BY LOU SOMOGYI
T
he white banner with blue-and-
gold trim that honors Notre
Dame's 2001 national champions
in women's basketball remains
conspicuous inside Notre Dame's Pur-
cell Pavilion rafters.
It stands alone among so many other
blue and gold banners that include
seven Final Four appearances by head
coach Muffet McGraw's program, in-
cluding each of the last five, plus back-
to-back ACC titles in their first two years
in the league to go with the 2013 Big East
championship.
It's a constant reminder to McGraw,
her staff and players that the white ban-
ner needs a complement inside the Joyce
Center basketball arena for decorating
purposes.
Over the last five years, Notre Dame
has established itself as the second-best
women's basketball program in the
land. Connecticut — which has won
nine national titles since 2000, including
the last three, and 10 overall — remains
the empire that must be vanquished
after ending Irish title hopes each of
the past three years, the last two in the
AVOIDING
COMPLACENCY
The Irish aim for their sixth
consecutive Final Four appearance
Thus far, head coach Muffet McGraw has been
impressed with her team's communication and
effort in practice.
PHOTO BY JOE RAYMOND
