Duffy and LaVere may be freshmen by name, but their play is anything but
By KATIE McVOY
Senior Staff Writer
When she heads home to Dayton Sunday, it's an older Megan Duffy that will greet her family. In fact, it seems that, despite the fact that First Year of Studies is still next to her name in the campus phone book, Megan Duffy has left her freshman status behind.
In the last two games, games that are big enough to make a seasoned veteran nervous, Notre Dame's Duffy and classmate Courtney LaVere have played like anything but freshman. In fact, it seems that Irish coach Muffet McGraw has added two more seniors to her team.
"They don't play like freshman," McGraw said Tuesday. "… Those two freshman really play like seniors."
Going home going strong
Duffy will head home on Sunday, hoping to add one more win to her 4-0 record at UD Arena. And she will go home playing what is arguably her best basketball all season.
"Megan has had a great tournament," McGraw said.
Duffy has stepped up for the Irish this March. Against Kansas State, the freshman point guard scored 10 points, four of witch came when it really mattered.
In the final 60 seconds of a very close match-up, Duffy stepped to the charity stripe four times. She sent the ball straight home all four times.
"I feel really good about her being on the line," McGraw said. "She's not someone who really allows pressure to get her."
Playing well in pressure situations isn't new to Duffy. This season she has found some success playing when the heat is on. For that reason, McGraw isn't that surprised that she has been able to step up this tournament and find success amidst the oppositions' screaming fans and with the eyes of the nation upon them.
"She has played well all year long in pressure situations. She's had a lot of success already," McGraw said. "She's a very confident person."
What's more, Duffy has begun to step up to the kind of leadership position that is required from a guard. The freshman, who needed some time to adjust to Notre Dame's triangle offense, has started to be vocal on the floor.
"I think Megan's got leadership potential," McGraw said. "She is somebody that never hangs her head after a mistake."
And Duffy is confident with that role.
"I think during the season, we had a stretch where we needed leadership and I'm just going in with the attitude that whatever this team needs, I'll do it," Duffy said. "I guess whether they like it or not, it's kind of something that I think it's my role as appoint guard and something that I need to do."
Coming up big when it matters
For LaVere, hitting the big shots when it matters isn't so new.
"[LaVere] has stepped up in every big game that we have had this year," McGraw said. "She has had a big game and had double-doubles in about every big game."
The freshman post player made her first start as the new year turned, as the Irish struggled through that month, — becoming the light in the darkness.
"I think that when we were struggling, someone had to step up and I was confident enough to know I could help the team win the games," LaVere said.
LaVere, who started the season as a bench player, joined the starting line-up, and then found herself back on the bench, has played several roles for the Irish. Although she started against Kansas State because Katy Flecky was injured, she provides an excellent spark from the bench.
Offensively, LaVere makes shots when she needs to.
"If we're struggling offensively, I feel like I can score," she said. "So I want the ball and I'll call for it."
What's even more important for the Irish, she has been consistent. In the early season, Notre Dame had trouble finding a consistent scorer until LaVere stepped up. Despite a few games LaVere struggled through due to illness, she has been someone the Irish can rely on.
"She's always been there and has been our most consistent player," McGraw said.
LaVere credits her success on Notre Dame's team as a combination of the triangle offense and the recent success of the whole Notre Dame team.
"On offense our first look is in the post, that helps," LaVere said. "I just think that our team is doing pretty well and making the right shots."
By the time the tournament rolled around, LaVere, who needed some time to adjust, was really feeling like she knew where she belonged.
"I'm settling in, but it took me awhile to get used to it," she said.
Finding some seniority
The two freshman have made their presence known, and not for freshman mistakes. LaVere and Duffy have come up big for the Irish in big upsets. Really, they're not even freshman anymore.
"When you look at those two, they are not really freshman anymore," McGraw said. "Once you get to the NCAA tournament, I think you have to think of them as sophomores."
But Duffy and LaVere are just having a good time. And they both feel like they're building a relationship that won't just end with the tournament.
"We get along so well," LaVere said. "I think we really balance each other well. We have a really good relationship on and off the court which will carry us the next four years."
But in three years, they'll actually be seniors, not just playing like them.
All Sports Stories for Friday, March 28, 2003
