Five things Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey said about Michigan before second round NCAA Tournament matchup
No. 3 seed Notre Dame faces No. 6 seed Michigan with a spot in the Sweet 16 on the line Sunday. Here are five things Fighting Irish head coach Niele Ivey said Saturday about her team’s matchup with the Wolverines.
On Michigan’s five-guard lineup
I think we’re prepared. We’ve had multiple matchups this season with four-guard lineups. Cal played five-guard lineups that we’re very prepared for if that’s the case, that Michigan decides to have that rotation in. We just have to adjust. I have been working with our forwards or we have been working with our forwards all season with depending on the perimeter and things like that, so we’ll be prepared.
On Michigan’s lineup being freshman-heavy
I think Michigan’s guards, no matter if they’re freshman or not, they’re playing great basketball. They have freshman of the year in Olivia Olson so I’m always leaning on my vets for experience and I think this game is going to allow everyone to emerge, no matter what class you’re in.
On Michigan potentially going big to combat Notre Dame’s perceived weakness in the post
We’re going to adjust to whatever we see, whatever time of matchups we see, so in lineups, and I have versatile posts that can also defend on the perimeter or do a great job of trying to defend on the block so we’re just going to adjust to whatever Michigan throws at us.
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On Michigan liking to play in transition just like Notre Dame
Our identity is pushing pace, so we’re not going to change anything for the game. I always feel like the game dictate was we do, but we definitely like to get out and run and we’re going to continue doing that.
On Notre Dame being able to go at Michigan with Maddy Westbeld and Liatu King
I think everybody’s role is going to be big tomorrow. We’re going to rely on everybody and it depends on what type of team we have multiple scoring weapons and each game somebody else emerges. Each game somebody else steps up for us. Those two are two forwards that I really rely on. I’m expecting them to come in and make an immediate impact in the game defensively or offensively and I just want them to play with confidence.
I feel like I’m always trying to dominate in the paint. I think I have, again, versatile scorers who can face-up. Liza Karlen can face-up. She can shoot the three, but she also goes down low, and Kate Koval, she does a great job with her presence, so I want to be able to utilize our post play at all times.
