Honestly, if you're trying to keep up with the nd women's basketball schedule, you've probably realized by now that Niele Ivey doesn't do "easy." This 2025-26 season is a total gauntlet. We are currently sitting in the middle of January, and the vibes around South Bend are... intense. The Irish are 12-4 right now. That sounds solid, but in the ACC? It’s a dogfight every single night.
People always look at the big names like UConn or USC and circle those on the calendar. Sure, those are huge. But what most people get wrong about this team is how much the "middle" of the schedule actually defines them. Losing back-to-back road games to Georgia Tech and Duke earlier this month was a wake-up call. It wasn't expected. It hurt. But then Hannah Hidalgo goes out and does Hannah Hidalgo things, and suddenly they're back on a win streak after dismantling North Carolina 73-50.
Upcoming Games on the nd women's basketball schedule
If you are planning your life around these games, grab a pen. The next few weeks are basically a "Who's Who" of women's college basketball. We’ve got a massive showdown tonight, January 15, against No. 9 Louisville at Purcell Pavilion. This is for all the marbles in the ACC standings right now. Louisville is 6-0 in the conference; we’re 4-2. You do the math.
After that? It doesn't get any lighter.
- Jan 19: At UConn (5:00 P.M. ET on FOX). This is the big one. Storrs is never friendly.
- Jan 22: Miami at home (6:00 P.M. ET).
- Jan 25: Clemson at home (3:00 P.M. ET).
- Jan 29: At California (10:00 P.M. ET). Yes, a West Coast road trip in the middle of winter.
- Feb 1: At Stanford (4:00 P.M. ET). This new ACC alignment is wild, right?
The February slate is just as brutal. We've got Virginia Tech coming to town on February 5, and then a massive rematch with NC State on February 15. If you remember that double-overtime heartbreaker against the Wolfpack last year, you know the Irish have that date circled in red.
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Why the Road Games Matter More This Year
It’s easy to feel safe at Purcell Pavilion. The Irish are a perfect 10-0 at home this season. But the nd women's basketball schedule shows a different story on the road: 2-3. That’s where the cracks show. Niele Ivey has talked about "mental toughness" a lot lately, and she’s right. Winning in South Bend is one thing; winning in a hostile environment in Durham or Atlanta is another beast entirely.
The addition of teams like Stanford and Cal to the ACC means more travel miles. It means later tip-offs. For a team that relies heavily on the explosiveness of players like Cassandre Prosper and the steady hand of KK Bransford, those long flights to the coast take a toll.
Breaking Down the Key Matchups
You can't talk about this schedule without talking about the UConn game. It’s the rivalry that never dies. Even though it's a non-conference game technically, it feels like a Final Four preview every single time. Last year, the Irish took care of business in South Bend, winning 79-68. This year, heading to Harry A. Gampel Pavilion? Different story. UConn has a way of making you pay for every single turnover.
Then there’s Louisville. We play them twice—once tonight and then again to close out the regular season on March 1. Jeff Walz always has those girls playing physical. If the Irish can't handle the press, it’s going to be a long night.
The Hannah Hidalgo Factor
Look, the schedule is just paper without the players. Hannah Hidalgo is currently averaging 25.1 points per game. She just won ACC Player of the Week (again). When people look at the nd women's basketball schedule, they see dates. When opponents look at it, they see #3. She’s the engine. If she’s on, Notre Dame can beat anyone in the country. If she’s stifled—like she was a bit in that Georgia Tech loss—the rest of the roster has to step up.
We’re seeing more from Cassandre Prosper lately, which is huge. She’s putting up 17.1 points and nearly 8 rebounds. That inside-outside duo is what makes this schedule manageable.
What to Watch For in the Final Stretch
As we head into the back half of the season, watch the bench. Malaya Cowles and Gisela Sanchez have been solid, but depth becomes a massive issue in late February. The ACC Tournament starts March 4 in Greensboro, and if the Irish want a double-bye, they basically can't afford more than one or two more losses.
The home game against Syracuse on February 26 is going to be a sneaky tough one. Syracuse plays a fast, chaotic style that can trip you up if you’re already looking ahead to the Louisville finale.
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Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Sync your calendar: If you haven't already, add the January 19 UConn game and the February 15 NC State game to your alerts. These are the "resume builders" for NCAA seeding.
- Watch the Standings: Keep an eye on Louisville and Duke. Since they’re both currently undefeated in the ACC, every Notre Dame win acts as a ladder climb.
- Check Ticket Availability: Home games against Miami (Jan 22) and Virginia Tech (Feb 5) usually have better ticket availability than the big-name matchups if you're trying to see them live at Purcell.
- Monitor the Injury Report: With the high-intensity travel coming up for the Cal/Stanford road trip, player rotation will be key. See if Ivey gives more minutes to the freshmen like Leah Macy to keep the starters fresh.
The road to the Final Four is never a straight line. This schedule proves it. One night you're blowing out a ranked North Carolina team, the next you're fighting for your life in overtime. That’s just Irish basketball.