Notre Dame has been in the NCAA Tournament almost every year since the mid-1990s. But the current tournament streak only is at three. The Irish share that streak with Ole Miss, which hadn’t appeared since 2007 before its current streak. That’s a testament to how Yolett McPhee-McCuin has turned the Rebels around in the six seasons she’s been their coach.
The Rebels have gotten progressively better in the tournament over the past couple of years, following a first-round exit in 2022 with a Sweet 16 appearance in 2023. On paper at least, a second-round loss to the Irish would represent a step backwards. But the Irish are trying to keep their own Sweet 16 streak alive as a win would send them there for the third year in a row. Program reputations will be on the line in this game.
Let’s take a look at the players most likely to influence the outcome. Keep in mind that this list doesn’t include injured Irish blocks leader [autotag]Kylee Watson[/autotag]:
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