Date: Monday
January 19th, 2026
Storrs, Ct.
Gampel Pavilion
Time: 5:00
TV: FOX
No. 1 UConn Huskies Notre Dame
18-0 (9-0) 12-5 (4-3)
Prior Meetings
NOTRE DAME | UCONN
HUSKIES LEADS 39-16
H: 22-5 | A: 12-6 | N: 5-5
01/18/96 #3 UConn 87, ND 64 South Bend, Ind.
02/24/96 #3 UConn 86, ND 79 Storrs, Conn.
03/05/96 #2 UConn 71, ND 54 Storrs, Conn.
02/09/97 #1 UConn 72, ND 49 Storrs, Conn.
03/04/97 #1 UConn 86, ND77 Storrs, Conn.
12/06/97 #3 UConn 78, ND 59 South Bend, Ind.
02/21/98 #2 UConn 73, ND 61 Storrs, Conn.
03/02/98 #3 UConn 73, ND 53 Piscataway, N.J.
12/08/98 #1 UConn 106, ND 81 South Bend, Ind.
03/02/99 #6 UConn 96, ND 75 Piscataway, N.J.
02/26/00 #1 UConn 77, ND 59 Hartford, Conn.
01/15/01 ND 92, #1 UConn 76 South Bend, Ind.
03/06/01 #2 UConn 78, ND 76 Storrs, Conn.
03/30/01 ND 90, #1 UConn 75 St. Louis, Mo.
01/21/02 #1 UConn 80, ND 53 Hartford, Conn.
01/20/03 #2 UConn 72, ND 53 South Bend, Ind.
02/23/03 #1 UConn 77, ND59 Storrs, Conn.
01/13/04 ND 66, #4 UConn 51 South Bend, Ind.
01/12/05 #16 UConn 67, #7 ND 50 South Bend, Ind.
01/30/05 #6 ND 65, #9 UConn 59 Storrs, Conn.
03/07/05 #14 UConn 67, #10 ND 54 Hartford, Conn.
02/19/06 #8 UConn 79, ND 64 South Bend, Ind.
03/05/06 #7 UConn 71, ND 60 Hartford, Conn.
01/27/07 #6 UConn 64, ND 47 Storrs, Conn.
01/27/08 #1 UConn 81, #16 ND 64 South Bend, Ind.
02/22/09 #1 UConn 76, #24 ND 66 Hartford, Conn.
01/16/10 #1 UConn 70, #3 ND 46 Storrs, Conn.
03/01/10 #1 UConn 76, #8 ND 51 South Bend, Ind.
03/08/10 #1 UConn 59, #6 ND 44 Hartford, Conn.
01/08/11 #2 UConn 79, #19 ND 76 South Bend, Ind.
02/19/11 #2 UConn 78, #8 ND 57 Storrs, Conn.
03/08/11 #1 UConn 73, #10 ND 64 Hartford, Conn.
04/03/11 #10 ND 72, #1 UConn 63 Indianapolis, Ind.
01/07/12 ND 74, #2 UConn 67 (OT) South Bend, Ind.
02/27/12 #3 ND 72, #4 UConn 59 Storrs, Conn.
03/06/12 #4 UConn 63, #3 ND 54 Hartford, Conn.
04/01/12 #4 ND 83, #3 UConn 75 (OT) Denver, Colo.
01/05/13 #5 ND 73, #1 UConn 72 Storrs, Conn.
03/04/13 #2 ND 96, #3 UConn 87 (3OT) South Bend, Ind.
03/12/13 #2 ND 62, #3 UConn 59 Hartford, Conn.
04/07/13 #3 UConn 85, #2 ND 65 New Orleans, La.
04/08/14 #1 UConn 79, #2 ND 58 Nashville, Tenn.
12/06/14 #3 UConn 76, #2 ND 58 South Bend, Ind.
04/07/15 #1 UConn 63, #2 ND 53 Tampa, Fla.
12/05/15 #1 UConn 91, #3 ND 81 Storrs, Conn.
12/07/16 #1 UConn 72, #2 ND 61 South Bend, Ind.
12/03/17 #1 UConn 80, #3 ND 71 Hartford, Conn.
03/30/18 #3 ND 91, #1 UConn 89 (OT) Columbus, Ohio
12/02/18 #2 UConn 89, #1 ND 71 South Bend, Ind.
04/05/19 #3 ND 81, #2 UConn 76 Tampa, Fla.
H: 22-5 | A: 12-6 | N: 5-5
01/18/96 #3 UConn 87, ND 64 South Bend, Ind.
02/24/96 #3 UConn 86, ND 79 Storrs, Conn.
03/05/96 #2 UConn 71, ND 54 Storrs, Conn.
02/09/97 #1 UConn 72, ND 49 Storrs, Conn.
03/04/97 #1 UConn 86, ND77 Storrs, Conn.
12/06/97 #3 UConn 78, ND 59 South Bend, Ind.
02/21/98 #2 UConn 73, ND 61 Storrs, Conn.
03/02/98 #3 UConn 73, ND 53 Piscataway, N.J.
12/08/98 #1 UConn 106, ND 81 South Bend, Ind.
03/02/99 #6 UConn 96, ND 75 Piscataway, N.J.
02/26/00 #1 UConn 77, ND 59 Hartford, Conn.
01/15/01 ND 92, #1 UConn 76 South Bend, Ind.
03/06/01 #2 UConn 78, ND 76 Storrs, Conn.
03/30/01 ND 90, #1 UConn 75 St. Louis, Mo.
01/21/02 #1 UConn 80, ND 53 Hartford, Conn.
01/20/03 #2 UConn 72, ND 53 South Bend, Ind.
02/23/03 #1 UConn 77, ND59 Storrs, Conn.
01/13/04 ND 66, #4 UConn 51 South Bend, Ind.
01/12/05 #16 UConn 67, #7 ND 50 South Bend, Ind.
01/30/05 #6 ND 65, #9 UConn 59 Storrs, Conn.
03/07/05 #14 UConn 67, #10 ND 54 Hartford, Conn.
02/19/06 #8 UConn 79, ND 64 South Bend, Ind.
03/05/06 #7 UConn 71, ND 60 Hartford, Conn.
01/27/07 #6 UConn 64, ND 47 Storrs, Conn.
01/27/08 #1 UConn 81, #16 ND 64 South Bend, Ind.
02/22/09 #1 UConn 76, #24 ND 66 Hartford, Conn.
01/16/10 #1 UConn 70, #3 ND 46 Storrs, Conn.
03/01/10 #1 UConn 76, #8 ND 51 South Bend, Ind.
03/08/10 #1 UConn 59, #6 ND 44 Hartford, Conn.
01/08/11 #2 UConn 79, #19 ND 76 South Bend, Ind.
02/19/11 #2 UConn 78, #8 ND 57 Storrs, Conn.
03/08/11 #1 UConn 73, #10 ND 64 Hartford, Conn.
04/03/11 #10 ND 72, #1 UConn 63 Indianapolis, Ind.
01/07/12 ND 74, #2 UConn 67 (OT) South Bend, Ind.
02/27/12 #3 ND 72, #4 UConn 59 Storrs, Conn.
03/06/12 #4 UConn 63, #3 ND 54 Hartford, Conn.
04/01/12 #4 ND 83, #3 UConn 75 (OT) Denver, Colo.
01/05/13 #5 ND 73, #1 UConn 72 Storrs, Conn.
03/04/13 #2 ND 96, #3 UConn 87 (3OT) South Bend, Ind.
03/12/13 #2 ND 62, #3 UConn 59 Hartford, Conn.
04/07/13 #3 UConn 85, #2 ND 65 New Orleans, La.
04/08/14 #1 UConn 79, #2 ND 58 Nashville, Tenn.
12/06/14 #3 UConn 76, #2 ND 58 South Bend, Ind.
04/07/15 #1 UConn 63, #2 ND 53 Tampa, Fla.
12/05/15 #1 UConn 91, #3 ND 81 Storrs, Conn.
12/07/16 #1 UConn 72, #2 ND 61 South Bend, Ind.
12/03/17 #1 UConn 80, #3 ND 71 Hartford, Conn.
03/30/18 #3 ND 91, #1 UConn 89 (OT) Columbus, Ohio
12/02/18 #2 UConn 89, #1 ND 71 South Bend, Ind.
04/05/19 #3 ND 81, #2 UConn 76 Tampa, Fla.
12/08/19 #2 UConn 81, ND 57 Storrs, Conn.
12/05/21 #2 UConn 73, #24 Notre Dame 54 Hartford, Conn.
12/04/22 #7 ND 74, #3 UConn 60 South Bend, Ind.
01/27/24 #15 ND 82, #8 UConn 67 Storrs, Conn.
12/12/24 #8 ND 79, #2 UConn 68 South Bend, Ind.
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Notre Dame
This is not your usual Notre Dame team. They did start out the season as if they would be the same dominating Irish team. Although it was against weak teams, they beat up on Fairleigh Dickenson 98-52, Chicago State 116-58 and Akron 85-58.
The next game was a surprise to most fans, with Notre Dame getting destroyed by at the time No. 14 Michigan 93-54. No, that is not a typo. A 39 point loss. In this up and down season for the Irish, they bounced back with a 61-59 win over then No. 11 USC. However, USC has proven to be overrated this season.
They followed that win with a 83-51 beating of an overmatched Central Michigan team. Again, they could not maintain their momentum, losing to at the time No. 13 Ole Miss 69-62.
Their best winning streak of the season followed that loss, beating Florida State 93-58, Morehead State 97-48, James Madison 78-65, Bellemine 110-38 and Pittsburgh 94-59.
What followed was two losses, a 95-90 loss to Georgia Tech and a susprising 14 point loss to Duke 82-68. They put the hammer to their next two opponents beating Boston College 94-60 and then No. 22 North Carolina 73-50. I'm sure the Irish fans thought that win might turn things around. But in the last game before meeting UConn , Notre Dame lost at home to No. 9 Louisville 79-66.
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Comparative Team Statistics
(leader in bold)
UConn Notre Dame
90.4 PPG 83.6
51.7 Defensive PPG 63.2
38.7 Scoring Margin 20.5
52.4 Field Goal % 48.2
33.8 Defensive FG% 40.6
40.6 Three Point % 37.2
29.3 Defensive 3PT% 30.3
74.4 Free Throw % 78.8
38.0 Rebounds/game 36.9
6.3 Rebounding Margin 2.5
24.3 Assists per game 15.5
13.1 Turnover per game 13.0
1.9 Assists/TO ratio 1.2
15.8 Steals per game 14.8
4.9 Blocks per game 3.4
UCONN
The player and coaches names for both teams
are clickable to see their Bios
are clickable to see their Bios
UConn Starters
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Notre Dame
Notre Dame Starters
Vanderbilt Transfer
Notre Dame Bench
Out with Injury
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Game Analysis
My analysis is a little bias. I love UConn and hate Notre Dame. I'll do my best to write an honest assesment of the Irish, but it won't be easy. Ok, here goes.
This team has only two returning players this season that played in last year's Huskie loss to the Notre Dame. They cheated but i digress.
Just a quick look at last years team. They lost to either graduation or transfer four starters. Miles, who ran from South Bend as soon as the portal opened to TCU, is now gone. There were rumors that her ralationship with Hidalgo was poison. Liatu King graduated. She had 16 points in last years game. Citron, who battled Paige for rookie of the year in the WNBA also graduated. Kate Koval transfered to LSU. There she is still a poor player. I'm glad she didn't come to UConn. Off the bench, Liz Karlen graduated.
That is 5 of the 7 players from last years team that played against UConn. But while those five had an impact in the Irish win last year, They weren't the reason that UConn lost. One player was.
Back is Hannah Hildago, a UConn killer. The 5'6"junior guard is as quick a player witht he ball in her hands as anyone in the country. Her antics on the court annoy the heck out of me. The theatrics after a made basket, the staredowns of the defender, the beating of the chest. All of it. But there is no denying her talent. Last year she just dominated the Huskies. In 39 minutes she scored 29 points on 8-17 shooting. She was 6-11 on threes. She had 8 assists, so it just wasn't her scoring. And that 5'6" guard had 10 rebounds. And 3 steals. Oh yeah, there where plenty of antics. This year she is averaging 25 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 5.7 APG, 5.7 SPG. Her rebounding at her height is just phenomenal. I know I use the phrase "volume shooter" but this applies to Hidalgo. She takes almost 20 shots per game. But with the rest of the players as they are, she really has to do it. She shoots 57% on 2 pointers but her 24% on three pointers has really hurt Notre Dame this season. She gets to the line often and hits them at 90%. Ok, enough about Hidalgo. I don't want to upset those with HHDS. Hannah Hildago Derangement Syndrome.
Cassangra Prosper, a 6'2" senior forward, is the other returning player that played against Uconn last season. She played 18 minutes, scored 3 points going 1-3 from the field and had 4 turnovers. But don't let those stats influence your take on her game. She is a much improved player compared to last year. Prosper is the second leading scorer on this years team at 16.6 PPG and leads the team in rebounding at 7.9 RPG. A very efficient player, Prosper is shooting 53% from the field and 42.8% on threes, although is' only on 28 attempts on the season. UConn with have their hands full with Cassnadra. She also shoots 78% from the free throw line.
This is all you need to know about this years Notre Dame team. The remaining four players, three starters are transfers. The only freshman on the team is Leah Macy. She is a 6'2" forward that UConn was recruiting.
Vanessa De Jesus is the only player who has started all 17 games. The 5'8" grad student guard, who transfered in from Duke is averaging 9.9 PPG. She is a very good three point shooter at 42.9%.. Funny stat, she is shooting a lower percentage on her two point shots. A terrific free throw shooter at 91%.
Iyana Moore is a 5'8" grad student transfer from Vanderbilt. A UConn connection with Shea Ralph being her prior coach. Moore is a really good player. Coach Ivey put her in the starting lineup the last 4 games. She takes the most three point shots at 6 per game. The third leading scorer at 10.4 per game she shoots her three pointers at 43.6%. Another great FT shooter at 90%.
Malaya Cowels, a 6'3" grad student forward, is a transfer from Wake Forest. She is the size in the starting lineup. She moved into the starting lineup when KK Bransford was injured. Cowels is averaging 9.8 PPG and 5.5 RPG. She is a wide body and can carve out space in the paint. When she plays well, Notre Dame is a much better team. Since entering the starting lineup, she is averaging 13 PPG. Cowels shoots 54.5% from the field, most of those shots from close to the basket.
The final players in the rotation is 6'4" grad student transfer Gisela Sanchez, She started her first 13 games this season before moving to the bench the last 3 games she played. She has been on a few teams. She started at Arizona before moving on to Kansas State before finally landing at Notre Dame. She is tall but her game is more outside the paint. She averages 7.8 PPG and 5.5 RPG. She doesn't play big defensively in the paint with only 6 blocks the entire season.
The big numbers to note are these. 34.6, 33.5, 33.7, 27.4, 27.2, and 23.7. Those are the minutes per game the six player rotation plays. Against the better teams, those numbers increase. For example, in their last game, a loss to Louisville, the minutes were 40, 39, 38, 37, 37 with the bench only playing 9 minutes.
I would expect Notre Dame to play the same rotation as the Louisville game. Maybe more minutes from Sanchez to give starters more rest.
Starting lineup matchups give UConn the edge. The bench added in? No contest.
Hidlago vs KK. You have to give the first team AA the edge. But the gap is not as wide as you might think. I'm really looking forward to how well KK guards Hidalgo. That matchup will go a long way on how close this game is. But UConn is a team defensive effort. KK will get plenty of help.
6'2" Prosper vs 6'2" Strong. Yes, Prosper has really improved this season. She has added a three point shot, and is a ferocious rebounder. But she is going against the best player in America. No contest. Advantage UConn.
6'3" Cowels vs 6'4" Williams. This is a close matchup. Cowels is really strong in the paint and doesn't get pushed around. Williams is way quicker. I'd give Williams a slight (my bias) advantage.
5'8" de Jesus vs 5'11" Fudd. de Jesus is a fearless player. But Fudds game will put some fear into her. Fudd will shut her down. The opposet won't be true. AA Fudd gets the nod in this matchup.
5'8" Moore vs 5'10" Shade. Again my UConn bias has Shade with the advantage. That is based on Ashlynn's defense proclivity.
UConn's bench obviously has a HUGE advantage. I'm pretty sure Jana will be back and if Cowels gets the best of Williams, El Alfy will come in to get physical. Blanca is a freak in a good way and Notre Dame will have no answer for her. Heckel and Ziebell will see plenty of minutes as UConn goes 9 deep in this game.
Notre Dame is sliding and after the Louisville loss, will drop out of the Top 25. They were No. 23 at the time I published this report. With the graduations and transfers, the Irish had to jump into the portal to fill out the roster with grad students. All 4 of them and the senion Prosper will be gone next year. They have 5 recruits comeing in next season led by No. 11 Jacy Abii. The other four players are ranked 24, 30, 37 and 81. A decent class, but not the usual talent that the Irish bring in. More portal players will be needed.
Final Prediction
Revenge, sweet revenge. It will be difficult for the UConn players that lost to Notre Dame last year to get that taste out of their mouths until the Huskies get their revenge.
Strong didn't have her best game scoring only 14 points and grabbing 7 rebounds. Shade is the only other starter returning who played in that game. She had maybe her worst game of her career going scoreless on 0-5 shooting. KK came off the bench and was a bright spot with 10 points. Fudd watched in pain on the sidelines in this game. You can bet she is itching to get into this one.
As i said earlier, Hidalgo it the engine that drives this Notre Dame team. And she has been dominant against UConn her first two games. Can she do that again? Will it even matter? I think it won't. She might get her 25-30 points but she will need a lot of shots to get there. Hidalgo knows what's in store for the Irish.
"I've been trying to tell the girls that UConn is a different beast. If we think certain teams that we have to were tough then we're going to have a rude awakening for UConn. It is a completely different team now. What worked last year might not work this year. And this is gonna require a lot of different things for us to do this year in order to beat UConn. And I think we can’t have any mistakes. There are some things that we have to figure out, how to not make those mistakes when we play UConn. Because UConn of course is the best team in women’s basketball right now."
The lack of ability for Notre Dame to limit player minutes against this devistating Huskie pressure will wear out their players. As the games go on, Hidalgo looks to me that she tires and her shots are short. We can expect more of that in this game. Geno will keep the pressure on the entire game. I'm sure last year is in the back of his mind as well.
UConn is just way more talented, Notre Dame is just too short of players. UConn's defense is the best in the country. Notre Dame's defense is mediocre.
Huskies by 23+. That plus could be a big number.
