At the season’s outset, almost everybody questioned how Hannah Hidalgo, a sophomore guard, and Olivia Miles, returning from an ACL injury, would mesh on the court. But as the pair demonstrated exceptional synergy, all these concerns quickly dissipated. Just a couple of months ago, the duo led Notre Dame to a 79-68 victory against the then-No… 2 UConn. While Hidalgo had a double-double of 29 points and 10 rebounds, Miles contributed 16 points despite overcoming an early ankle injury. Amazed by their performance, even the opposing coach didn’t hesitate to offer praise. “I don’t know if there’s a better combination of guards than those two with how many different things they can hurt you with.” However, for the Fighting Irish, the golden days are now over, and the reason is “the best combination of guards”!
This shift came after guard Miles told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Monday that she would forgo the WNBA draft to enter the transfer portal. “It just changes every day. I love college. I think I’ve outgrown it a little bit, though, so that makes my decision tougher to stay. It’s comfortable, a place where you have security,” the projected No. 2 pick shared after Notre Dame’s Sweet 16 loss on Saturday.
No doubt, many players return to their school for their final year of eligibility, but it’s not common for an athlete to come back and enter the portal. So, why did she do that? Well, ESPN’s analysts have an answer for that!
“I think at the end of the season, we saw that it (the chemistry between Hidalgo and Miles) wasn’t quite the same. Something was amiss with their on-court chemistry. So maybe that went into Miles’ decision to say,” shared the analyst Charlie Creme.
Honestly, he has a point. Throughout the season, Miles and her teammates Hidalgo and Sonia Citron were, if not the best, one of the best backcourts in college basketball. They even led the Fighting Irish to the No. 1 spot in the AP Poll for the first time since 2019 after handling UCLA its first loss of the season.
Their impact didn’t go unnoticed. Analysts crowned Notre Dame “Point Guard U,” with The Athletic putting it in the best manner possible, saying, “Together, they are college basketball’s best example of 1+1=3.” For Hidalgo, the label made perfect sense. “It’s dangerous,” she said on the Got Next podcast. “I don’t think any other program has this—two point guards, two absolute dogs on the same team.”
NCAA, College League, USA Womens Basketball 2024: Eastern Michigan vs Notre Dame DEC 15 December 15, 2024: Notre Dame guard Olivia Miles 5 heads to the locker at the half after she made buzzer beating three point basket during NCAA Women s Basketball game action between the Eastern Michigan Eagles and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center in South Bend, Indiana. John Mersits/CSM. Credit Image: Â John Mersits/Cal Media EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx ZUMA-20241215_zma_c04_178.jpg JohnxMersitsx csmphotothree333482
In case you still have some doubt, Miles’ average of 5.8 assists was the best in the ACC, and her 16.2 points per game ranked ninth. Hidalgo, on the other hand, led the team with 24.2 points and 3.7 steals per game, both placing her fourth nationally. And in an upset over No. 3 USC, Miles dropped 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists, while Hidalgo added 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists. Dangerous enough now?
But. There’s always a but.
Even though she still had one more year of eligibility due to her injury, the thought of joining the WNBA soon after the loss to TCU seemed daunting. She acknowledged the opportunity to be a lottery pick, but ultimately decided that it was time for a new challenge elsewhere. And maybe that’s all it is. Who can blame Miles for wanting that glory before her collegiate career ends? To be honest, while she returned with full force, her team did not offer much beyond Hidalgo’s skills. So, for someone chasing a championship, a powerful backcourt isn’t enough.
Despite their individual success, Notre Dame’s offensive inconsistency, especially in high-stakes moments, seemed to signal that Miles’ time at the university was nearing its end. As the analyst put it, “if I can go and be the singular point guard in another program, maybe that’s even better for me for my continued development.”
In the Sweet 16 loss to TCU, Notre Dame struggled offensively, shooting a mere 32% from the field. When it mattered the most, Hidalgo was limited to 15 points, shooting 3 of 19, whereas Miles added only 10 points. But that development is something Miles has been focused on. With a career-high average of 15.4 points on 48.3% shooting this season, she showed significant improvement, especially in her three-point shooting, which increased dramatically from 22.8% last season to 40.6% this season. After her final home game at Notre Dame, a Round of 32 win, Miles thanked fans for their support, signaling that her college career could be coming to an end.
Also, while rumors of a feud between Miles and the team are rampant, it doesn’t seem so likely. After all, Ivey was waxing lyrical with praises when asked about Miles’ decision. “They’re very caring, nurturing, they understand at some point it’s bigger than basketball. They love each other, they love this group, they love this university,” she said, in an emotional address. “And I wouldn’t want to coach anyone else that didn’t recognize the beauty that is Notre Dame.
How could TCU be a perfect fit for Olivia Miles?
While Miles is looking for a program that can offer her a chance to shine as the primary point guard, TCU is a team in need of a playmaker to elevate their already impressive roster. The Horned Frogs have quietly undergone a miraculous transformation under head coach Mark Campbell, posting a 53-15 record over the past two seasons after struggling in previous years. The team’s incredible turnaround was largely due to Campbell’s use of the transfer portal, a strategy he’s continued to embrace.
Campbell himself has been outspoken about the importance of the transfer portal, saying, “It really is. Part of it was necessity. Like when we took over the 1-17 team, the portal allows you to get old really quickly. It allows you to get talent really quickly, but a lot of people try it and it doesn’t work.”
In TCU’s case, it has worked—especially with players like Hailey Van Lith and Sedona Prince, who have been key contributors to the team’s success. “We did six portal kids last year, six this year, and we’ve signed 12 portal kids to go from 1-17 to an Elite Eight team,” Campbell said, highlighting the efficiency of his transfer-focused strategy.
TCU’s success has not been without its flaws, however. Despite posting a 34-4 record, which included both the Big 12 regular season and tournament championships, the Horned Frogs still faced challenges with offensive consistency.
In their Elite Eight loss to Texas, TCU shot just 26.7% from the field and committed a season-high 21 turnovers. Integrating a player like Miles, with her playmaking ability and scoring efficiency, could significantly bolster TCU’s backcourt, providing the Horned Frogs with the kind of dynamic point guard they need to take their game to the next level.
Miles’ leadership and experience could be exactly what TCU needs as they look to build on their success and continue their pursuit of a national championship. With a coach like Campbell, who has proven his ability to maximize the talent he brings in through the transfer portal, adding Miles could complete the puzzle for TCU.
Whether she’s playing with the Horned Frogs next season or somewhere else, one thing is clear—Olivia Miles’ next chapter is sure to be just as impactful as her time at Notre Dame.
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