WATCH: Todd-Williams, Ole Miss will put SEC toughness to ultimate test against Notre Dame

Ben Garrettby:Ben Garrett•03/24/24•

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Kennedy Todd-Williams was an All-ACC guard at North Carolina. 

So, she already had stripes when Todd-Williams, who was ranked as ESPN’s No. 5 transfer, committed to Ole Miss six days after jumping into the portal last off-season. 

But the SEC was a step up — mostly in physicality — even for a player already as decorated as Todd-Williams.

“The physicality was super different,” Todd-Williams said Sunday. “I think it’s kind of helped me prepare, especially playing against an ACC team.”

Ole Miss is the 7-seed in Albany Region 1 of the NCAA Tournament. 

The Rebels toppled 10-seed Marquette in the opening round. Next up is No. 2 Notre Dame on the Fighting Irish’s home floor in South Bend, Indiana.

The teams are meeting for the first time in history.

“It’s really just about the tougher team,” Todd-Williams said. “I’m excited to play an ACC team I’m familiar with. Just be a dog out there.”

Notre Dame (27-6) is riding a nine-game winning streak. 

Ole Miss (24-8) has won 12 of its last 15. Tipoff Monday is at 1 p.m. CT on ESPN. The Rebels are making their 20th all-time NCAA Tournament appearance.

Notre Dame is led by first-team All-American Hannah Hidalgo. Junior Sonia Citron scored 29 points in the Irish’s 81-67 first-round win over 15-seed Kent State.

“For us, it’s just about sticking to our principles,” Todd-Williams said, echoing her head coach, Yolett McPhee-McCuin. “We know they’re hard to guard, especially those two, but just being ready (and) staying in front of them.

“We know they’re going to have a crowd. It’s about staying to who we are and just not letting the environment affect us.”

Here’s everything Todd-Williams, McPhee-McCuin and Ayanna Thompson had to say in their NCAA Tournament press conference.

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