Notre Dame Women's Basketball Opens NCAA Play Against Southern Utah – Sports Illustrated

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame Women’s Basketball are set to commence their NCAA tournament journey against the Thunderbirds of Southern Utah as they look to make a deep run into postseason play.

The Irish, who’ve been highly successful this season, have earned a No. 2 seed in the tournament and will be hoping to replicate the success of last year when they made a run to the Sweet Sixteen.

Notre Dame has been a powerhouse in women’s basketball for many years, and this year is no different. They boast an impressive 26-3 record and have won eight straight games heading into the tournament.

Led by All-American point guard Arike Ogunbowale, the Irish have the capability to make a deep run in the tournament. Ogunbowale has been a force to be reckoned with this season, averaging 21.1 points per contest to go with her 4.9 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game.

The Irish will face a tough test against the Thunderbirds, who come into the tournament with a 22-7 record and have won 11 of their last 12 games. They have been led by the dynamic duo of senior guard Rebecca Cardenas and junior guard Taylor May, who are both averaging more than 13 points per game.

The Thunderbirds have the ability to give the Irish a run for their money, and if they can limit Ogunbowale’s production, they may just be able to pull off the upset.

Notre Dame will need to be at their best if they want to get to the Sweet Sixteen and beyond. They will need to focus on playing team defense and limiting turnovers if they want to take down the Thunderbirds and move on to the next round.

The Irish have the talent and experience to make a deep run, and if they can put it all together, they will be a tough out for any team in the tournament.