March 29, 2025, was a bad night for Notre Dame. Then it got worse. The scoreboard read 71-62. The Sweet 16 dream ended at the hands of a gritty, surging TCU team. Before the echoes of defeat faded in the Irish locker room, Olivia Miles—one of their brightest stars—packed her bags. She’s headed straight for the team that knocked her out.

Welcome to the new era of college hoops: Transfers are fast, bold, and a little bit personal.

Just 24 hours after TCU fell short in the Elite Eight, the Horned Frogs made their first big portal splash by obtaining Kentucky’s 6-foot-7 Portuguese center and an SEC Freshman of the Week, Clara Silva. Now, they’ve added Olivia Miles—a seasoned veteran and one of the most high-profile names in the transfer portal.

Miles’ decision to transfer to TCU isn’t just about chasing a winner, it’s more than that. It is about fit and opportunity. After missing the 2023-24 season with a torn ACL and returning to share the spotlight with Hannah Hidalgo, Miles averaged a career-high 15.4 points, 5.8 assists, and 5.6 rebounds in 2024-25, cementing her status as a three-time All-American. Yet, Notre Dame’s Sweet 16 exit—her third in four years—highlighted a ceiling she couldn’t break through in South Bend.

TCU, under coach Mark Campbell, offers a fresh start.

According to national scout Ejay Arrow on X: “BREAKING: Sources tell me Olivia Miles & Kylee Watson are set to commit to TCU.”

It’s not hard to see why. TCU isn’t just recruiting—they’re building a contender. The school dropped nearly $8 million into women’s basketball in 2022-23, second only to Baylor in the Big 12. That’s a program putting its money where its mouth is.

Beyond that investment—dwarfed only by Baylor’s $9.1 million—TCU has doubled down on facilities and NIL opportunities. A $15 million practice facility upgrade, and the collective has reportedly secured seven-figure NIL deals for top transfers. Miles, with her On3 NIL valuation previously tied to deals with Playa Society and the Humane Society, could see her earnings soar in Fort Worth, where the program’s upward trajectory mirrors her own ambitions. The thought of her joining TCU is less of a plot twist and more of a power play.

But while Miles walks, Hannah Hidalgo is staying put—and saying it loud. The freshman phenom—Notre Dame’s heartbeat—penned a letter in The Players’ Tribune that felt like a rally cry:

“So when our season ended last weekend against TCU, I got another unplanned break, and a few more hard lessons. But this time, I was more prepared…Because Notre Dame is a lot of things…. We’re a football school. We’re a basketball school. Basically, if it’s wearing blue and gold, it’s going to be a problem. I’m back and I’m ready. Go Irish.”

But Hidalgo may soon be one of the last players standing.

Miles Walks, Hidalgo Stays: Inside Notre Dame’s Portal Storm and Program Crossroads

In the days following the loss, Notre Dame has seen a dramatic exodus. Kate Koval, Kylee Watson, and Emma Risch have all entered the transfer portal. Koval, a 6’5” freshman center who played 32 games and started 10, averaged 5.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks.

She didn’t wait long—Koval committed to LSU, making an instant leap from blue and gold to purple and gold under Kim Mulkey. Watson, a 6’4” senior, missed the year due to injury but previously averaged 6.2 points and 5 boards. Risch, a sophomore guard, posted 5.7 points per game before a hip injury cut her season short.

With five players graduating—including 2025 WNBA hopefuls Sonia Cintron, Liatu King, Liza Karlen, and Maddy Westbeld—head coach Niele Ivey is now left with just four players. Only one, Hidalgo, has logged serious minutes. The pressure is mounting.

Notre Dame does have a top-tier recruit incoming: five-star forward Leah Macy, ranked No. 19 nationally. But is it enough to stop the bleeding?