Seems now the most dangerous women's basketball teams have

multiple ball handlers who can bring the ball up and execute fast breaks. Add to that bigs being able to provide long outlet passes and running down for fast breaks, breaks down lesser talented teams much more. ND has become very effective in all phases of the game.

Watching all of Notre Dame and Oregon games have shown they have lots in common in how they play. Both have gotten much better after their loss, especially in their D. Both are using their subs more effectively. They both have a few bigs who can spell their excellent starters and change the game a bit. They both have one true guard sub, but your ccmment on Nixon is astute as I think she seems to need the ball in her hand more than the other 3 ND starters which is why she is less effective. The Ducks freshman guard Chavez is playing more in the flow of the game and so there is less drop off on offense. infact she takes a lots of minutes from Boley, because she is better on D and is great with the flow of the game. It seems when Nixon comes in the game changes.

Still the defense is what controls the game and ND's keeps improving there. I think Muffet is starting to manage the players based on their defensive intensity. She also will pull a player if she make two many mistakes on the offense (TOs, bad shots, silly passes). Having the subs to do this and knowing her starters can still perform has really made a difference in how she manages the game.Still it does make the team less reliable which makes us think they don't always play to their potential. Last year we were just hoping those 6 players wouldn't break, especially when they were against tough teams.

It's a long season. Talented teams don't bring it all the time, but hopefully they are ready when the need to be. Did you see what #2 Golden State did to the top team in the West Denver last night. ND will be ready when they need to be.