Notre Dame Fighting Irish Basketball Schedule: What Most People Get Wrong

Look, the mood around South Bend right now is... let’s just call it complicated. If you’ve been following the notre dame fighting irish basketball schedule, you know the "rebuild" under Micah Shrewsberry has reached that awkward phase where the "growing pains" excuse is starting to wear thin with the boosters. We’re in January 2026, and the Irish men are sitting at 10-7 overall with a 1-3 record in the ACC.

It’s frustrating.

You’ve got a roster that finally has the "airport team" look Shrewsberry wanted—tall, long, and athletic—but the results on the floor are still swinging wildly between "we can beat anyone" and "why did we just lose to Purdue Fort Wayne?"

Honestly, the schedule for the rest of the 2025-26 season is a gauntlet. If you’re planning your weekends around these games, you’ll want to keep the antacid close. Here’s the real deal on where the Irish stand and what the path looks like from here.

The Men’s Gauntlet: Can They Save the Season?

The January slump hit hard. After a fairly decent non-conference run that included a massive OT win at TCU back in December, the wheels sort of wobbled in conference play. Losing to Miami at home 69-81 on January 13th was a gut punch. Now, the team faces a brutal road swing that basically determines if they’re playing for a postseason seed or just playing for pride.

Upcoming key matchups:

• Jan 17: At Virginia Tech (12:00 PM ET) – The Hokies are tough at home, and the Irish have historically struggled in Blacksburg.
• Jan 21: At North Carolina (7:00 PM ET) – Chapel Hill is never easy. The Irish haven't won at the Dean Smith Center since 2015.
• Jan 24: Boston College (6:00 PM ET) – This is a "must-win" back at Purcell Pavilion.
• Jan 27: Virginia (7:00 PM ET) – Tony Bennett’s pack-line defense vs. Markus Burton’s speed is the chess match to watch.

Basically, if the Irish don't find a way to split these next four, the February schedule—which includes Duke and NC State at home—is going to feel like a very long march to the ACC Tournament in Charlotte.

The roster has talent, no doubt. Markus Burton is still the engine, but freshman Jalen Haralson is starting to show why he was a top-tier recruit. He’s 6-7, can handle the rock, and has a ceiling that’s higher than the Golden Dome. But he’s a freshman. He makes freshman mistakes.

Why the 2025-26 Schedule is Different

This year, the ACC moved to an 18-game slate, and the travel is just weird now. The Irish already did their "California Swing" back in late December and early January, beating Stanford but losing a heartbreaker to Cal by one point. That jet lag is real. You've also got the newcomers like SMU on the schedule (Feb 10th in Dallas), which feels more like a mid-major road trip than an ACC battle, but don't sleep on them.

The Women’s Side: Business as Usual (Mostly)

While the men are scratching and clawing, Niele Ivey’s squad is mostly doing what they do: winning. They’re 12-4, but they’ve had their own stumbles. Losing to Michigan in the Shamrock Classic was a shocker, and the OT loss to Georgia Tech on New Year's Day proved that even the heavy hitters can bleed.

The notre dame fighting irish basketball schedule for the women has a massive red circle around January 19th. That’s the trip to Storrs to face UConn. It’s the rivalry that defines the sport for a lot of fans.

Key remaining games for the women:

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1. Jan 22: Miami at home – A chance to avenge the men's loss.
2. Jan 29 & Feb 1: The West Coast trip (at Cal, at Stanford).
3. Feb 15: NC State – This will likely be a top-15 matchup with massive seeding implications.

Hannah Hidalgo is still the most electric player in the country. She’s averaging steals at a rate that should be illegal. Seeing her match up against JuJu Watkins (which happened in the USC win back in November) was a preview of the next decade of the WNBA.

Breaking Down the "Purcell Pavilion" Factor

One thing most people miss when looking at the schedule is the home-court advantage—or lack thereof lately. Purcell Pavilion used to be a fortress. This year, the men have already dropped three games at home, including a head-scratcher to Purdue Fort Wayne.

If you're going to a game, the atmosphere is still there, but the "toughness" Shrewsberry keeps preaching hasn't fully translated to defending the home floor. They need to sweep the late February home stand (Duke, NC State, Stanford) to have any hope of an NIT bid, let alone the Big Dance.

Actionable Next Steps for Fans

If you're tracking the Irish this season, don't just look at the wins and losses. Here is how to actually evaluate the progress:

• Watch the Turnovers: In the losses to Miami and Cal, the Irish men coughed it up in the final four minutes. If that number stays under 10, they win.
• Check the Lineups: Shrewsberry is experimenting. Watch how much time Logan Imes and Jalen Haralson spend on the floor together. That’s the future.
• Ticket Strategy: If you're looking for value, the Feb 14th game against Georgia Tech is a "Gold Out." It'll be loud, and tickets are generally cheaper than the Duke game on the 24th.
• Broadcast Info: Most of the remaining ACC games are on ACC Network or ESPN2. If you're a cord-cutter, make sure your Fubo or YouTube TV sub is active because "The CW" is also carrying a surprising number of Saturday afternoon games this year.

The 2025-26 season isn't over, but the margin for error is basically zero. Whether it's Shrewsberry trying to prove the rebuild is working or Ivey trying to get back to the Final Four, the next six weeks are going to be a wild ride. Keep your eyes on the road games—that's where this team will either grow up or get left behind.