June 11, 2018
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – With another season, another ACC/B1G Challenge awaits. The two respective league offices announced the 2018 season matchups on Monday, pitting the University of Notre Dame women’s basketball team against Iowa on Thursday, Nov. 29, inside Purcell Pavilion.
Last year, the Fighting Irish tallied an 83-63 win over No. 22 Michigan in Ann Arbor, moving to 5-0 all-time in the ACC/B1G Challenge. Previous years include victories over No. 10 Penn State, No. 15 Maryland, No. 10 Ohio State and Iowa, 73-58, in Iowa City in 2016.
The matchup between the Irish and the Hawkeyes from two seasons ago was just the third between the two in program history. Notre Dame has won all three contests, with all three taking place in Iowa City.
Overall, the ACC owns eight challenge titles and boasts an 81-55 record in challenge games since its inception in 2007. In addition, the ACC has won at least six games in every challenge.
A year ago, ACC women’s basketball teams combined for a record 10 wins over the Big Ten to win the 2017 ACC/B1G Challenge, 10-4. The outright title was the eighth overall for the ACC.
The ACC’s success in the Challenge was parlayed throughout the 2017-18 season as the conference matched a league record with eight teams selected to the NCAA Championship.
All 14 Big Ten teams and 14 of the 15 ACC teams will participate in the 2018 Challenge. This year’s event will be played in a two-day format beginning on Wednesday, Nov. 28, with times and television coverage to be announced at a later date.
— ND —