Podcast Summary: The Athletic All-Access: Notre Dame's Niele Ivey and Hannah Hidalgo

Episode: The Athletic All-Access: Notre Dame's Niele Ivey and Hannah Hidalgo
Release Date: February 23, 2024
Podcast: No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show
Hosts: Sabrina Merchant and Chantelle Jennings
Guests: Niele Ivey (Head Coach, Notre Dame) and Hannah Hidalgo (Freshman Guard, Notre Dame)

1. Introduction to Guests and Hosts

Sabrina Merchant and Chantelle Jennings kick off the episode by introducing their esteemed guests: Niele Ivey, the head coach of Notre Dame's women's basketball team since 2020 and a national champion both as a player and coach, and Hannah Hidalgo, a standout freshman who leads the nation with five steals per game. The hosts express their excitement in welcoming these two pivotal figures in women's basketball to the show.

2. Early Season Highlights: Debut Against South Carolina

The conversation begins with reflections on Hannah Hidalgo's highly anticipated college debut against the top-ranked South Carolina team in Paris. Hannah recounts the experience:

“It was truly an honor and a blessing to be involved in that historic moment... I had so much confidence and so much trust in my teammates and my coaches just going into that game.”
[09:11]

Chantelle Jennings praises Hannah's composure during the game, noting, "Not surprising given how you played in that game, that you were so poised and calm."

3. Coach Ivey’s Strategic Decisions

Coach Niele Ivey discusses the rationale behind starting the season with a formidable opponent:

“I felt like it was just an opportunity that we could not pass up... it was really important for us to be a part of.”
[10:14]

She emphasizes the value of testing the team's capabilities against elite competition early in the season, viewing it as a benchmark for the program's growth.

4. Hannah Hidalgo’s Defensive Prowess

The episode spotlights Hannah Hidalgo's exceptional defensive skills, particularly her ability to accumulate steals without excessive fouling. Sabrina Merchant highlights her impressive statistics:

"Since 2009, only 13 players in all of Division 1 basketball have averaged four or more steals a game with three or fewer fouls a game. Like, you are in elite company..."
[16:35]

Hannah attributes her defensive instincts to rigorous training and a mindset focused on maximizing her strengths:

“I always took pride in my defense... I read the defender's eyes... I make a lot of contact and I feel, you know, where the ball handler is going to go next.”
[22:18]

5. Preparing for College Basketball: Training and Team USA Experience

Hannah shares insights into her preparation for the collegiate level, emphasizing physical training and competitive experiences:

“Just constantly putting hours in the gym and spending a lot of time playing against my brothers... It really helped me prepare for the college game.”
[19:26]

Her participation in Team USA's U19 World Cup provided her with exposure to international play and diverse playing styles, further honing her skills under pressure.

6. Team Dynamics: Collaboration with Olivia Miles

The dynamic between Hannah Hidalgo and fellow point guard Olivia Miles is explored, highlighting a mentorship-like relationship:

“She's very vocal, and she just helps, even though she's not on the court... I just can't wait, like, how it'll be that backcourt when she does get here.”
[16:26]

Hannah appreciates Olivia's leadership and anticipates a formidable backcourt duo as Olivia integrates fully into the team.

7. The Rise of Talented Freshmen in Women's Basketball

The hosts discuss the influx of exceptionally talented freshmen like Hannah Hidalgo, Madison Booker, and others, posing the question:

"Why are the freshmen so good this year? What is different about it this year?"
[17:32]

Coach Ivey attributes this rise to the evolution of the game, with players becoming bigger, stronger, and more skilled:

“Women’s basketball is evolving in a positive way... This freshman class has more than one generational talent.”
[18:14]

This burgeoning talent pool signals a promising future for the sport, with fresh perspectives and heightened competition levels.

8. Defensive Strategies: Balancing Aggression and Control

The episode delves into the balance between aggressive defense and maintaining control to minimize fouls. Hannah describes her natural inclination towards aggressive plays:

“I could work on that a little bit... sometimes I gamble a little too much.”
[22:18]

Coach Ivey appreciates Hannah's defensive mindset but emphasizes the importance of restraint:

“She has that flexibility to be able to do what she does best, and I let her go in that. But I always tell her, I just want you to be you.”
[23:35]

This collaborative approach fosters a defensive strategy that leverages Hannah's strengths while mitigating risks.

9. One Word Scout: Quick Player Impressions

In a fun segment, Hannah and Coach Ivey provide one-word descriptors for various players:

• Hannah on Tanaya Latson: “Score.”
  [27:07]

• Hannah on Raven Johnson: “Leader.”
  [27:13]

• Hannah on Daisha Kelly: “Calm.”
  [27:21]

• Hannah on Olivia Miles: “Different.”
  [27:27]

• Coach Ivey on Former Players: “Good job. Out the hot seat.”
  [27:34]

This segment highlights the players' distinctive qualities and adds a personal touch to the discussion.

10. Conclusion and Closing Remarks

As the episode wraps up, Sabrina Merchant encourages listeners to stay tuned for more in-depth basketball content, including bracket watch and bubble watch on the Athletic's website. The hosts express gratitude to Niele Ivey and Hannah Hidalgo for their time and insightful contributions.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Hannah Hidalgo on Debut Confidence:
  "I was very poised and I was calm."
  [09:38]

• Coach Ivey on Evolution of the Game:
  “Women’s basketball is evolving in a positive way... This freshman class has more than one generational talent.”
  [18:14]

• Hannah Hidalgo on Defensive Mindset:
  “I read the defender's eyes... I make a lot of contact and I feel, you know, where the ball handler is going to go next.”
  [24:26]

• Coach Ivey on Hannah's Flexibility:
  “She has that flexibility to be able to do what she does best, and I let her go in that.”
  [23:35]

Key Takeaways

• Hannah Hidalgo's Impact: As a freshman, Hannah has made a significant mark with her defensive prowess, leading the nation in steals and displaying remarkable composure on the court.

• Strategic Season Start: Coach Ivey's decision to begin the season against a top-ranked team provided valuable insights and set a high standard for the Notre Dame program.

• Evolving Talent Pool: The current influx of talented freshmen signals a bright future for women's basketball, with players bringing enhanced skills and competitive drive.

• Balancing Aggression and Control: Notre Dame's defensive strategy effectively balances Hannah's aggressive plays with the need to minimize fouls, showcasing team adaptability.

• Strong Team Dynamics: The collaborative relationship between players like Hannah Hidalgo and Olivia Miles fosters a supportive and high-performing team environment.

This episode offers a comprehensive look into the dynamics of Notre Dame's women's basketball team, highlighting the strategic insights of Coach Niele Ivey and the standout performance of freshman Hannah Hidalgo. Listeners gain an in-depth understanding of the team's approach, individual player contributions, and the broader trends shaping women's basketball today.