In a highly anticipated ACC showdown, the No. 1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish will face the No. 13 NC State Wolfpack today at noon in Raleigh, North Carolina. This matchup not only features the top two teams in the conference but also serves as the backdrop for ESPN’s “College GameDay,” marking the first time the program has visited Raleigh for a women’s basketball game. citeturn0search0

 

Notre Dame enters the contest with a stellar 24-2 overall record and an unblemished 15-0 mark in ACC play. Under the leadership of fifth-year head coach Niele Ivey, the Fighting Irish have silenced skeptics who questioned the program’s trajectory following the retirement of legendary coach Muffet McGraw. The team’s success is largely attributed to its dynamic backcourt trio: freshman sensation Hannah Hidalgo, junior Olivia Miles, and senior Sonia Citron. Hidalgo, averaging 24.9 points per game, ranks second nationally in scoring and is a strong candidate for National Player of the Year. Miles, who has enhanced her three-point shooting to 44% this season, contributes 16.7 points and 6.2 assists per game, while Citron adds 13.5 points per contest. The frontcourt is anchored by Pitt transfer Liatu King, who averages a double-double with 11.5 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. citeturn0search0

 

The Fighting Irish are riding a 19-game winning streak, recently dominating the Miami Hurricanes 82-42. In that game, Citron led with 19 points, Hidalgo added 18, Miles contributed 14, and King recorded her 10th double-double of the season with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Notre Dame’s defense was particularly stifling, holding Miami to just six points in the first quarter. citeturn0news10

 

On the other side, NC State boasts a 21-5 overall record and a 13-2 standing in the ACC. The Wolfpack are formidable at home, maintaining a perfect 14-0 record this season and extending their home winning streak to 19 games, the longest active streak in the ACC. The team is led by senior guards Aziaha James and Saniya Rivers, with James averaging 17.7 points per game, ranking sixth in the ACC. Rivers contributes across the board, leading the team in steals (1.7 per game) and blocks (1.3 per game). Sophomore guard Zoe Brooks has emerged as a key playmaker, averaging 3.9 assists per game. citeturn0search0

 

NC State’s recent performance includes a convincing 83-68 road victory over No. 20 Georgia Tech, where James and Brooks each scored 17 points. The Wolfpack’s offense has been prolific, surpassing 85 points in four consecutive games, highlighted by a 97-74 win against Florida State. citeturn0news14

 

This game carries significant implications for both teams. A win for Notre Dame would secure the ACC regular-season title for the second time in three years, while NC State aims to bolster its tournament resume and potentially disrupt the Fighting Irish’s dominance. The clash between Notre Dame’s efficient offense and NC State’s staunch defense promises an exciting contest, with both teams eager to make a statement as the postseason approaches.

 

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