The offseason is always a time of change in women's college basketball, and this year is no different for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. While superstar guard Hannah Hidalgo announced she's running it back for her senior season, the supporting cast around her will look quite different when the team takes the court in 2025-26.

Hidalgo's return was never in doubt—she's a three-time first-team All-American and the reigning national defensive player of the year. With 2,460 career points, she already sits second on the program's all-time scoring list behind Arike Ogunbowale. She also holds the career steals record with 481. Now she has a chance to cement her legacy as one of the greatest players in Notre Dame history.

But the Irish lost significant firepower this offseason. Cassandre Prosper entered the WNBA draft and was selected 19th overall by the Washington Mystics. Iyana Moore, Vanessa de Jesus, Malaya Cowles, Gisela Sanchez, and Jordyn Smith all exhausted their eligibility. The biggest surprise was KK Bransford, who transferred to UCLA after four seasons in South Bend. Bella Tehrani also departed.

That's a lot of experience walking out the door. But head coach Niele Ivey and her staff were prepared. They reloaded with an elite freshman class and added two promising transfers last month. The result is a roster that blends Hidalgo's star power with fresh talent ready to contribute.

Returning alongside Hidalgo are guards Kelly Ratigan and Luci Jensen, who provided depth off the bench last season. Forward Leah Macy is also back after missing her freshman year due to a knee injury—she's a name to watch as she gets her first taste of college action.

While the Irish undergo a significant transformation, other programs in the region are taking a different approach. Illinois, for example, is returning nearly its entire roster from 2025-26, prioritizing continuity over turnover. Northwestern is also in a retooling phase, though not as dramatic as Notre Dame's.

For the Irish, the formula is simple: build around Hidalgo and let the new pieces find their roles. If the freshmen and transfers can step up quickly, this team has the potential to make another deep NCAA Tournament run—and maybe even cut down the nets in Cleveland.