The USC women’s basketball game against Notre Dame is a battle of top-five teams. USC is No. 3. Notre Dame is No. 5. What will offer a point of separation between the two teams on Saturday in the Galen Center? There are many possible answers. We’re all waiting to see which ones become the true indicators of where these teams stand and how well they currently match up against each other.
USC and coach Lindsay Gottlieb are hoping one decision makes a difference against Notre Dame: the schedule. USC played a very tough season-opening game against Ole Miss, a relentless defensive team which led USC by four points with just over two minutes left in regulation and fell to the Trojans by only two points. Notre Dame chose not to play a similarly formidable opponent before this USC game. The Trojans hope that getting tested and pushed by Ole Miss leaves them more prepared for this super showdown in Los Angeles.
If you look at this statistical compilation from Geoffrey Clark of Fighting Irish Wire, you will see that Notre Dame’s statistical leaders have bigger numbers in various categories than USC’s statistical leaders. That is a product of Notre Dame playing a softer schedule. Ole Miss depressed USC’s overall statistical output. The hope from the USC side is that when Notre Dame comes to the Galen Center, it will run into tough sledding after four relatively uncomplicated games to start its season.
Check out our podcast with Geoffrey Clark on USC women’s basketball versus Notre Dame:
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