improved. Apparently Carlos Knox has helped her a lot. I'll wager his input will matter to her.
- While the WNBA is the top league overall, one can make a living overseas where one can sharpen your game.
- Those fifth-year injuries to folks like Liz Kitley have to make her take notice.

On the other hand:

- the CBA of the WNBA is set to be redone in 2025, which could result in higher pay across the board, paid "extra" slots on teams, etc.
- Maddy might want to chase that ring. She loves ND and its program...that could be the swaying factor.

We'll see soon enough.

Don’t rule out Toronto. (link)

Click here for link at https://www.sportingnews.com/us/wnba/news/wnba-expansion-tea