| | If Notre Dame hopes to beat No. 1 Connecticut on Saturday, Irish All-American center Ruth Riley has to be on the court as much as possible, says Irish coach Muffet McGraw.
McGraw told an ESPN.com chat audience the key to the game will be to keep Riley out of foul trouble and that may mean a more conservative defensive game plan. McGraw also talked about what her team will look like next year, what her tournament goals are and why her team had crowd noise pumped into practice this week.
If you missed McGraw's Feb. 25 chat, an edited transcript follows:
| |  | | Coach McGraw and the Irish haven't lost since
Dec. 8, winning 19 straight games along the
way. |
IrishLover: The team is playing awesome this year and I can't wait to see you in Philly the first week of April!
What are going to be the keys for a successful trip to UConn this weekend?
Muffet McGraw: I think the key for the games is that we have to take care of the basketball and we have had
problems this season. They are a great pressing team, so limiting our turnovers will be key.
Stephen: Over the years, women's college basketball has been a joy to watch because of the emphasis on
skill, team work, and finesse. I have noticed a trend, recently, toward a strategy of physical
intimidation. Is women's basketball in danger of moving away from the elements that have made it
so much fun to watch?
Muffet McGraw:
Good question.
I agree that the game is still based on skill and team work. I wouldn't go as far as to say intimidation, but I do see a trend toward moving
closer to a more physical game, mentally as well.
I don't think it is a good thing. It is a disturbing trend. Our team is a good role model of good
basketball and we want to keep it that way.
Kevin Donovan: What you've been able to accomplish at Notre Dame is both remarkable and commendable given
the lofty academic standards at ND. Can
you comment on how difficult it is to be a national power in women's basketball when Notre
Dame cannot recruit some of the most talented players that other universities can?
Muffet McGraw:
I think our academic admissions requirements are more stringent that most all of our competition.
But there are plenty of players out there capable of playing for a top 10 program that can make
the grades. I like it this way, we don't have to worry about our kids academically and they have
goals academically.
Patrick: Without tipping the Huskies off, how do you plan on keeping Ruth Riley out of foul trouble and on
the floor during Saturday's game?
Muffet McGraw: I am planning on have her not guard anyone.
But seriously, that is going to be our biggest challenge and she will have to be more conservative
defensively.
Paul: Is Notre Dame's approach to this game any different playing UConn in Hartford as opposed to
Storrs?
Muffet McGraw:
No, because the crowd will be even bigger. We had crowd noise at practice this week to simulate the intense
noise. But we have never lost there so that is a positive.
Paul: Do you anticipate the Irish having the opportunity to host the Big East Conference tournament in
the near future? Do you think your team's important win at Rutgers last weekend will ensure you
open the NCAA tournament at home?
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MCGRAW'S FILE
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McGraw, in her 13th season at Notre Dame, has guided the Irish to a No. 5
ranking in both the ESPN/USA Today coaches' poll and The Associated Press
Top 25 this season. Notre Dame is unbeaten in the Big East (15-0), and is
riding a 20-game unbeaten streak that dates back to Dec. 8, 1999. The Irish
are 16-0 since the New Year rolled in.
Success, however, is nothing new for McGrath. Since taking over the Irish in
May 1987, she has led Notre Dame to six NCAA Tournament appearances,
including the team's first-ever appearance in the Final Four in 1997. That
season, the Irish finished with a 31-7 record, marking the program's first
30-win season in its 22-year history. The following season, McGraw's Irish
upset sixth-ranked and top-seeded Texas Tech. And last season, Notre Dame
finished with the best winning percentage in school history (.839) en route
to a 26-5 record, the school's fourth consecutive NCAA tourney bid and the
program's sixth straight season with at least 20 victories.
McGraw, The Associated Press and Naismith coach-of-the-year finalist in
1999, boasts a 285-112 record (.718 winning percentage) at Notre Dame, and a
373-153 career record (.709 winning percentage), which includes five seasons
at Lehigh. McGraw also was a four-year starter at St. Joseph's, and also has
served as an assistant coach with USA Basketball.
For more information on Notre Dame, check out the school's official website.
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Muffet McGraw:
Yes, I think the win at Rutgers, and our season, solidifies us having a home game in the
tournament. We have a good RPI, have a great record and are playing well at the end of the
year.
Tim Brown: Having graduated from ND in 1988, it has been very exciting watching the program develop in the
last decade. What do you think it will take to push ND into the elite echelon of women's
basketball with the likes of Connecticut and Tennessee?
Muffet McGraw:
I think we are very close. But another appearance in the Final Four and a National Championship
would be the next step. So, our program is moving along to where we want to be. Tennessee and
UConn are consistently in the top ten and that is what we need to do.
DcDown: What do you think about your chances for returning to the Final Four? Are there any teams who
you believe would be a bad match up for you in the NCAA's?
Muffet McGraw:
That is tough.
I think when you get in the tournament it depends a lot in your seeding, who you are playing and a
little luck.
As far as bad matches, I think we are pretty solid defensively so I think we can guard most teams. But I
would love to play a team with a 5-foot-10 center.
Jessica: Could you say a few words about Ruth Riley? Is she a senior this year?
Muffet McGraw:
I would love to.
She is one of the best players in the nation. She has a great work ethic and is in the weight room everyday. She never takes time off
and is a perfectionist. She is always watching film to see how she can improve her game. She
is very humble and is a great role model. She is one of those rare individuals that can do anything
and be good at it. Happily she is just a junior.
JimR: In 1997 student support for the program, even as you made the Final Four, was not spectacular. Has it grown given your consistent success since then?
Muffet McGraw:
I think it has. But I think the community is more involved than the students in most programs and
that is true at ND. But is it growing since that year.
Irish 95: Has the overall play and unbelievable composure of Alicia Ratay been a bit of a surprise
considering she is just a freshman, or is that what you expected when you recruited her?
Muffet McGraw:
We expected that she would make a major impact on our program. But we didn't think it would
happen so quickly. It happened from the very first practice and many times she was the best
player in the gym. We were surprised by her heroics in the Rutgers game and that is something
you don't expect a freshman to do.
Seth: What has been the difference in making both the men's and women's basketball teams so
successful this year when compared to years past?
Muffet McGraw:
I think we have been pretty good every year.
I think there is a renewed excitement about the men's program with Coach Matt Doherty and that is
contagious. They have also had some big wins.
Ndchicago: Your senior guards are Notre Dame's unnoticed weapons. How will you replace the speed and
intensity of Niele Ivey and Danielle Greene next year? Any outstanding recruits?
Muffet McGraw:
Yes, we signed two great guards -- Jeneka Joyce, a 5-9 shooting
guard from Topeka, Kansas (great speed and ball handler) and Le'Tania Severe, a 5-9
point guard from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., (blazing
quickness, great defender) who is very similar to Danielle Green.
By the way, Niele Ivey will get a fifth year so we will
only lose Green.
Matt: Can I take you to lunch today?:)
Muffet McGraw:
Yes, definitely. (That's my hubby)
Jessica: Do you think that your team deserves a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tourney?
Muffet McGraw:
I think it depends on what happens in the next week (last games and Big East Tournament). We have never even had a home court
tournament game so I am not really concerned about a No. 1 seed.
That is all the time I have for now.
I think we have gotten a lot of attention both here and off campus and we are grateful to our fans.
We have had tremendous support the whole season and I hope it continues throughout the
tournament.
Thanks for all the questions today and maybe we'll do this again soon. Take care everyone.
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ALSO SEE
Women's Hoops Spotlight chat archive
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