Heading into February ranked No. 1, Notre Dame had built an impressive résumé with statement wins over top teams like USC, Texas, and UConn. With talent, momentum, and a clear path ahead, the Fighting Irish looked like a powerhouse poised for a deep tournament run.

But when the brackets were revealed on March 16, they were handed a No. 3 seed in the Birmingham 3 region—despite their dominant 16-2 ACC record and multiple victories over ranked opponents. It seemed their résumé wasn’t enough to earn a higher spot, leaving only one way to prove themselves: through their performance in the NCAA Tournament. And they made an immediate statement, demolishing No. 12 seed Stephen F. Austin in a commanding 106-54 victory.

However, not everything went according to plan. Their standout performer went down with an injury, casting a shadow over the team’s hopes of surging to the next level. The uncertainty loomed– that was until now.

Olivia Miles’ injury: a game-changer?

Well, it all began early in the fourth quarter. Notre Dame’s star guard Olivia Miles went down, clutching her right ankle. For a moment, the air in the arena seemed to freeze. She has been the heart of this Fighting Irish squad, right alongside Hanna Hidalgo, making for a strong backcourt. Now as she limped off the court and headed straight to the locker room, concerns grew. At the time, Notre Dame was comfortably ahead, leading 82-43. But the real question wasn’t about that game—it was about what this meant for their tournament future.

Her history with the injuries speaks for the concerns. She had already missed the entire 2023-24 season due to an ACL tear, making this her long-awaited comeback season. However, head coach Niele Ivey reassured fans in the post-game press conference that Miles had only suffered an ankle injury after stepping on someone’s foot. “She’s going to be OK,” Ivey stated, offering a sigh of relief to Notre Dame faithful.

Her teammates certainly believe she’ll be back. Forward Maddy Westbeld put it bluntly: “If it’s not serious, you know she’s going to play. She’s an incredibly tough player.”

Well, that’s something every Irish fan wanted to hear. Miles has been one of the most dynamic players in college basketball this season. She’s the only player in the country with three triple-doubles and is averaging 16.2 points, 5.7 assists, and 5.9 rebounds per game. Her ability to run the offense, control the tempo, and set up teammates makes her invaluable.

And she’s only getting better. Historically, the knock on Miles’ game was her jump shot. Before this season, she had never shot better than 27% from beyond the arc. But this year? She’s hitting a crisp 40% from three-point range on 5.5 attempts per game. Not only is she making shots—she’s shooting them with confidence.

Miles is also widely projected to be a top-3 pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft. Our Meghan Hall has her going No. 3 to the Washington Mystics, but there’s even a chance she goes No. 2 to Seattle. One thing’s for sure: she won’t be waiting long to hear her name called.

Can Notre Dame survive without Miles?

Before the WNBA comes calling, though, Miles has unfinished business. Notre Dame’s next opponent is No. 6 seed Michigan, a team that should not be underestimated.

The Wolverines showed incredible grit in their first-round matchup against Iowa State, rallying from behind to pull off an 80-75 win. Jordan Hobbs led the charge with 28 points, while Olivia Olson added 16, including some clutch plays down the stretch.

Notre Dame, despite their impressive 27-5 record and ACC regular-season title, hasn’t been flawless. Before the tournament, they lost three of their last five games. Michigan, on the other hand, is riding a wave of momentum.

The Fighting Irish enter the matchup as favorites, thanks to their depth and experience. But if Miles isn’t at full strength—or worse, if she’s unable to play—the game could become a lot more complicated. What do you think—can the Fighting Irish pull through, or will Michigan capitalize on their opportunity?