BY LOU SOMOGYI
W
hen Connecticut defeated the
Irish 76-58 on Dec. 6, it snapped
Notre Dame's 60-game regular-
season and 34-game home win-
ning streaks — both of which led the
nation.
It also evoked memories of where
Notre Dame was two years ago when it
lost to defending national champ Baylor
at home before embarking on the streaks
that were ended by the Huskies.
Back then, Notre Dame featured a
megastar in senior guard Skylar Diggins,
a freshman superstar in waiting in guard
Jewell Loyd and complementary pieces
trying to find their niche.
The situation is similar today. Dur-
ing No. 5 Notre Dame's 10-1 start be-
fore heading into final exams Dec. 15,
Loyd was the new megastar and pos-
sible front-runner for National Player
of the Year honors, 6-3 freshman post
player Brianna Turner was the superstar
in waiting (projected to return for ACC
action after dislocating her shoulder dur-
ing a 92-72 win over No. 15 Maryland on
Dec. 3) and the complementary pieces
were attempting to settle into their roles.
Pearls Beyond
a Jewell
Irish try to find consistent
balance in lineup
Senior guard Madison Cable, who compiled 20
points and 11 rebounds in a 94-93 overtime victory
at DePaul on Dec. 10, has provided a huge boost
on both ends of the floor with her energy, hustle
and skills.
PHOTO BY JOE RAYMOND
