Everything Notre Dame's Niele Ivey, Hannah Hidalgo, Cassandre Prosper said at ACC Tipoff

ACC Tipoff is the unofficial signal of the start of basketball season for Notre Dame. Tuesday, the Fighting Irish were represented in Charlotte at the Atlantic Coast Conference’s annual basketball media day by head coach Niele Ivey and guards Hannah Hidalgo and Cassandre Prosper.

This is everything they said during their formal press session.

Notre Dame head coach Niele Ivey

On how Notre Dame practices have been and what to expect from the Fighting Irish
“They’ve been great the first couple of practices. A lot of energy. This group has done a great job of being very intentional with building their chemistry off the court. We had a couple of players that were playing overseas this summer, so the first couple of practices and also the preseason, they’ve done a great job of just really connecting. They work really hard.

“Again, we just brought in the right pieces that fit our culture. But just their work ethic, their experience, and everyone has gotten better. I think that’s something I’m really excited about. Everybody has come in working on a different skill that’s going to help us succeed this season.

On if Notre Dame has had any style changes with an influx of new players
“Yeah, actually, yes. A little bit more five out. We might play a little bit of four guard look. That’s going to require a lot of pace, a lot of space. Those are things that I’m implementing right now, just getting some great flow within our offense, spacing the floor out a little bit.

“Again, just trying to highlight the strengths of this group and developing what that’s going to look like is something that I’m excited about.”

On Cassandre Prosper’s length at guard
“Yes, exactly. She’s 6’3″. She looks like she’s 6’4″ now. She’s had a tremendous summer. She came back this summer for the first time. She’s always been with Canada National Team, so it’s been exciting to see the work that she’s put in, and I’m excited for everybody to see it.”

On the “nonnegotiable” in maintaining the Notre Dame standard
“I think just having the right players. I think that’s the biggest thing for coaches. Making sure you have the right fit, players that fit your system, and I feel like I’ve hit that home run, especially with these two up here. Just continuing that tradition, bringing in excellent players that are also great off the court. High-character players.

“Again just having, like you said — this is my alma mater. It means more. So carrying that passion, wanting them to have the same experiences that I’ve had as a student-athlete, that’s the number one drive for me, and just making them better and grow.”

On Notre Dame’s representation in not just the WNBA but also the WNBA Finals
“Yes, definitely pride, and I talked a little bit about the joy that I feel for them, because especially this past class, you know, [Sonia Citron] being a third pick of the draft, watching her development through the course of her four years.

“And Liatu and Maddy Westbeld, I was just so proud of them and proud that they got a chance to experience something that is really unique. It’s hard to be drafted, but also to make a team. Sonia could have been rookie of the year. She had a rookie of the year type season. Just so proud of them.

“Then the playoffs, like you mentioned, we had seven in the playoffs in general and three [Kathryn Westbeld, Jewell Loyd and Jackie Young] in the Finals. You know, being a part of their journey, watching them grow, and not just being elite, but excel and thrive in the league has been a tremendous amount of joy and pride for our alum. We’re still supporting them and just really excited for them and what they’re accomplishing right now.

On who’s she’s rooting for in the WNBA Finals
“It’s a win-win in this scenario. I’m excited for all three.”

On the importance of Notre Dame’s non-conference schedule
“Yes. I think NET rating is huge, especially in Selection Show era. Non-conference is something that I’ve always learned that you have to really challenge yourself to see where you’re at as a team, and it’s going to help you down the road.

“And also, the ACC prepares you for that. There’s so much parity in our league. But scheduling non-conference, scheduling a tough schedule, like you mentioned, on the road only builds your résumé, but also prepares you and shows you what you need as you step into ACC conference play and what you need to work on and where you’re at as a team.”

On Notre Dame’s new “The Bend” uniform
“They looked really good. It’s an honor to our community. They pour into our program and the University of Notre Dame, so it’s kind of our way of recognizing them. We will select pre-select games [to wear them], November 9th, Chicago State. Might be a couple of more appearances, but they looked great on them, and we had an incredible rally. We had over 3,000 or 5,000 fans that came out to support us [at Irish Jam], and so that was really awesome.”

On the coaches in the ACC being so good
“I mean, yeah. I think, like you mentioned, there’s so much parity in this league. The makeup of every team is different now also, so it’s going to be really interesting to see that. Yeah, these coaches are amazing. A lot of them are either former players, have a lot of wisdom, and have had a lot of years and a lot of success within their coaching tenure. It’s been awesome.

“Again, it’s a challenge, but it’s awesome to see all the successful coaches doing great within their programs, and the programs continue growing and thriving in the ACC.”

A one-word for what comes to mind when you hear “ACC basketball”
“Powerful.”

Notre Dame guards Hannah Hidalgo and Cassandre Prosper

On who they’re most excited to play this season
Prosper: “Yeah, I think for me it’s UConn. When we played them I was injured my sophomore year, so I’m really excited to play there and go there. Play UConn at UConn.”

Hidalgo: “Yeah, I didn’t want to copy, but I guess say UConn too. It’s always a great game. You know the rivalry is so big, and it runs so deep. It’s bigger than just us this year. I think UConn is always an exciting game.”

On what Prosper has added to her arsenal after missing so much time last season
Prosper: “I think a lot of consistency with my shot, consistency finishing. I think this year has been a big step up just in terms of being more assertive on the court. As a leader, I have to lead by example on and off the court, and I’ve really stepped into that role. So that’s where I’m at.”

On Ivey’s development of point guards at Notre Dame
Hidalgo: “Yeah, I think the great thing about Coach Ivey is she’s been where I want to go, and she’s done it. She’s won. Just kind of being under her and kind of following her lead is something that is different from a lot of point guards. On top of that, just her ability to connect with us players. More than just basketball, just that connection as a family just makes you want to run through a wall for her and just play so much harder.”

On Hidalgo sharing a social media post that said “walking in what I prayed for” while wearing her Notre Dame uniform
Hidalgo: “Yeah, I think in this position that I’m in, I don’t take it for granted. Every day is just a blessing to be able to wake up and go and play for such a prestigious university. Being at Notre Dame, it’s just something so many people dreamed of being, and I’m able to do it every single day. I’m always grateful.

“Of course, I keep Christ first, so I am just always grateful to not only just play the game of basketball. It’s just a blessing. But just doing it with people that I love is something I’ve prayed for and that I’m just so grateful to be a part of.”

On Notre Dame’s new “The Bend” uniforms
Prosper: “The Bend” uniform is a black uniform saying “The Bend” in gold. I think the main purpose is really to get closer to the South Bend community and really get closer to our fans and just recognize that South Bend has had a great impact on Notre Dame. The first time we’ll be wearing it is November 9th against Chicago State, so watch out for that.”

On the Joyce Center being a big home-court advantage for Notre Dame
Hidalgo: Yeah, the fans, of course. We talk so much about the fans, but they really come and rally around us. And even now, a lot of the students now are coming out to support us. It’s so big how they come. They come with big heads, like big heads of us on the sidelines. One fan has Coach Ivey’s face all over their shirts. The way they come and support us through ups and downs when we’re going, like, if we were in a losing streak, they were still around us, they were coming around saying, ‘We support you, we’re here for you.’

“It just means so much to us. Fans just make all the difference just to encourage us and give us that fire, energy. Especially I know for me, just rallying the fans up after an and-one, after a three, a steal, anything, really helps get us going.”

On the Notre Dame newcomer who is going to surprise people this season
Hidalgo: “I really don’t want to give our secrets.”
MODERATOR: “Player X, why?
Hidalgo: “Player X, this player, I think she’s really going to surprise a lot of people. She really went under the radar in her last program. She’s going to come out, and a lot of people aren’t going to expect her to do what she does, and she’s going to come down the floor and hit her first three, and she’s going to shock everybody. I’m sure y’all know who we’re talking about, but we’re not going to say it to the fans.”
Prosper: “Yeah, I think definitely player X, and I also think —”
MODERATOR: “Just so you know, this is chemistry that you guys know who X is without saying the name.”
Prosper: “Everyone is going to shock the world I think. We’re really, really talented. We’re deep. I’m excited for the season. I’m excited to see it, to feel it, but I already know how great it’s going to be.

A one-word for what comes to mind when you hear “ACC basketball”
Prosper: “Grit.”
Hidalgo: “Talented.”