The Observer | ndsmcobserver.com page 2 | ndsmcobserver.com The Observer u Irish Insider Friday, March 23, 2012

Commentary Irish ready to reach consecutive Final Fours Six points. That is how close built a tradition of excellence Notre Dame came to winning a that accepts nothing less than national championship last sea- runs at national championships son. Six points. The Irish did every year. She got her first in the seemingly impossible: They 2001 with Ring of Honor resi- knocked off both Tennessee dent Ruth Reilly and current and Connecticut in consecutive assistant coach Niele Ivey. This games to year, it seems as though she advance has all the pieces again. to the The Irish have arguably the national best player in the nation in Dig- champion- gins, a Naismith Award final- ship game. ist. They have a dominant post Forty player in Peters. They have a minutes of lockdown defender in Brittany basketball Mallory. They have a pure scor- against er in Novosel, and they have a Texas strong all-around, young player A&M was Matthew Robison in Kayla McBride. They are all that deep off the bench and they remained Sports Writer play good team defense. between For those reasons and more, Notre Dame for the Irish not to make it out and a title. of Raleigh with a ticket to the But the Irish fell short. Six Final Four would be nothing points. Undoubtedly, the loss less than disappointing. On top haunts coach Muffet McGraw of holding the No. 1 seed in the SARAH O’CONNOR/The Observer and the Irish. But it has only bracket, the Irish have a favor- made them hungrier. One only able draw. It may be demand- Irish junior guard Skylar Diggins dribbles the ball during Notre Dame’s 66-47 victory over has to look at the fire in the ing a lot, but it is not demand- Providence at Purcell Pavilion on Feb. 14. Diggins had 19 points and five assists in the game. eyes of Skylar Diggins as she ing too much. drives to the basket, the con- Should the Irish beat No. 5 centration on Natalie Novosel’s St. Bonaventure in the regional Bonnies stand in way of Elite Eight face as she slashes for a run- semifinal, the possibility of ning jumper or the look of fury a rematch with Texas A&M on Devereaux Peters’ face as awaits. The No. 2 seed is Mary- By MOLLY SAMMON defensive aid of graduate stu- games that helped them reach she gobbles up rebound after land, the ACC champion. Losing Senior Sports Writer dent forward Devereaux Peters, this point. First, the Bonnies offensive rebound. to any of those teams would who averaged 12.3 rebounds topped Florida Gulf Coast in This Notre Dame team looks be unacceptable with the Top-seeded Notre Dame and 3.4 blocks per game in 2012. overtime 72-65 followed by a ready. The Irish have already degree of excellence McGraw knows the routine of Sweet 16 “They are very good 3-point 66-63 win over Marist after knocked off Tennessee, they demands. competition well, as this week- shooting team, they’re very ath- a failed attempt from the Red have already beaten Connecti- The future is certainly bright end’s regional semifinal in Ra- letic, they move the ball really Foxes to tie the game before the cut twice, and the only blem- for Notre Dame, but the present leigh, N.C. is its third appear- well and they do not cause a lot buzzer. ishes on their record so far is just as brilliant. ance in three years this far in of turnovers, so it is going to be The competition on the court are a loss to undefeated No. 1 Every year, the challenge the tournament. But its next a good test for us really defen- is not the only matchup between Baylor, a surprising home upset of winning a national cham- opponent, fifth-seeded St. Bo- sively,” Peters said. Notre Dame and St. Bonaven- at the hands of West Virginia pionship will get harder. The naventure, is a new challenge Peters said that St. Bonaven- ture. Bonnies’ coach Jim Craw- and a disappointing loss to the parity that was once lacking in for the Irish. ture’s way of structuring an out- ley and McGraw are both final- Huskies in the Big East champi- collegiate women’s basketball “[The Sweet 16] is where we side offensive strategy looks like ists for the Naismith Women’s onship game. is developing. One game in expect to be every year, and what she is used to seeing inside Coach of the Year. The road to the national particular points to that trend. now from here on out anything the Big East. McGraw said junior guard championship continues in In the Des Moines bracket, No. can happen,” Irish coach Muffet “I’m just going to play outside Skylar Diggins wears many hats Raleigh this weekend. In their 11 Kansas knocked off No. 3 McGraw said. a little bit more, and definitely while on the court and is critical first two games of the NCAA Delaware. That points to parity Not only is this year the Bon- on offense we’re going to look to Notre Dame’s success on both tournament, the Irish have for two reasons: Delaware, a nies’ first time to compete at the in because they’re more of a ends of the floor. dominated three of four halves mid-major team, locked up a regional semifinal level, this is guard-oriented team,” Peters “[Skylar is] just doing what- of basketball. California man- No. 3 seed in the bracket, and the first year they have qualified said. “We’re going to look in a ever we need her to do. She had aged to keep it tied through the Kansas advanced to the Sweet for the national tournament. little more. I just have to play nine rebounds in the first game, first half of the second round Sixteen as a No. 11 seed. “I think they are a team that guards, which helps a little bit scored 20 points in the second, matchup, but Notre Dame took Women’s basketball is you look and you have not heard because I am usually trying to so she’s really ready,” McGraw control in the second. The becoming a more dynamic a lot about them, so it is easy to usually play that in the Big East. said. “She wants to score, she electricity of the crowd in the game. In that respect, there is look past them and think that Teams like Villanova that play wants to help us win, and if that Purcell Pavilion on Sunday and no better time for Notre Dame we are just going to concentrate a lot of side offense with a lot of means she needs to score, she’ll Tuesday nights was palpable. to capitalize and take home on the next game,” McGraw guards. It shouldn’t be that big do it. She’s comfortable getting Indeed, McGraw picked up the another national title. said. “But this is a really good of a difference for us.” the assist, getting good steal, public address announcer’s It’s Denver or bust. The time team. They’re number one in The Irish played their first two playing good defense, she’ll do a microphone after the game, is now. the nation in turnover margin, rounds of the NCAA tournament little bit of everything. telling the crowd there was no they do not turn the ball over at the Purcell Pavilion, and the “The big stage is the big place way Notre Dame would have Contact Matthew Robison at and they shoot it really well. trip to Raleigh starts what really for her. She really plays well as won without that support. [email protected] They have the No. 1 three-point feel like a tournament, McGraw the competition steps up.” The best news for Irish fans The views expressed in this shooter in the country.” said. A win against the Bonnies is that trips to the Final Four column are those of the author The Irish and Bonnies share “It has a tournament feel would advance the Irish to face have become what are expect- and not necessarily those of an identical 31-1 record heading when you’re traveling and you the winner of second-seeded ed for Notre Dame. McGraw has The Observer. into their third round match-up. get to have the team to yourself, Maryland and third-seeded Tex- The Irish finished the season at watch a lot more film and do a as A&M in the elite eight, each No. 4 with losses to top-ranked lot more things with them,” Mc- an underdog to Notre Dame’s Baylor and Big East opponents Graw said. place atop the regional. Connecticut and West Virginia. At home, Notre Dame beat “This time we’re the No. 1 St. Bonaventure fell to Dela- Liberty 74-43 in the first round. seed, and I think that puts a lit- ware, Villanova and Dayton In its second game of the tour- tle different look on it,” McGraw twice, once in the regular sea- nament, eighth-seeded Califor- said. “I think that there is maybe son and in the Atlantic-10 con- nia was tied with the Irish at a little more pressure on us, but ference tournament final. halftime, but Notre Dame took we’re trying really not to think “We beat three No. 2 seeds in off on a 10-2 run at the begin- about that. We’re trying really the tournament, and we beat ning of the second half for a 72- just to focus on St. Bonaventure. a No. 1 seed twice, so for us, I 63 victory. Irish senior guard That’s the big game for us.” think we are playing the level Natalie Novosel finished with 28 The Irish will play the Bon- of competition that we are used points against the Golden Bears. nies in the Sweet 16 round of the to,” McGraw said. “But for them, “After the game, I really liked NCAA tournament at PNC Are- they are very similar to us in that we had a really tough game na in Raleigh, N.C. at 2:30 p.m. that they are a veteran team. going into it, I was really wor- Sunday. A win qualifies them for They have juniors and seniors ried about that, thinking they the Elite Eight portion of the na- on the starting line-up, they were under-seeded, and it was tional tournament, where they have played together for three going to be a really good game,” will play the winner of second- or four years, they really know McGraw said. “But now that seeded Maryland and third- each other well, they don’t turn we’ve had that experience, I seeded Texas A&M on Tuesday the ball over, take care of the think we really needed it. at the same location. little things and pay attention to St. Bonaventure rides the ex- the details.” citement of its first time at the Contact Molly Sammon at The Irish will depend on the Sweet 16 on the two nail-biting [email protected] Friday, March 23, 2012 The Observer u Irish Insider ndsmcobserver.com | page 3 Getting ‘Nasty’ Irish senior guard’s tough demeanor, scoring prowess power Notre Dame into Sweet Sixteen

By JOSEPH MONARDO game. Sports Writer “Nat’s been amazing,” Pe- ters said. “She has been a Whatever it takes, Natalie huge offensive threat for us Novosel is willing to do it. … it has been great for us The senior guard can drain because whenever we really jumpers, make the right pass, need a basket and we have slash to the basket and finish been going through a drought at the rim. And she does it all or things haven’t been falling, with regularity. we can always count on Nat to After pedestrian freshman get to the basket and get a la- and sophomore seasons, No- yup and get to the line, so she vosel emerged as one of the has been great for us and she nation’s best players as a ju- has grown a lot in the past two nior. In the 2010-2011 sea- years.” son, Novosel started all 39 Having grown into a leader games for the Irish, improving on the score sheet, Novosel her previous season’s aver- eased into a position of lead- age of five points per game to ership on the team naturally, a team-leading 15.1. Novosel she said. reached double-digit scoring “I think I am a leader by ex- totals in 33 games as a ju- ample,” the senior said. “They nior after reaching the mark always tell me that I work the only 19 times total her first hardest and make the hustle two seasons and posted seven plays — I think everybody 20-point performances and [on this team] does that. But made a school-record 183 free I think that just being an ex- throws. ample on the court and always Following her stellar third giving 100 percent [makes me year, Novosel received an invi- a leader].” tation to compete in the World Novosel exhibited her lead- GRANT TOBIN/The Observer University Games alongside ership ability multiple times Irish senior guard Natalie Novosel attempts a layup during Notre Dame’s 74-43 win over Irish junior guard Skylar Dig- this season, most notably Liberty during the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Purcell Pavilion on Mar. 18. gins and by netting a g r a d u a t e game-win- In Notre Dame’s 92-83 vic- most ever made in an NCAA the game, Novosel contributed student for- ning buzzer tory over then-No. 7 Kentucky tournament game. The game’s 14 points and four rebounds in ward De- “I don’t really think beater against on Dec. 18 at Purcell Pavilion, leading scorer also brought 27 minutes as the Irish fell 76- vereaux Pe- No. 7 Duke to Novosel scored 23 points and down nine rebounds and re- 70 to the Aggies. ters. anybody can guard her capture the grabbed seven rebounds to corded four steals on the night. “It was really tough because “That just ... She is very deceptive Junkaroo Jam help the Irish avenge a loss to Novosel’s 84.5 percent shoot- I had not been in foul trouble gave me a with her game and her title in the the Wildcats during the 2010 ing from the stripe this year is all year,” Novosel said. “It is lot of con- moves and the way she Bahamas on season. a product of a simple concept, all about how you respond in fidence, to slashes to the baskets Nov. 26. No- “It was a great win for me,” she said. the second half and not getting know that I and gets around people.” vosel shot just Novosel said after that con- “Repetition,” Novosel said. down on yourself and keeping was one of 6-of-20 from test. “I thanked every one of “[I am] in the gym always just your confidence up and not the premier Devereaux Peters the field for [my teammates]. I’m just re- shooting the same shot at the trying to gain it all back in the players in the game, in- ally happy; it felt really good free throw line and making first few minutes of the second the nation Irish graduate student forward cluding 1-of-10 to get that win and a little re- sure I see the ball go in.” half. I think [from now on], and to have shooting in the venge.” Even when she is not able to just once I get that first foul in Dev and Sky first half, but Much of Novosel’s success draw a foul, Novosel’s ability the first 10 minutes, just back on the same finished with is a product to penetrate off a little bit and let my team- team,” No- 15 points and of her versa- the lane cre- mates help me.” vosel said. “That’s three play- propelled the Irish to victory tility, Peters “I think I am a leader ates other Novosel will try to be there ers on one team, we were able with her jump shot as time ex- said. Able to by example ... They opportunities for the Irish when it matters to just come back and [it] just pired. score from always tell me that I for the Irish this year as they head into the kind of [motivated] us and However, for the native of inside and work the hardest and offense, Pe- Sweet 16 and potentially be- [showed] us what we can do Lexington, Ky., another game out, the se- make the hustle plays ters said. yond. this year, and I think that was provided the top memory from nior guard — I think everybody [on “Especially With at most four games really exciting.” this season. presents a this team] does that. when [she remaining in the season, No- In her final season, Novosel “I would say, definitely, the s i g n i f i c a n t drives] to the vosel approaches the end of has not experienced any drop- Kentucky game — avenging challenge to But I think that just paint — if she what has been an impressive off from her breakout cam- last year’s loss [was the high- opposing de- being an example on drives past career. In a 99-34 win over paign last year. The guard is light],” she said. “And then, fenses. the court and always somebody, Indiana State during the Pre- averaging 15.3 points, four my buzzer-beater in the Baha- “I don’t re- giving 100 percent somebody has season WNIT at Purcell Pa- rebounds and two assists per mas, that was really fun.” ally think [make me a leader].” to pick her vilion, Novosel became just anybody up, and it is the 29th Irish player to reach can guard Natalie Novosel usually the 1,000 points in a career (Pe- her,” Peters Irish senior guard person that is ters became the 30th on Dec. said. “She is on the block, 28, joining Novosel and ju- very decep- which is my nior guard Skylar Diggins on tive with her man,” she the list). Another individual game and her moves and the said. “So that opens up a lot of achievement is within the an- way she slashes to the baskets possessions for me to either get thropology major’s grasp, as and gets around people.” offensive rebounds or for her she is one of 10 finalists select- However, when her jumpers to dish it off to me, or whatever ed for the Lowe’s Senior Class are not falling or she is unable it may be at the time.” Award in women’s basketball. to find an open shot, Novosel While Novosel takes pride “It is just really humbling [to turns to the aspect of her game in her ability to get to the foul be considered],” Novosel said. that most closely corresponds line and draw fouls on oppo- “To be honest, every rep in to her nickname: “Nasty.” nents, she found herself on the summer, all those sprints, The 5-foot-11 guard has the the wrong side of that process all those community service speed to attack the basket and during the most important hours, it is just nice to be rec- the strength to finish layups game of her career. ognized.” while absorbing contact, often In the national semifinal The award winner will be drawing a foul in the process. game last year, Novosel helped announced during the Final “I think [having an inside to guide the second-seeded Four in Denver, held from game] is huge for me, because Irish to the national champi- April 1-3, but Novosel hopes when my outside shots aren’t onship game with 22 points to be busy preparing for the falling and I can get confi- in a 72-63 victory over top- national championship game dence at the free throw line, I seeded Connecticut. Novosel about that time. The senior think that is what is most im- drilled a 3- pointer with 7:38 will approach the final games portant,” she said. “Also, get- remaining in the game to open in her career with the same ting the other players in foul up a 12-point lead for the Irish attitude that has accompanied trouble so we can open up oth- as they held on for their first her all along, and she is will- er people, I think that is key.” win against the Huskies in ing to do anything to accom- In Sunday’s 73-62 win over four tries. plish her goal. California in the second round However, in the final against “Win. I don’t even care how of the NCAA tournament, No- No. 2 seed Texas A&M, Novosel we do it, I just want to win,” vosel powered the Irish of- spent much of the first half on she said. JULIE HERDER/The Observer fense with 28 points, in large the bench with two fouls and Irish senior guard Natalie Novosel controls the ball during an 80-68 part by making 18-of-20 shots only managed six points in Contact Joseph Monardo at win on senior day over South Florida at Purcell Pavilion on Feb. 25. from the free-throw line, the eight minutes on the court. For [email protected] page 4 | ndsmcobserver.com The Observer u Irish Insider Friday, March 23, 2012

PAT COVENEY/The Observer PAT COVENEY/The Observer

PAT COVENEY/The Observer PAT COVENEY/The Observer

Clockwise from top left: Irish graduate-student forward Devereaux Peters goes for a layup during a 73-62 win over California on March 20; the Irish huddle before their win over California; sophomore forward Natalie Achonwa battles in the paint against Cal; senior guard Natalie Novosel drives during Notre Dame’s victory over the Bears.

No. 2 Maryland (30-4, 12-4 ACC) Round Two: No. 1 Notre Dame 73, No. 8 California Possible Elite 8 matchup 62 Second-seeded Maryland passed through the first Irish coach Muffet McGraw round of the tournament said she was worried the with ease, topping Navy Bears were underseeded, by a score of 59-44. They and her fears were war- struggled in the second ranted. California chal- round, as seventh-seeded lenged the Irish throughout Louisville held a five-point the game, led by junior lead, before a Terrapin guard Layshia Claren- 13-4 run earned them don’s 17 points. The teams a 72-68 win. Maryland entered halftime locked No. 5 Saint Bonaventure opened the season with a at 31, but the Irish began (31-3, 14-0 Atlantic-10) 16-game win streak and the second half on a 10-2 finished 25-4 overall, with run. 10 second-half steals Sweet 16 matchup an ACC championship and helped the Irish get out in Not only is this the fifth- No. 6 ranking. They lost to transition and stifle the seeded Bonnies’ first time Duke, Virginia Tech and California offense. Novosel in the Sweet 16, it is their twice to Miami during the scored 28 points on the first-ever appearance in regular season. night, Diggins added 21 the national tournament. 4 and Peters had a career- Though they far sur- high seven blocks to go passed their season goal of No. 3 Texas A&M (24-10, with her 11 points and 17 qualifying for the tourna- 11-7 Big 12) Round One: No. 1 Notre rebounds. ment, it was not easy for Dame 74, No. 16 Liberty 2 them to get there. In the Possible Elite 8 matchup 43 first round, St. Bonaven- The Irish have a chance to ture outperformed Florida meet the defending nation- The Irish began the game Gulf Coast in overtime for al champions in the Elite on an 11-0 run and cruised a 72-65 victory in which Eight, the same Aggies to victory in their tourna- they erased an 11-point they fell to by six points in ment-opener against Lib- hole with six minutes to last season’s champion- erty. McBride led the Irish play. Next, St. Bonaventure ship. Third-seeded Texas with 15 points, 13 in the barely snuck by Marist to A&M pushed Albany out first half, in her first-ever qualify for the Sweet 16 in the first round by 22 NCAA tournament game. when a long 3-point at- points, then almost fell to Novosel and Peters each tempt by the Foxes fell flat sixth-seeded Arkansas. scored in double figures, and the Bonnies won 66- The Aggies were saved by a and Diggins filled the score 63. In the regular season, pair of free throws, giving sheet with seven points, the Bonnies’ went 31-3, them a two-point win. In nine rebounds and six as- highlighted by an 18-game the regular season, Texas sists. win streak and climbed to A&M topped out at No. 6 at 1 a No. 19 ranking. the beginning of the sea- 3 son, slowly dropping to No. 14 at the end with a 24-10 record. 5