UConn and Notre Dame to renew rivalry in women's Elite Eight
UConn and Notre Dame to renew rivalry in women's Elite Eight
Meghan L. Hall, USA TODAYSat, March 28, 2026 at 1:10 AM UTC
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FORT WORTH, TX ― The No. 1-ranked UConn women's basketball team will meet one of its biggest rivals, Notre Dame, in the Elite Eight on March 29.
After cruising to a 63-42 win over No. 4 North Carolina in the Sweet 16 on March 27, the No. 1 overall seeded Huskies have a date with the No. 6 Fighting Irish on Sunday. It's the ninth time the two teams have met in the NCAA Tournament, tying a record for the most in history.
The matchup will also be the 56th meeting between UConn and Notre Dame in the last 30 years. The Huskies own the series, 39-16, including an 85-47 victory on January 19. Both teams have changed since January, making Sunday's game one to keep an eye on.
"We've had a lot of time to work on our offense, our defense, our chemistry. I feel like we're in a much better place ... just as a whole," guard Azzi Fudd said. "So we're definitely a different team, and so are they. We're looking forward to it."
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"We're a lot sharper at things that we needed to get better at. We're better," forward Sarah Strong said. "For them, I don't really know. I'm just focused on us."
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On Notre Dame's side, the meeting with UConn holds a special meaning. It's the first time head coach Niele Ivey has made the Elite Eight with the Fighting Irish.
Notre Dame advanced to the Elite Eight after upsetting No. 2 Vanderbilt, 67-64, in the Sweet 16 on March 27 at Dickies Arena. Ivey says the Irish plan to enjoy Friday's Sweet 16 win for at least 24 hours before starting to prepare for No. 1 UConn.
The Notre Dame coach emphasized how hard it is to make the Final Four, should they get out of the Elite Eight. The program's last appearance was in 2019, when it beat UConn, 81-76, before falling to Baylor in the national championship.
"It's a level of toughness that you have to have. The stage is even bigger than it was today," Ivey said of playing in the Elite Eight. "You have to have a great game plan and be really tough. I think that's the biggest thing."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: UConn vs. Notre Dame to renew decades-long rivalry in women's Elite Eight
Source: “AOL Sports”
