NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Karen and Kevin Keyes Notre Dame women’s basketball head coach Muffet McGraw officially released the 2019-20 non-conference schedule on Tuesday. Of the 12 non-conference games slated, fans will witness the Irish clash with eight teams who made the 2019 NCAA Tournament, five of which were conference champions.
For the first time since the 2012-13 season, Notre Dame will open its season away from home, traveling to the Bronx on Nov. 5. There the Irish will take on Atlantic-10 champs Fordham.
The Irish then return home for four consecutive games inside Purcell Pavilion, starting Nov. 8 against Loyola Maryland. The home opener will also act as Natalie Achonwa’s Ring of Honor ceremony.
Storied Rivalries Continued
Same rivalry, new time, when Notre Dame hosts Tennessee for a Big Monday matchup on ESPN on November 11. The matchup will mark the 30th in the series, with the Irish taking eight of the last nine.
Then on Dec. 8, the Irish make the trek to Storrs, Connecticut, for their 51st encounter with the UConn Huskies. The two squads have split the last four games over the last two years, with the Huskies taking the regular season contests, but the Irish getting the last laugh in the 2018 and 2019 National Semifinals.
Irish vs the Big Ten
The Irish will battle three teams from the Big Ten conference this season, starting with Michigan State on Nov. 14. The Spartans will once again return to Purcell Pavilion, after dropping a 91-63 decision to the Irish in the second round of the 2019 NCAA Tournament.
Next, the Irish will travel up to Ann Arbor for a date with Michigan on Nov. 23. The Wolverines also advanced to the second round of last year’s NCAA Tournament.
Lastly, Notre Dame will host Minnesota on Dec. 4, as part of the ACC/B1G Challenge.
Cancun Challenge
It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving unless the Irish were competing in a three-game tournament. This year, Notre Dame heads south of the border for the Cancun Challenge held at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya. The Irish will play a game each day from Nov. 28-30, starting with ASUN champion Florida Gulf Coast, followed by Summit League Champion and NCAA Sweet 16 qualifier South Dakota State. The Irish conclude the trip with South Florida.
Last But Certainly Not Least
Other non-conference contests include home bouts with Toledo on Nov. 20 and Big East champions DePaul on Dec. 11. In addition, Notre Dame will host an exhibition game against the University of Guelph right before the Christmas break on Dec. 21.
— ND —