SOUTH BEND | Notre Dame guard Lindsay Schrader believes tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee three years ago might have been the luckiest break in her basketball career.
If not for that injury, she wouldn't be back for a fifth season with the fourth-ranked Fighting Irish, who have never been ranked this high heading into a season -- not even in their national championship season of 2000-01.
"If it wasn't for me tearing my ACL, I wouldn't have had an opportunity like this," Schrader said. "I don't think I've been this excited for a season. This team brings atmosphere and an attitude that I can't wait for everyone else to see."
The Irish return everyone from last season's squad that went 22-9 but lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament. They also added one of the nation's top high school recruits, guard Skylar Diggins, whom coach Muffet McGraw describes as the most talented player to ever sign with the Irish.
Schrader leaves no doubt about what she wants to accomplish in her fifth season: at least a Final Four appearance and definitely a victory over top-ranked Connecticut. A national championship would be nice, too.
"I want to go out with a bang," Schrader said. "I want to finish my career saying I beat Connecticut."
The Irish are 4-22 all-time against UConn and haven't beaten the Huskies since 2005, the season before Schrader joined the Irish. The Irish believe they can beat UConn after giving the Huskies one of their toughest games last season and they'll get their first chance Jan. 16 after Big East play begins in earnest.
"Most other people say, 'Oh, great, we have Connecticut,"' Schrader said. "I say, 'Bring it on."'
The Irish plan to bring a potent offensive attack and a pressing defense to opponents this season. The Irish return four players who averaged in double figures in scoring last season in Schrader (12.6 ppg), guard Ashley Barlow (12.7), Wheeler grad and forward Becca Bruszewski (10.7), and guard Melissa Lechlitner (10.6).
Diggins also is expected to add some offense, as are guards Natalie Novosel and Brittany Mallory.
One of the biggest questions facing the Irish is whether they will be strong enough in the post to play with elite teams. McGraw is hoping Erica Solomon, a 6-2 sophomore who scored 6 points a game last season averaging 16.5 minutes, can be at least part of the answer.
"If she is our most improved player, I think we would have had a great season," McGraw said.
Another challenge with 14 players will be finding the right combination at the right time.
"It's going to be a challenge, McGraw said.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL | NOTRE DAME PREVIEW
Associated Press Women's Preseason Top 10 teams
The top 1o teams in the The Associated Press' preseason 2009-10 women's college basketball poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, final 2008-09 records, total points based on 25 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote and last year's final ranking:
Record Pts Fin
1. Connecticut (40) 39-0 1,000 1
2. Stanford 33-5 951 2
3. Ohio St. 29-6 862 10
4. Notre Dame 22-9 799 23
5. North Carolina 28-7 798 11
6. Duke 27-6 772 6
7. Baylor 29-6 744 5
8. Tennessee 22-11 676 18
9. LSU 19-11 600 --
10. Michigan St. 22-11 521 --
