Anthony Anderson
| Tribune Correspondent
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
WHO: Miami (11-4, 1-3 ACC) vs. No. 18/19 Notre Dame (11-3, 2-2).
WHEN: Sunday, noon.
WHERE: Purcell Pavilion (9,149), Notre Dame.
TICKETS: Available.
WATCH: The CW (192 on Comcast).
LISTEN: WQLQ (99.9 FM).
Noie column: A good day for Sonia Citron, but not so good a day for Notre Dame women’s basketball
ABOUT MIAMI: Pertinent to the outcome or not, the Hurricanes arrive from South Florida yet again in conjunction with particularly cold temperatures. The high was a pleasant 34 when they were last here two years ago. However, when they were here on Jan. 19, 2020, it was the lowest high (16 degrees) of an unusually mild winter; when they were here on Jan. 4, 2018, the high was 14; when they were here on Feb. 14, 2016, the high was 14, the lowest high that month; and when they were here on Jan. 23, 2014, the high was 13, the third-lowest high that month. Sunday is forecasted to be colder than any of those last five trips, all Miami losses. … The Canes are paced by Jasmyne Roberts, their lone double-digit scorer at 11.3 points per game. Duke transfer and fellow junior guard Shayeann Day Wilson is next at 9.6 points to go with 3.8 assists, while six others each average 6.3 to 8.0 points. … Miami’s top win is 74-68 at then-No. 21 Mississippi State (now 14-4) six weeks ago, and the Canes lost just 77-72 to now-No. 15 Louisville (14-2) two weeks ago, but they’re also just 1-3 away from home overall. They have two previous opponents in common with Notre Dame, whipping NJIT 87-43 (ND won 104-57) and falling 70-64 at Boston College (the Irish crushed the visiting Eagles 98-48 on Thursday). … Miami’s limiting the opposition to a net EFG of 43.1%, while its offense is at 51.5. The Canes average 13.1 more points, 4.9 more rebounds and 2.9 fewer turnovers than their opponents.
ABOUT NOTRE DAME: The Irish look to build upon their most lopsided league win in nearly five years following the 98-48 dismantling of BC. … Seven-time ACC Rookie of the Week Hannah Hidalgo made a nice start toward an eighth such honor with 27 points, 10 rebounds and four steals against the Eagles with 9-of-15 from the field and 8-of-11 at the line. She’s at 24.1 points per game (third in the nation), 6.9 boards, 5.8 assists and 5.6 steals (best in the nation). … Back from a knee sprain, Sonia Citron’s averaging 18.0 points across the five games she’s played, including ND’s last two. Maddy Westbeld’s adding 14.7 points and 9.8 rebounds per game; Anna DeWolfe 10.2 points and 3.5 assists; KK Bransford 8.9 points; Nat Marshall 7.9 points; and Kylee Watson 7.1 points and 1.2 blocks. … All-American guard Olivia Miles (knee) has remained out all season and leading reserve Cass Prosper (lower leg) the last eight games. No updates were provided on either after Thursday’s win. … The Irish are limiting opponents to a net EFG of 41.2%, contrasted to the offense coming in at 52.7. ND’s also at 26.8 more points per game, 11.7 more rebounds and 5.0 fewer turnovers than opponents. … The Irish escaped with a 66-63 win last season at Miami to go up 24-6 in the all-time series. ND’s won six straight at home against the Canes stretching back to a February 2004 victory when both clubs were still in the Big East.
QUOTING: “Miami’s another scrappy, tough team. They play like 10 people, really athletic. It’s definitely what we kind of prepared for for Boston College.” — Niele Ivey, Notre Dame coach.
— By Anthony Anderson
