Irish Women Set to Take on UCONN

by Ryan Liedtky

Saturday night the Notre Dame Lady Irish will attempt to end the UCONN Huskies 55 game winning streak. What will it take for the Irish to defeat a team that gave up just 24 points AT Seton Hall?

Notre Dame comes into the game at 15-0, the Huskies enter at 16-0. But the Irish have had a few close calls, especially on the road against tough Big Ten teams like Purdue and Michigan State. UCONN out-ran second-ranked Stanford earlier in the year to a 12 point victory. If the Irish are going to win, they are going to need superior play from their guards.

Freshman guard Skylar Diggins leads the Irish in scoring, but it is her defense I am most looking forward to seeing. The defense is always a key to pulling a major upset, and this Irish squad might just have what it takes. Senior guard Ashley Barlow averages 2.4 steals per game, provides leadership, and with fellow senior guard Melissa Lechlitner, help make this one of the best Irish teams ever.

I remember the 2001 season and the much-hyped match-up with UCONN, an instant classic. This seems to have the same make up as the 2001 season, with both Notre Dame and UCONN coming into the game with confidence. The Irish are scrappy, play four guards, and run their entire game with a defensive mind. Frankly, that is my type of team.

Neither team is tall, but they both make up for that with heart and athleticism. UCONN adds great defense and lots of scoring.

The keys to the game for UCONN will be to overcome Notre Dame's full court press, to shut down and pressure Skylar Diggins, and to frustrate point guard Melissa Lechlitner.

The Irish need to continue what has worked all season, put on a full court press, play physical defense, get to the foul line, and be unselfish and fast.

Come on Saturday! We have a classic in the making.