Notre Dame and Louisville Prepare for Top-25 Clash

The highly anticipated matchup between No. 23 Notre Dame and No. 9 Louisville is set to take place at Purcell Pavilion. The game is scheduled for Thursday and both teams will be looking to establish dominance in the ACC.

Game Overview: Notre Dame vs. Louisville

Notre Dame enters this clash with a record of 12-4 overall and 4-2 in the conference. Meanwhile, Louisville boasts an impressive 16-3 overall record and remains undefeated in ACC play at 6-0. This game not only carries postseason implications but also highlights the competitive landscape of college basketball as both teams aim for a top spot.

Recent Performance

The Irish are fresh off a significant victory against No. 22 North Carolina, winning 73-50. A pivotal third quarter propelled Notre Dame, where they outscored their opponents 22-5, fueled by Vanessa de Jesus’s three critical three-pointers.

• Key Players:
• Courtney Lyle and Stephanie White will cover the game on the ACC Network.
• Hidalgo has been named ACC Player of the Week four times this season, a remarkable achievement.

Player Highlights

Hidalgo had an outstanding performance against North Carolina, contributing 31 points, eight rebounds, and seven steals. She has averaged 23.3 points per game against ranked teams, placing her fifth nationally among players with at least three games.

• Cassandre Prosper has also made waves, earning a spot on the USBWA National Team of the Week.
• She recorded double-doubles in six of her last eight games, an impressive turnaround in her performance.

Team Statistics

Notre Dame currently ranks sixth nationally in steals per game. The team has three players—Hidalgo, de Jesus, and Malaya Cowles—averaging over two steals each. Hidalgo’s career total of 374 steals is just seven shy of the program’s record set by Skylar Diggins.

Historical Context

In historical matchups, Notre Dame holds a 22-14 all-time record against Louisville, with a 9-5 home record. The Irish have won the last four encounters between the two teams. Notably, in four of the last five meetings, both teams have held rankings, illustrating the intense competitiveness and high stakes of this rivalry.

As fans look forward to this exciting top-25 clash, both teams will be eager to assert their prowess in the ACC. The outcome could significantly influence each team’s position heading into the latter part of the season.