The Notre Dame women’s basketball team’s recent setback, losing two overtime games to NC State, had a significant impact on their ranking in the AP Top 25 Poll, though their overall season performance and historic success still paint a strong picture. To understand the full impact of this loss, we need to dive deeper into the game’s details, its aftermath in terms of rankings, and the context of the women’s basketball landscape at the time.
The NC State Loss
In a thrilling double-overtime game on February 23, 2025, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish women’s basketball team lost to the NC State Wolfpack. The game ended with a final score of 104-95, and the intense action in those extra periods showed just how close the two teams were in terms of skill and determination. For Notre Dame, the loss was not just a setback in their season, but it ended their impressive 19-game winning streak, which had been the longest in the country at that time.
The loss itself was particularly painful because it came against a ranked opponent in NC State, which had been having a strong season and had recently been gaining momentum. The game saw high-scoring performances from both teams, with multiple players showcasing their skills in clutch moments. While the loss was hard to swallow, it was a testament to the competitive nature of the matchup, and both teams fought valiantly to the very end.
From a strategic standpoint, the loss raised questions about Notre Dame’s defensive capabilities, particularly in high-pressure situations such as overtime. NC State’s ability to capitalize on Notre Dame’s defensive lapses allowed them to claim victory, despite the Irish’s impressive offensive output. This game marked a turning point not just for Notre Dame’s season but also in the narrative surrounding the top-ranked teams in women’s basketball.
The Polling Impact
Before the loss, Notre Dame had been sitting at No. 1 in the Associated Press (AP) women’s basketball poll. Their rise to the top of the rankings had been hard-earned, with wins over other powerhouse programs like Texas, USC, and UConn, along with their consistent dominance in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). However, a defeat in a high-profile game against a ranked opponent had consequences.
After the double-overtime loss, the Fighting Irish saw their ranking drop by two spots, moving from No. 1 to No. 3. This fall in the polls was a direct result of their defeat, but also a reflection of the shifting dynamics in women’s college basketball. While the loss was a blow, the two-spot drop could have been seen as relatively modest considering the high stakes of the game and the competitive nature of the sport.
Texas, who had been consistently hovering around the top spots, was able to capitalize on Notre Dame’s slip, vaulting to No. 1 for the first time since 2004. This marked a historic moment for Texas, signaling a new chapter for their program. UCLA also saw a jump, rising to No. 2 in the poll, further intensifying the competition for the top spot in the coming weeks leading up to the NCAA Tournament. Texas’ rise to No. 1 was significant, as it underscored the parity in women’s college basketball this season and how fluid rankings could be with the right combination of performances and results.
NC State’s Rise in the Rankings
As a direct result of their victory over Notre Dame, NC State’s stock rose considerably. The Wolfpack climbed from No. 13 to No. 9 in the AP Poll, showing the impact of a major win on the national stage. This win helped solidify NC State’s place among the top contenders for the NCAA Tournament, positioning them as a team that could potentially host the first two rounds of the tournament if they maintain their high ranking.
For NC State, this win also provided a strong case for why they deserved to be included in the conversation of top-tier teams, particularly with a potential high seed on the horizon. A deep run in the tournament seemed more plausible, and the victory against Notre Dame showcased their potential to challenge any team in the nation.
Context of the Loss: The Bigger Picture
Although the loss to NC State was a tough one, it was by no means catastrophic for Notre Dame. The team’s overall record of 24-3 still placed them in a strong position for postseason play. Their performance throughout the season, including dominating wins over ranked teams, kept them firmly in the conversation as one of the best teams in women’s basketball. Furthermore, their ACC performance, with a 15-1 conference record, still demonstrated their strength within their league.
This loss also came in the context of a broader trend in women’s college basketball, where rankings could change rapidly due to the parity of talent. Every game in the final weeks of the regular season had added significance as teams jockeyed for position in both the national rankings and the NCAA Tournament seeding.
For Notre Dame, their path to the tournament remained clear, despite the loss. The Irish had established themselves as a high-caliber team over the course of the season. Their next steps would be focused on bouncing back from this loss and preparing for the postseason, where the stakes would only get higher. If they can recalibrate and recover from the emotional and mental toll of such a hard-fought game, they could still be one of the favorites to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
What’s Next for Notre Dame?
As the team looks ahead, their remaining regular-season games and performance in the ACC Tournament would play a crucial role in determining their final seed in the NCAA Tournament. The coaching staff would be focusing on improving areas that were exposed during the loss to NC State, particularly in terms of closing out games in high-pressure situations. However, with key players like Olivia Miles and Maddy Westbeld leading the charge, Notre Dame still has the talent to make another run at a national championship.
Moreover, the two-spot drop in the AP Poll is unlikely to impact the team’s overall outlook for the postseason. Notre Dame’s focus would be squarely on their performance in the tournament and continuing to develop their game for a deep tournament run. As always, the team’s goals remained ambitious: to compete for a national title and prove that they are still one of the best programs in the nation, regardless of their poll ranking.
The State of Women’s College Basketball
The season has been one of the most competitive in recent memory for women’s college basketball, with multiple teams vying for the top spots. As of now, teams like Texas, UCLA, and now NC State have all positioned themselves as legitimate contenders. However, with teams like Stanford, South Carolina, and others in the mix, the final stretch of the season promises to be an exciting lead-up to the NCAA Tournament.
The competitive nature of the current season reflects the growing talent pool and the increasing parity within the sport. Teams that were once considered underdogs or “on the cusp” of greatness are now breaking through, showing that any program, including NC State’s rise to No. 9 and Notre Dame’s fall, can be part of the shifting landscape.
In the aftermath of Notre Dame’s double-overtime loss to NC State, the team experienced a drop in the rankings, but their position as a top contender for the NCAA Tournament remained intact. The shift in the AP Poll – a drop from No. 1 to No. 3 – was reflective of the ever-evolving nature of college basketball rankings and the intense competition at the top. Texas’s ascent to No. 1 and NC State’s rise to No. 9 were direct consequences of Notre Dame’s loss, signaling the changing tides in women’s college basketball.
However, it’s important to recognize that this defeat, though painful, did not derail Notre Dame’s overall goals. The team’s remarkable season and the talent they possess put them in a prime position to challenge for a national title, and their path forward will be defined by how they respond to this loss and perform in the postseason. The road to the NCAA Tournament will be filled with tough competition, but Notre Dame, despite the drop in rankings, remains a powerhouse in women’s college basketball, with their eyes set firmly on the prize.
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