If you’re scrambling to find out what time do Notre Dame play tonight, you aren't alone. The South Bend faithful are buzzing. Tonight, Tuesday, January 13, 2026, the Notre Dame men’s basketball team is set for an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) showdown against the Miami Hurricanes.
It's going to be a loud one at the Purcell Pavilion.
The game officially tips off at 7:00 PM ET.
Honestly, the energy in the Joyce Center usually starts peaking about an hour before that, so if you're heading to the arena, don't be late. For everyone watching from the couch, you’ll want to have the remote ready. The game is being broadcast nationally on ESPNU.
Getting the Timing Right for the Irish
Timing is everything in college hoops. While the schedule says 7:00 PM, we all know how these TV windows work. If the game preceding it on ESPNU runs long due to a flurry of fouls or a double-overtime thriller, the Irish might not actually see the ball in the air until 7:10 or 7:15 PM.
But for your planning? Stick to 7:00 PM.
If you are a radio person, you can catch the local call on the Notre Dame Radio Network. Most fans in the South Bend area tune into 96.1 FM WSBT. It’s got that classic atmosphere you just don't get from the TV announcers.
Where is the game?
The venue is the Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center in Notre Dame, Indiana. It's a home game. That’s huge for this young roster. Home-court advantage in the ACC is a real thing, and the Irish definitely need it tonight.
Why This Miami Matchup Matters
Notre Dame enters this game looking to find some consistency. The 2025-26 season has been a bit of a roller coaster, hasn't it? Just a few days ago, on January 10, the Irish took a tough 76-61 loss at home against Clemson. That one stung.
Miami is coming in with their usual speed and guard-heavy play. Basically, the Irish defense is going to have to stay on its toes to prevent the Hurricanes from turning this into a track meet.
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The Current Outlook:
- Opponent: Miami Hurricanes
- Date: Tuesday, Jan 13, 2026
- Time: 7:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPNU
- Location: South Bend, IN
If you’ve followed the Irish this season, you know they've had flashes of brilliance. They beat Stanford on the road back in late December (a tight 47-40 defensive battle), but then dropped a heartbreaker to Cal just after New Year's. This Miami game is a chance to reset the momentum before they head out to Blacksburg to face Virginia Tech this weekend.
Watching the Game Without Cable
A lot of people ask how to watch if they've cut the cord. Since the game is on ESPNU, you can’t just use a digital antenna. You’ll need a streaming service that carries the ESPN family of networks.
Think FuboTV, YouTube TV, or Hulu + Live TV.
If you have a cable login but you're stuck at work or in the car (not driving, hopefully!), the ESPN app is your best bet. Just log in with your provider credentials and you can stream it live on your phone or tablet.
What About the Other Irish Teams?
It's a busy week for Notre Dame athletics, so don't get the schedules crossed. While the men are playing tonight, the Notre Dame women’s basketball team—currently ranked and playing some incredible ball—doesn't play until Thursday, January 15. They’ll be hosting a massive top-10 matchup against No. 9 Louisville at 6:00 PM ET.
The hockey team is also on the road this coming Friday at Penn State.
Basically, tonight is all about the men's hoops.
Key Tactics to Watch Tonight
Keep an eye on the perimeter defense. Miami loves the three-pointer. If Notre Dame can't close out on shooters, it’s going to be a long night in South Bend. Coach will likely be emphasizing ball security, too. In that Clemson loss, turnovers were a bit of a nightmare.
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Expect a heavy dose of the student section, the "Legion of Blue." They usually show out for conference games, even on a Tuesday night in the middle of January.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your channel lineup: Ensure you actually have ESPNU. It's often in a "Sports Tier" or higher-level package than standard ESPN.
- Set the DVR: If you’re coming home late, set it for 7:00 PM ET, but add an extra 30 minutes to the end. College games rarely finish in exactly two hours.
- Monitor Live Stats: If you can’t watch, the official Fighting Irish website provides a live "StatBroadcast" that's faster than most score apps.
The Irish are at a crossroads in their conference schedule. Winning tonight against Miami would go a long way in building confidence for the gauntlet that is the rest of the ACC season. Turn on ESPNU at 7:00 PM and see if they can defend home court.