Notre Dame Fighting Irish women's basketball

Notre Dame Fighting Irish women's basketball
Name	Notre Dame Fighting Irish
University	University of Notre Dame
Conference	Atlantic Coast Conference
Location	Notre Dame, Indiana
Arena	Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center
Capacity	9,149
Headcoach	Niele Ivey
Tenures	2020–present
Nickname	Fighting Irish
Colors	Blue and Gold
Ncaatourneys	28
Ncaachampionships	2 (2001, 2018)
Conference tourney	ACC: 2019, Big East: 1994, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Conference regular	ACC: 2019, Big East: 2001, 2013

Notre Dame Fighting Irish women's basketball represents the University of Notre Dame in NCAA Division I competition. The program has established itself as a national powerhouse, capturing two NCAA Championships and making nine appearances in the Final Four. Competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference since 2013, the team plays its home games at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center under the leadership of head coach Niele Ivey.

History

The program began varsity competition in 1977 under head coach Mary DiStanislao. Early success in the AIAW tournament laid the foundation, but the program's rise to prominence accelerated with the hiring of Muffet McGraw in 1987. McGraw guided the team to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1992, beginning a streak of 24 consecutive berths. The program's first national championship came in 2001, led by stars like Ruth Riley and defeating Purdue in the title game. A second NCAA Championship followed in 2018, a victory over Mississippi State that was part of a remarkable run of five consecutive Final Four appearances from 2018 to 2019. The transition from the Big East Conference to the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2013 marked a new competitive chapter for the Fighting Irish.

Program achievements

The program's achievements are headlined by its two NCAA Championships in 2001 and 2018. The team has reached the Final Four nine times, including a record five consecutive appearances from 2011 to 2019. Notre Dame has won 14 conference tournament championships, all during its tenure in the Big East Conference, and has claimed three regular-season conference titles. The program has produced numerous All-America selections, multiple Naismith College Player of the Year winners, and several Olympic medalists. Its consistent excellence is reflected in over 28 NCAA Tournament appearances and numerous victories over top-ranked opponents throughout its history.

Notable players

The program has developed a long list of distinguished players who have achieved success at the collegiate, professional, and international levels. Ruth Riley, the cornerstone of the 2001 championship team, was named Final Four Most Outstanding Player and later won a WNBA championship and an Olympic gold medal. Skylar Diggins-Smith became a national icon, leading the team to three consecutive Final Fours and earning multiple All-America honors. Arike Ogunbowale hit two legendary game-winning shots in the 2018 Final Four to secure the national title. Other notable alumni include Jacqueline Batteast, Kayla McBride, Natalie Achonwa, and Brianna Turner, all of whom have had significant professional careers in the WNBA and with their respective national teams.

Coaches

Muffet McGraw is the defining figure in program history, serving as head coach from 1987 to 2020. Under her leadership, the team won both of its national championships, and she was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017. Her successor, Niele Ivey, a former All-American point guard for the Fighting Irish and a long-time assistant under McGraw, was named head coach in 2020. Ivey, who also won a WNBA championship as an assistant with the Memphis Grizzlies organization, has continued the program's tradition of excellence, guiding the team to the NCAA Tournament in her first seasons. Previous coaches include Mary DiStanislao, who founded the program, and Dennis Murphy.

Home court

The team plays its home games at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center, a 9,149-seat arena on the campus of the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana. The facility, which underwent a major renovation in 2009, provides a distinct and intimidating home-court advantage, often selling out for major contests. The arena has hosted numerous NCAA Tournament games, including First and Second Round and Regional matchups. The gameday atmosphere, fueled by the loyal support of the Leprechaun Legion and broader South Bend community, is considered one of the best in women's college basketball.

Rivalries

The program maintains several intense and historic rivalries. The most prominent is with the UConn Huskies, a series born in the Big East Conference that evolved into one of the sport's premier national rivalries, featuring numerous clashes in the NCAA Tournament and Final Four. Within the Atlantic Coast Conference, a strong rivalry exists with the Louisville Cardinals, with both teams frequently competing for conference supremacy. The in-state rivalry with the Purdue Boilermakers carries significant historical weight, highlighted by their meeting in the 2001 national championship game. Other notable competitive series include those with fellow ACC powers North Carolina and Duke.

Category:Notre Dame Fighting Irish women's basketball Category:Atlantic Coast Conference women's basketball