For four years, forward Maddy Westbeld was the one constant in the Notre Dame women's basketball program, something that all changed in September

The Notre Dame women’s basketball team held its local media day Thursday. Irish fans undoubtedly were anxious to hear updates about injuries to numerous players ahead of the team’s open practice Friday. While the updates were in fact there, not all of them were positive.

Notre Dame is ready to defend its ACC Tournament championship and possibly get into the Final Four for the first time under Niele Ivey. This year’s Irish are more stacked than any team Ivey has had since taking over the program. If they don’t advance to the final weekend of the NCAA Tournament, it will be seen as a real disappointment.

Defending conference champion Notre Dame and Final Four participant NC State are expected to pace the ACC in women's basketball, according to preseason voting released Tuesday. Notre Dame, led by preseason player of the year Hannah Hidalgo,