Notre Dame Women’s Basketball now claims the #1 ranking in the country

LIGHT UP GRACE HALL (like Niele Ivey’s smile lights up the world)

Before the season began for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, we all knew this would likely be a year they had a chance to compete for and win a national championship. There were so many pieces in place from last season, and the new additions via the transfer portal and recruiting made this team one to watch.

We watched as the Irish took down several top 5 opponents — and we also watched as they were tripped up early in the season. We continue to watch as they stomp right through their ACC schedule, and now they are back to being ranked #1 in the country.

From the ND press release:

Notre Dame Returns to No. 1 in AP Poll

Notre Dame is back on top of the women’s college basketball world.

On Monday, the Irish (22-2, 13-0) nabbed the top spot in the AP Poll for the first time since Jan. 21, 2019. It is also the first time Notre Dame has reached the top of the poll under Karen and Kevin Keyes Family Head Coach Niele Ivey. Notre Dame has now been ranked in the AP Poll for 72 consecutive weeks, the third longest active streak in the nation.

The top-ranked Irish are led by the best backcourt in the country in Sonia Citron, Hannah Hidalgo and Olivia Miles. The three guards have combined for a total of 1258 points, 381 rebounds, 303 assists and 168 steals. Those marks are 59.8 percent, 36.1 percent, 68.1 percent and 60.0 percent of Notre Dame’s totals this season, respectively.

Additionally, Hidalgo ranks second nationally with 25.2 points and 4.1 steals per game, while Miles is pacing the ACC and ranks sixth in the country with 6.3 assists per contest. She is shooting 53.1 percent from the floor, which leads all ACC guards.

The Irish head back out to the court on Monday night, playing host to No. 11 Duke (20-5, 11-2) in a battle of two of the top three teams in the ACC standings. Monday’s game will air on ESPN and tips off at 6 p.m. Notre Dame is 18-4 all-time against Duke and 6-1 at home.