It is one of those Saturdays where if you blink, you basically miss half the action. If you're looking for the time for notre dame game today, you actually have a double-header of sorts across two different sports. Whether you are tracking the hoops squad down in Blacksburg or waiting for the puck to drop in Happy Valley, the schedule is packed for January 17, 2026.
Honestly, the main event for most fans is the early afternoon tip-off. The Notre Dame men's basketball team is facing a tough road test against Virginia Tech. It's a noon start.
When does Notre Dame basketball play today?
The time for notre dame game today for the men's basketball team is 12:00 PM ET.
They are playing at Cassell Coliseum. It is a hostile environment, no doubt about it. The Irish (10-7) are trying to snap a bit of a skid, having dropped three straight. Virginia Tech (13-5) is coming in as the favorite, usually pegged around -5.5.
If you aren't in Blacksburg, you’ve got to find the ACC Network. That’s where the broadcast is living today. If you’re a cord-cutter, you can usually find it via ESPN+ if you have the right TV provider login, or through Fubo and YouTube TV.
Quick Tip-Off Details
The game starts right at noon. If you’re on the West Coast, that’s a 9:00 AM start, so maybe grab a coffee before the Irish try to handle the Hokies’ pressure.
- Opponent: Virginia Tech Hokies
- Location: Blacksburg, VA
- Broadcast: ACC Network / ACCN Radio
- Current Record: Notre Dame (10-7, 1-3 ACC)
Don't forget the Irish Hockey schedule
If basketball isn't your vibe, or if you just want a full day of sports, the hockey team is also in action. They are out in Pennsylvania taking on Penn State.
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The puck drops later tonight at 8:00 PM ET.
This is the second game of a back-to-back series. Last night wasn't great for the Irish—they fell 4-1 to the Nittany Lions. Special teams were a mess, and they really need to stay out of the penalty box tonight if they want to split the weekend. You can catch this one on the radio or follow along with live stats through the official Fighting Irish app.
Other Irish sports happening right now
It is a busy day for the athletic department in general.
The fencing team is out in Queens for the St. John’s Super Cup. They’ve been at it all day.
Track and Field is also competing at the Simmons-Harvey Invite in Ann Arbor. That started around 11:00 AM ET.
It's sort of easy to lose track of which team is where when everyone is on the road. The big takeaway for the casual fan is simply: Noon for Basketball, 8:00 PM for Hockey.
How to watch and what to expect
For the basketball game, keep an eye on Markus Burton. He’s been the engine for this team, averaging about 18.5 points per game. He needs a big afternoon. The Irish have struggled with consistency lately, especially in the second half.
Virginia Tech has a balanced attack, so the Irish defense has to be better than it was against Miami earlier this week. If you’re betting, the over/under is sitting around 140.5, which suggests a fairly high-scoring affair for an afternoon ACC tilt.
Your Action Plan for Today:
- Check your cable or streaming package for ACC Network before 12:00 PM ET.
- Set a reminder for 8:00 PM ET if you want to catch the hockey highlights or radio broadcast.
- Keep the live stats page open if you're tracking the Fencing or Track results, as those are "all day" affairs with rolling schedules.
The Irish are underdogs in both major matchups today, but that’s usually when they play their best. Grab your gear and get ready for a long day of South Bend sports from afar.