COLUMBUS, Ohio — For the fifth consecutive season and 31st time in program history, Notre Dame women’s basketball is dancing. The No. 6 Irish are set to face No. 11 Fairfield on Saturday afternoon in the First Round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. The contest tips off at 2:00 p.m. on ESPN, and Roy Philpott and Nell Fortner will have the call.
NOTES
- The Irish are one of 12 teams in the country to win at least one NCAA Tournament game in each of the last four seasons.
- Notre Dame has won nine of its last 11 games entering the NCAA Tournament, including a narrow loss to Duke in the ACC Tournament semifinals. Prior to facing the Blue Devils, the Irish downed Miami and NC State by 15 points and 18 points, respectively, in Duluth.
- Notre Dame played 14 teams that ultimately made the NCAA Tournament, including two games each against Duke, Louisville and NC State.
- The Irish are led by Hannah Hidalgo, who was named ACC Player of the Year and ACC Defensive Player of the Year for the second year in a row, becoming the first player to win both awards in back-to-back years. She was also a unanimous selection to the USA TODAY All-America First Team and is on the Wooden Award National Ballot, among other honors.
- Notre Dame is 75-28 all-time in the NCAA Tournament, including a 26-4 record in the First Round. The Irish have advanced to the Sweet 16 on 21 occasions, including in each of their last 14 NCAA Tournament appearances.
- The Irish are 1-0 all-time against Fairfield and have not faced the Stags since 1987.
