Women’s College Hoops: USC at Notre Dame

USC at Notre Dame brings one of the best early-season matchups in women’s college basketball, and the market has spoken—money has shown up on the Trojans, tightening the line to Notre Dame -1. The movement makes sense: USC has looked like the better team through the opening stretch, and their defensive ceiling is already elite.

For Notre Dame, everything begins with Hannah Hidalgo, the 5'6" national player of the year candidate who does absolutely everything. She’s averaging 28.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 6.5 steals, and she forces tempo every trip. The formula to beat ND is simple to describe, difficult to execute: slow down Hidalgo and make the rest of the roster score. Michigan provided the blueprint last week.

Notre Dame’s advantage is in the frontcourt with Cassandre Prosper, who brings physicality in USC’s most vulnerable zone. But USC’s wings are the difference. Jazzy Davidson and Kennedy Smith are must-see TV—elite length, elite disruptiveness, and elite defensive instincts. They will frustrate opponents all season and will be even more terrifying next year when JuJu Watkins rejoins them.

USC also brings veteran shooting in Kara Dunn and Londynn Jones, taking pressure off Davidson and Smith and giving the Trojans a more balanced attack. USC is the more talented team today and possesses the defensive athleticism to bother Hidalgo more than most.

If Notre Dame can slow the pace and force a frontcourt battle, this stays tight. If not, USC’s length and athleticism takes over.

Pick:
USC 74
Notre Dame 67