Checking the scoreboard for the Fighting Irish is basically a ritual for most of us on a Saturday. If you were looking for what was the Notre Dame score today, specifically for the January 17, 2026, matchup against Virginia Tech, the game just wrapped up at Cassell Coliseum. It was a noon tip-off, so if you're checking this in the late afternoon, you likely missed a rollercoaster.
Notre Dame entered this game with a 10-7 overall record, struggling a bit to find their footing in the ACC at 1-3 in conference play. Coming off a frustrating 81-69 loss to Miami earlier in the week, they really needed this one to avoid a four-game skid.
The Men's Basketball Battle in Blacksburg
The atmosphere in Blacksburg is always hostile. Honestly, it’s one of the toughest places to play in the country when the Hokies are clicking. Notre Dame’s defense has been a bit of a question mark lately, especially in the second half of games. Against Miami, they just couldn't get over the hump after the intermission.
Today’s game against Virginia Tech followed a similar tension-filled script.
🔗 Read more: Liverpool FC Chelsea FC: Why This Grudge Match Still Hits Different
The Irish have been leaning heavily on their core rotation to keep them afloat. Throughout the 2025-26 season, we’ve seen flashes of brilliance, like that overtime win against TCU back in December, but conference play has been a different beast entirely. They’ve been hovering around that 0.588 winning percentage, which isn't exactly where fans hoped they'd be by mid-January.
Beyond the Hardwood: Hockey and Other Irish Scores
It’s not just about basketball today. The Irish hockey team is actually out East too, taking on No. 8 Penn State at the Pegula Ice Arena.
That series hasn't been kind to Notre Dame so far. On Friday night, they fell 4-1 in a game that was basically decided by special teams. The Irish went 1-for-5 on the power play, with Evan Werner scoring the lone goal. They are back on the ice tonight at 8:00 PM ET for the rematch. If you are tracking the "score today" for hockey, keep an eye on that late-night result because the Irish are desperate to salvage a split against a top-ten Nittany Lions squad.
💡 You might also like: NFL Football Teams in Order: Why Most Fans Get the Hierarchy Wrong
Current Standing and What’s Next
The ACC is a meat grinder this year. Following the Virginia Tech game, the schedule doesn't get any easier. The Irish have to travel to Chapel Hill to face North Carolina on Wednesday, January 21.
If you're following the team closely, you've probably noticed a pattern: they play great in the first twenty minutes and then seem to hit a wall. It happened against Clemson (76-61 loss) and again against Miami. Fixing those second-half scoring droughts is going to be the difference between a March Madness berth and a very quiet spring in South Bend.
Real-time Tracking Tips
- ACC Network: This is usually your best bet for live broadcasts, though some games migrate to ESPN2 or The CW depending on the week.
- Fighting Irish App: If you want the box score the second the buzzer sounds, the official athletics app is surprisingly snappy.
- Radio Affiliates: For those on the road, the ACCN Radio feed carries almost every major men’s basketball game.
The road ahead is tough. Between fending off top-ranked hockey programs and trying to climb the ladder in a crowded ACC basketball landscape, January is proving to be a defining month for Notre Dame athletics.
📖 Related: Why Your 1 Arm Pull Up Progression Isn't Working (And How to Fix It)
Keep an eye on the defensive rotations. If the Irish can't start closing out games in the final ten minutes, these close scores are going to continue trending the wrong way.
Actionable Next Steps
Check the official Notre Dame Athletics schedule for updated stats and box scores from today's track and field events at the Simmons-Harvey Invite and the fencing results from the St. John’s Super Cup. If you're planning on watching the hockey rematch tonight, the puck drops at 8:00 PM ET on the radio and local streaming affiliates.