Preview: USC vs. Notre Dame — What It Will Take for the Trojans to Win on Friday
When USC steps onto the floor this Friday to face Notre Dame, the challenge in front of them is nothing like the Portland test they just passed. Portland was a chance to reset the rhythm — a night where USC found its three-point shot again (36.3%), put four players in double figures, and showed real defensive pride. Notre Dame is a different animal entirely: fast, disruptive, turnover-heavy, and completely powered by the brilliance of Hannah Hidalgo.
Notre Dame comes in averaging 99 points per game prior to the Michigan loss — a number fueled by pace, pressure, and chaos. They take 66 shots per night, fly up and down the floor at a 77-possession pace, and score 44 points per game in transition and runouts. They live off steals (18 per game), they live off turnovers (33.8 points per game off miscues), and they take 23 threes per night to stretch the floor around Hidalgo.
But Michigan showed the blueprint: hold them to one shot, slow the tempo, and most importantly — don’t let Hidalgo live free.
Notre Dame scored just 11 fast-break points, only 26 paint points (well below their 44-point average), and finished with 18 turnovers of their own. They shot 28.3% from the field, and their offense stalled because everything they normally generate in transition never materialized. Without easy runouts, and with their bench providing only two points (they normally average just seven) Notre Dame suddenly became a one-dimensional team.
And that is exactly where USC has an opportunity.
What USC Must Do to Win
1. Control Hannah Hidalgo — mentally and physically
Everything Notre Dame does offensively starts with Hannah. She is their engine, their speed, their chaos creator. If USC can disrupt her rhythm — force her into tough decisions, challenge her at the rim, test her mentally, and make her defend without fouling — the entire team becomes vulnerable.
If USC can get her frustrated, force her into foul trouble on dribble-drives, or make her play hesitantly, it takes away the confidence and edge that fuels their whole transition attack.
2. Take away their transition game
Notre Dame is most dangerous when the game gets fast. Their points come from:
runouts
live-ball turnovers
long rebounds
and chaos in the open floor
USC has to take all that away. A clean offensive game — smart passes, strong rebounding, and good floor balance — forces Notre Dame to actually play half-court basketball. When they have to execute instead of react, they’re beatable. Michigan proved it.
3. Limit their volume from three
They take 23 threes per game and rely heavily on spacing from players like DeJesus. Prosper can stretch the floor at times, but the main perimeter threat behind Hidalgo is DeJesus. USC must rotate sharply and communicate to avoid giving Notre Dame those early-clock rhythm threes that turn into scoring avalanches.
4. Win the rebounding battle
Notre Dame averages:
10 offensive rebounds
21.3 defensive rebounds
Rebounding is how Notre Dame keeps possessions alive when they’re not scoring in transition. USC must finish plays — no second chances, no kick-outs to their shooters, and no loose rebounds turning into runouts.
5. Get Notre Dame in foul trouble
Notre Dame’s bench is averaging just seven points per game. They do not have depth. Their main core is Hidalgo, KK Bransford, Prosper, and DeJesus.
If USC stays aggressive, drives the lane, and forces contact, Notre Dame will be forced to dip into a bench that historically does not produce. That is a major advantage for USC, particularly as the game stretches into the second half.
6. Keep building on what worked against Portland
USC’s last outing mattered:
36.3% from three
four players in double figures
improved defensive communication
better rhythm and shot quality
Those same things — balance, spacing, composure — will matter even more against a pressure-heavy Notre Dame team. If USC plays poised, dictates tempo, and doesn’t hand Notre Dame easy opportunities, the Trojans can put real pressure back on Hidalgo to carry everything again.
Final Thoughts
Notre Dame is fast, disruptive, and fearless — but they are also heavily dependent on one superstar and a very short rotation. USC can absolutely win this game if they dictate pace, stay composed, and make Hidalgo’s life hard for 40 minutes.
If USC forces Notre Dame into a half-court game, keeps turnovers low, and attacks the basket with purpose, they will give themselves every chance to walk out with a statement win. Click below to see full video breakdown!
