Why Notre Dame women's basketball can't overlook struggling Clemson
This is the quintessential trap game for Notre Dame.
The Fighting Irish haven’t played in exactly one week. Rust could be a factor, and they’re up against one of the worst teams in the ACC three days before they play one of the best. But if they look past Clemson (9-18, 3-13 ACC) in advance of Sunday’s regular season finale against No. 4 Louisville (23-3, 14-2) a certain someone could spoil much of what the Irish have going for them right now.
And that’s a whole lot.
Notre Dame just needs one win to secure a double-bye in the ACC Tournament. Given the two opponents, tonight’s game against Clemson is more likely to result in a Notre Dame victory. The Tigers have a player who could wreck that plan, though. Senior guard Delicia Washington ranks third in the ACC in scoring at 17.0 points per game.
A week and a half ago Washington put 40 on then-No. 11 Georgia Tech. She helped the Tigers take the Yellow Jackets to overtime in a game Clemson had no business coming close to winning on paper. Basketball isn’t played on paper, though, and Washington is darn good at performing where it does take place.
“She has the capability of literally taking over a game at any moment,” Notre Dame head coach Niele Ivey said. “She’s an incredible scorer, and she’s somebody we’re really going to focus on tomorrow.”
Fighting Irish men’s basketball
• Observations: Notre Dame closes out Syracuse for 79-69 victory, records 20th win
Still, Notre Dame can’t afford to succumb to a Washington-led upset. Clemson has three ACC victories, and they have all come against teams either tied with the Tigers in the ACC standings (Wake Forest, twice) or even lower than them in the conference hierarchy (last-place Virginia).
Clemson has nothing to play for but pride. Notre Dame has postseason positioning at stake. And not just related to the conference tourney, either. A loss to Clemson, especially at home, would not look to the NCAA Tournament committee. Per ESPN’s Charlie Creme, the Irish are sitting on the No. 4 seed line. Dropping to a No. 5 seed would prevent the Irish from hosting the first and second rounds of the big dance at Purcell Pavilion in South Bend.
Notre Dame is 12-0 there this season. It’s a place the Irish want to be. To stay there in mid-March, they have to win there in late February. The formula has been written. All that’s left is to fill in the key components, most notably one more W in the correct column.
“If we protect our home court, we’re in a position where we can be in the driver’s seat this year,” Ivey said. “Last year, someone else was controlling our destiny. I’ve talked to them about that and about the magnitude of tonight. I’ve talked to them about the magnitude of finishing strong.”
Clemson (9-18, 3-13 ACC) at No. 14 Notre Dame (20-6, 12-4 ACC)
When: Thursday, Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. ET
Where: Purcell Pavilion (South Bend, Ind.)
TV: ACC Network
NET rankings: Notre Dame 18, Clemson 110
Last meeting: Clemson won 68-63 on March 4, 2021, in the ACC Tournament
Series history: Notre Dame leads 6-3
