Robert Franklin/Associated Press
The ball was inbounded to Notre Dame guard Arike Ogunbowale. “Four, three, two,” came the shouts, counting down the expiring clock. Ogunbowale put up the shot … and … it was an air ball.
No matter. This happened last month, during a practice at the Joyce Center in South Bend, Ind., on the day before the Fighting Irish women’s team played its regular-season finale. Notre Dame won that game, as it has won all but three games this year. It needs to win only two more to claim its second straight national championship: the first could come in the national semifinals Friday night, when Notre Dame (34-3) faces Connecticut (35-2).