Is Notre Dame in Peril? Niele Ivey's Position Under Fire

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Notre Dame's Struggles Begin with a Disappointing Loss

Notre Dame’s head coach, Niele Ivey, faced a tough reality as her team fell to unranked Georgia Tech in a thrilling overtime game, 95-90. This loss marked the beginning of their ACC conference play and came after they had led by as many as 14 points during the game.

“I’m frustrated with the loss. It didn’t feel like we were ready to play today. It’s my job to get this team ready,” Ivey said after the game, showing signs of emotional strain. Her usual composed demeanor was disrupted, with her signature curls tucked into a bun and a choppy speech pattern that hinted at the pressure she was under.

The game was a stark reminder of how quickly things can turn in college basketball. Despite an 11-0 run by Notre Dame in the third quarter, which gave them a 14-point lead, defensive lapses allowed Georgia Tech to make a comeback. The Yellow Jackets, led by player Walker, who scored a career-high 33 points, showed resilience and determination throughout the game.

Georgia Tech's performance was impressive, shooting 53% from the field and outscoring Notre Dame's bench 21-11. Their bench contributions included four crucial three-pointers from Catherine Alben, including a buzzer-beating shot that cut the lead to six points. The Jackets also outrebounded the Fighting Irish 42-36 and scored over half of their points (52) in the paint. This aggressive playstyle mirrored the pressure that Ivey is facing in South Bend.

Ivey may not admit it, but her position as head coach seems to be under increasing scrutiny. Under her leadership, Notre Dame has made four consecutive Sweet 16 appearances. However, recent performances have raised concerns, especially during the 2024-25 season when the team suffered three ranked losses to ACC opponents. These setbacks have left fans and analysts questioning whether the program is on the right track.

Looking at the current roster, Ivey is dealing with a revamped team. Four key players have left for the transfer portal, including Olivia Miles and Sonia Citron, while Hannah Hidalgo remains as the lone returning starter. The new starting lineup includes a mix of grad transfers, seniors, and Hidalgo, but the team is also battling injuries, which complicates efforts to build consistency and cohesion.

Hidalgo has been a cornerstone of Notre Dame’s offense and defense for three of the six years of Ivey’s coaching tenure. When she struggles, the team often falters, regardless of other players on the court. The loss to Georgia Tech was a wake-up call for the team, highlighting the need for improvement in focus and execution.

With the upcoming schedule featuring tough matchups against Duke, North Carolina, Louisville, and UConn, the stakes are high for Notre Dame. The team must find its identity quickly to survive the back half of the season. For Ivey, the pressure is mounting, and the next few weeks will be critical in determining the future of her coaching tenure.

“I think this game put a mirror to their face about things that we have to be better at,” Ivey said. “I didn’t think that we were focused, ready to play today. I thought it took us a while to get going within our identity of what our expectation is.”

As the season progresses, Notre Dame must address these issues head-on. Consistent defense and improved focus will be essential if the team hopes to avoid another disappointing end to the season. With the NCAA tournament conversation still ahead, the Fighting Irish have a chance to prove that they can bounce back from this loss and regain their footing.