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While Billy Schrauth's playing seasons were marked by a couple of serious injuries, his time on the field showed why he could be a serviceable piece to an NFL offensive line. Billy Schrauth is not considered to be anywhere near one of the top offensive line prospects, but he does possess the capability to be a solid player with his strong pass protection and some work to do in the run game. As a guard, Schrauth could come in and immediately offer some decent depth for any team that drafts him, which is valuable for a projected day-three pick. With that said, how far he waits to hear his name will likely come down to his injury history and if teams think his weaknesses are fixable. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! During his time in South Bend, Schrauth found playing time early as a freshman. In mostly a backup role, Schrauth was still able to log valuable minutes early in his career. Just one year later, Schrauth earned his way into the starting lineup on a team that played for a National Championship in 2024. While he did finish the season, he did miss a chunk of the season as the result of a sprained ankle he suffered in a blowout against Purdue. Even with the missed time, Schrauth proved he was a high-level starter for a great team. In 2025, he continued to show off his tough, rugged, and consistent play style, as Notre Dame's offensive line routinely mauled opposing defenses. In the offensive line's best game against USC, Schrauth's toughness was put to the ultimate test when he suffered a knee sprain. Despite the sprain, Schrauth finished the game, but he would be sidelined for multiple games. Although his season did not go the way he probably expected, it was another data point for the consistency of Schrauth's game. Like any prospect, there are highs and lows to Schrauth's playstyle and skillset. Despite his lighter frame for a guard in the NFL, he does possess excellent strength. Throughout his years in college, he showed time and time again that if he gets his hands on a defender, he can move them. The problem is, he does not always use his hands well, which is something NFL teams will have to correct. The biggest strength of his game is his excellent pass protection. In 2025, he did not allow a single sack, which will be very attractive to any NFL team. In the NFL, it is becoming increasingly more common for pass-rushers to slide inside to generate pressure from the interior. In that case, Schrauth could be a valuable asset. To go along with his pass-blocking, Schrauth also has great versatility and football IQ. At Notre Dame, he played at both left and right guard, displaying his ability to adapt and provide depth at multiple positions. This is a direct result of his high football IQ. Schrauth shows a true understanding of blocking schemes, situational football, and as a team captain, pre-snap communication. When looking at his weaknesses, a lot of it revolves around his footwork and agility, mainly in the run game. Although strong, he can sometimes struggle to change direction and set his feet to make the correct block. NFL teams will have to judge if that is a technique or athleticism concern. If it is technique, teams can likely fix that problem. If it is athleticism, then there may be cause for more concern regarding Schrauth's overall quickness. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Best Fits Round 4, Pick 126: Buffalo Bills The Bills would be the perfect fit for Schrauth. Picking right in the range of his projection, the Bills are in some need of guard depth. While not needing a day-one starter, they do have holes in their depth chart that Schrauth could fill, offering not only depth, but also a player with some high-floor potential. The Bills are towards the top of the league in pass attempts per game, meaning their offensive line is often in pass-protection. This bodes well for Schrauth, as pass-blocking is his biggest strength as a guard. Josh Allen is an MVP type of player but was beaten up a lot last year. It is time for the Bills to continue to sure up ways to protect him. Round 4, Pick 101: Tennessee Titans Much like the Bills, the Titans are also in some need of guard depth. Last season, the Titans ranked 24th in offensive line PFF grades. As one of the bottom units in league in that category, it is crucial the Titans continue to rebuild their line. With their rookie QB Cam Ward, there is some new optimism in Nashville that they have a bright future. With that bright future, they also must protect him, which they did not do a very good job of in 2025. With Schrauth's strengths, he could be a solid player for them as a depth piece. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here  to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list  and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1  Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

As a two year starter at Notre Dame, Wagner became a team captain and a staple of the Notre Dame offensive line. While he thrived at with the Irish, he is only considered to be a late-round pick, but with huge upside. While right tackles are valuable in the NFL, Wagner is not considered to be anywhere near the top of that list in this draft. There is a considerable amount of top-end talent at the position, but Wagner also does not possess the talent or tape to warrant a pick in the early rounds. With that being true, Wagner does have an athletic frame with long arms and a quick burst. All of that together, combined with the fact that he has only played for two seasons, may project to some interesting upside for a player like Aamil Wagner. That puts him in a spot where a team could take him as a depth piece with the hopes that he can turn into a role player or even a starter. That may be a long shot, but it is what Wagner will be looking to pull off over the course of his career. Wagner arrived to Notre Dame as a four-star prospect that did not see any time during his freshman season. From there, he served as a reserve during his redshirt freshman season, mainly playing in garbage time during Notre Dame blowouts. As sophomore, Wagner finally cracked the starting lineup, becoming an integral part of an offensive line that bullied their way to the National Championship game. Following that season, Wagner was voted a team captain as a junior. The season got off to a bit of a rough start against Miami. In that game, Wagner was dominated by Miami's powerful pass-rushing tandem of Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor. Yes, they are both going to be first rounders, but Wagner struggled against the best competition he saw all season. From there, Wagner largely controlled the rest of the season, but he continued to show where his game still needed improvement. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Standing at 6'6", Wagner has great size for the position. With that stature, he has long arms that he often uses well to keep pass-rushers at a distance. He does this with active and fast hands that he uses to redirect defenders, making him a solid pass-protector. With that length, Wagner also has a quick first-step off the line of scrimmage to kick out to his defender. Combining all of this, it is easy to see why there is some potential that he could become a serviceable pass-blocker in the NFL. While he is tall, Wagner is also light for his size, making strength a concern. That concern was amplified during the NFL combine, where he only posted a 21 on the bench press. This area of weakness usually presents itself when Wagner is run-blocking. He sometimes struggles to stay engaged in his block and move his defender. Besides the strength, Wagner also exhibits some room to grow with his footwork and ability to engage moving targets. Against Miami, it was evident that Wagner struggled to stay in front of the type of player he will see every Sunday in the NFL. In that game, Bain Jr. was able to beat Wagner consistently with bull rushes, swim moves, and speed getting to the outside. Wagner simply could not stay in front of Bain Jr. and Mesidor. With Wagner, these are all the reasons he most likely won't hear his name called until the last day of the draft. It is his positives that will get him drafted and why there is some hope that Wagner is still a raw prospect and has a lot of untapped potential. One thing that should not go unsaid is his intelligence. People around Notre Dame constantly spoke to the type of man and student Wagner was at Notre Dame. That means Wagner may be able to become a fast learner in the NFL, or at the very least, be an excellent locker room presence. Best Fit Round 6, Pick 192: New York Giants The New York Giants have largely been a disaster for the better part of a decade. Last season, they were finally able to put together a somewhat functional offensive line, but they still have some long term needs at right tackle. In free agency, the Giants were able to ink out a three-year deal to bring back their starting right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor. Eluemunor was a huge part in the Giants' offensive line improvements last season, but that three-year deal will likely be the last contract he signs with the Giants. This means that down the road, the Giants will be looking for a replacement at the position. While it is bold to assume Wagner is the successor to Eluemunor, it is not bold to think that the Giants could use a late-round pick to take a chance on a player with upside at the position. At its worst, they would only be burning a sixth round pick. At its best, the Giants draft Wagner, give him the time he needs to develop, and then he becomes a beneficial player for the Giants in the future. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here  to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list  and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1  Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Another chapter of the Notre Dame - UConn rivalry was added on Sunday afternoon when the Huskies ended the Irish’s March run with a 70-52 thumping at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth in an Elite Eight matchup. Photo via Notre Dame Athletics Notre Dame (25-10) and UConn (37-0) met during a regular season matchup on January 19th in Storrs that saw the Huskies obliterate a short-handed Irish squad 85-47. In this first matchup, the Irish were without KK Bransford and utilizing a six-player rotation while Malaya Cowles picked up two first-quarter fouls, creating early pressure on an already depleted Notre Dame roster.  Since that meeting, the Irish have been healthier and playing better basketball. Two reasons Notre Dame earned a six-seed and has advanced to the Elite Eight. Elsewhere, the next highest remaining seed is a three, a testament to Head Coach Niele Ivey and her staff’s abilities. To reach the Elite Eight, the Irish defeated 11-seed Fairfield before pulling off upsets against three-seed Ohio State and two-seed Vanderbilt. This game marks Notre Dame’s first trip to the Elite Eight since 2019, when the Irish reached the National Championship, and it is the first under HC Ivey’s tenure.  On the other hand, UConn has been the most dominant team in the country all season long, and they have not slowed down. The Big East Regular Season and Tournament Champions earned the overall number one seed in the NCAA Tournament and are looking to complete a perfect 40-0 season. They have been on the right track, entering the Elite Eight with dominant wins over 16-seed UTSA, nine-seed Syracuse, and four-seed UNC, all by at least 21 points. In addition to a perfect season, the Huskies are also seeking to repeat as NCAA Tournament Champions. UConn proved its star power and depth are no joke on Sunday. Strong performances from Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd can be expected, as the superstar duo combined for 34 points on 11-24 shooting from the field. Blanca Quinonez’s bench performance is what put the Huskies over the top, though. The freshman from Ecuador tallied 20 points, including four threes, eight rebounds, three assists, and a steal in 30 minutes played off the bench. Hidalgo did all she could for the Irish, recording 22 points and 11 rebounds as UConn held her to 7-19 shooting from the field with five turnovers. No other Notre Dame player reached double-digit scoring as the Irish shot 39.1% from the field and an unimpressive 12-19 from the free throw line. Additionally, the Irish’s 18 made field goals equaled their 18 offensive turnovers, a formula that will never lead to success. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! The first quarter was a Quinonez showcase as the UConn sixth-man out-scored Notre Dame 12-11 in just six minutes played. The Irish were able to keep it within one possession for nearly the first six minutes of the game until a 6-0 Huskies run pushed their lead to 10-5 with 4:04 on the clock. Cowles was able to respond with a hookshot for the Irish, but Quinonez responded with a three to extend UConn’s lead to 13-7 with 2:57 left in the quarter. UConn went on to close the quarter on a 7-4 stretch, including an easy Quinonez layup in the final seconds off a turnover from Hidalgo that made it a 20-11 game after one. Cassandre Prosper and Cowles led Notre Dame’s first-quarter efforts with four points apiece as the Irish struggled to find an answer for Quinonez. Notre Dame came out strong defensively to open the second quarter, and Hidalgo was able to get her offense going after a 0-4 showing in the first frame. The Irish held the Huskies scoreless for the first 3:35 as Hidalgo picked up four points and a steal, helping cut their deficit to 20-15 with 6:41 on the clock. Hidalgo scored the first nine Irish points of the quarter, with a three making it a 24-20 game with 4:46 left in the half. Following Hidalgo’s three, UConn responded with a 6-0 run led by Quinonez and Strong that pushed the Huskies' lead to 30-20 with 2:56 remaining in the quarter. Notre Dame had a strong finish, featuring a 5-0 stretch with a three-pointer from Bransford, wiped away as UConn was able to hit another last-second shot off an Irish turnover. Hidalgo’s nine points paced the Irish offense as Notre Dame was able to out-score UConn 14-12 in the second quarter. However, the Irish still trailed 32-25 at the half as they entered the break with the same amount of field goals made as turnovers lost (ten). Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle UConn came out of the half strong, going on a quick 6-1 run to open the third quarter and extending their lead to 38-26 just 1:17 into the frame. After Hidalgo hit a pair of free throws and a pull-up jumper on back-to-back possessions, both sides went scoreless for 4:01 as UConn held a 38-30 advantage. The Huskies were able to break the drought with easy points off a Hidalgo turnover that pushed UConn’s lead to ten with 3:51 on the clock. Hidalgo was able to respond with a tough and-one layup where she buried the free throw to make it a 40-33 game with 2:42 left in the quarter. UConn was able to close the quarter on a 7-3 run, with a Vanessa de Jesus three-pointer bailing the Irish with 26 seconds remaining, that sent the Huskies into the final frame with a 47-36 lead. Hidalgo’s eight points led an Irish offense that only scored 11 in the quarter. The Irish saw their offensive struggles continue, converting just 3-9 shots from the field and adding another five turnovers to their total in this quarter.  Both sides went back and forth to open the final quarter with UConn opening the frame on a slight 7-6 stretch in the first 2:51 that made it a 54-42 contest. The Huskies then opened up the game, going on a 9-2 run featuring two threes from Quinonez that extended UConn’s advantage to 63-44 with 5:43 on the clock. Notre Dame was able to respond with a 6-2 run led by Hidalgo that cut the Irish deficit to 65-50 with 3:57 left in the quarter. Notably, Prosper fouled out at the 4:23 mark. Needing to build on this late-game run, the Irish unfortunately went scoreless for a 2:14 stretch that saw UConn build their lead to 68-50. A pair of traded free throws sealed the Irish’s fate, sending Notre Dame back to South Bend with a 70-52 defeat at the hands of the number one team in the country. Iyana Moore led the Irish offense with seven fourth-quarter points as Notre Dame consistently struggled to find production outside of Hidalgo on Sunday.  With Notre Dame’s season officially concluded, UConn’s bid to repeat as NCAA Tournament Champions remains alive. The Huskies will take on the winner of South Carolina/TCU on April 3rd in this season’s edition of the Final Four in Phoenix. Irish Stars Hannah Hidalgo: 22 points (broke ACC single-season scoring record) , 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 40 minutes played  Key Team Stats Field Goal Percentage: UConn (44%)  - ND (39%)   Three Point Percentage: UConn (35%)  - ND (33%) Free Throw Percentage: UConn (80%)  - ND (63%) Turnovers: ND (18) - UConn (14) Points off Turnovers: UConn (19) - ND (7) Rebounds: UConn (35) - ND (29) Bench Points: UConn (32) - ND (7) Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here  to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok Follow @Brenden_Duffy  on X Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list  and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1  Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

For the first time since 2019, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Women’s Basketball team has advanced to the Elite Eight. All that stands in the way of the Fighting Irish and a trip to the Final Four in Phoenix is the juggernaut University of Connecticut (UConn) Huskies. The two former Big East rivals played this season on January 19, 2026. In that game, UConn outclassed the Irish, beating them 85-47 (the largest in the series). This is also the eighth time they have squared off in the NCAA Tournament (the Irish hold a 5-2 record in the tournament). Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Notre Dame faced one of the best offensive teams and top scores in the country in the Sweet Sixteen, the Vanderbilt Commodores, and Sophomore Guard Mikayla Blakes. The Irish held the Commodores to 35 percent shooting for the game and Blakes to one of her worst shooting performances of the season (7-26 from the field). Since KK Bransford returned from injury, Notre Dame has been better defensively. Of course, this is spurred on by Junior Guard Hannah Hidalgo. Hidalgo was a superstar against Vanderbilt, dropping a triple-double, scoring 31 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 steals. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! UConn Huskies: What can be said about the defending National Champions that isn’t known? They are on a 53-game winning streak, with an average margin of victory of nearly 38 points. As dominant as that sounds, they have been even more dominant in the tournament. They are by far the most complete team in the nation, led by Senior Guard Azzi Fudd, who scores 17.6 Points Per Game (PPG), and Sophomore Forward Sarah Strong, who leads the team with 18.4 PPG. She also leads the team in Rebounds (7.5 per game), Steals (3.3 per game), and blocks (1.6 per game). Depth is a major asset for them as well; they have 10 players who have played in at least 30 games this season. Notre Dame Keys to Victory: If UConn has a weakness, it is that they tend to start slowly. They did so against North Carolina in the Sweet Sixteen, except North Carolina could not capitalize fully on it. Notre Dame can provide defensive pressure on guards Fudd and KK Arnold. If they can do that and force UConn to rely on their frontcourt, where they lack some depth, the Irish would be able to make this a game played to their strengths. They will need contributions from everyone, but Hidalgo must have a game like the one against Vanderbilt. Simply put, she must take over and do it throughout most of the game. UConn Keys to Victory: As great as the Huskies are offensively, they are that much better defensively. They hold opponents to a paltry 50.1 PPG. They force mistakes (forcing 15.7 steals per game), crash the glass (averaging 37.8 rebounds per game), and they take away what you want to do. First and foremost, UConn is taking away Hidalgo. They will more than likely utilize a  game plan to neutralize her. They will do this by doubling her at half court and trapping her. They will also try to force Notre Dame to be a jump shooting team to avoid their frontcourt getting into foul trouble (a spot where they do not have depth). Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Prediction: Can Hidalgo deliver one of the greatest performances of her career, and in turn, Notre Dame pull off one of the biggest upsets in NCAA Tournament history? ESPN Predictor gives the Irish a minuscule 5.7 percent chance of victory. I do think Notre Dame can force a slow start out of UConn; the issue is, can they maintain it for 40 minutes? The Irish have vastly improved since the last meeting; I just feel this is too steep a hill to climb. I suspect Hidalgo will have a good game, but not the legendary performance Notre Dame would need to pull off this upset. UConn is too deep and has too many ways to win this game. Final Score: Notre Dame 51, UConn 68 Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here  to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list  and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1  Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Notre Dame continues to bust brackets. This time, the Irish defeated Vanderbilt 67-64 in Friday afternoon’s NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 matchup at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. Photo via Notre Dame Athletics Head Coach Niele Ivey and the Irish are no strangers to the Sweet 16, with this year’s visit marking their fifth-consecutive trip to this round. Six-seed Notre Dame (24-10; 14-7) earned their spot in this round after defeating Fairfield and upsetting Ohio State in Columbus. On the other side, the two-seed Vanderbilt Commodores (29-4; 13-4) are amidst their third-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance following a nine-year postseason drought. The Commodores finished second in the SEC’s regular season standings before falling in an upset to Ole Miss in the conference’s quarterfinal round of the tournament. They earned their spot in the Sweet 16 with dominant victories over High Point and Illinois in Nashville. After forgettable performances in her previous two Sweet 16 appearances, Hannah Hidalgo made sure this year was different. The Irish superstar nearly had a quadruple-double, recording 31 points, 11 rebounds, 10 steals, and seven assists in a heroic effort. As a team, Notre Dame was able to overcome a 1-17 day from three-point land with gritty defense. The Irish held Vanderbilt to 35% shooting from the field and forced 23 turnovers, 16 of which came in the first half. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Hidalgo began a defensive-minded first quarter with a steal leading to a layup for the Irish star. Vanderbilt was able to respond with a 5-0 stretch to go up 5-2 2:30 into the game. A short jumper from Cassandre Prosper got the Irish rolling on both sides of the ball, kickstarting an 11-0 run featuring five different scorers that put the six-seed on top 13-5 with 2:13 left in the quarter. A pair of free throws from the SEC Player of the Year, Mikayla Blakes, stopped a 5:28 scoring drought for the Commodores, but Hidalgo responded right away with a circus-type layup that somehow found the net. Vanderbilt was able to close the last minute on a 4-0 stretch, including a short second-chance jumper in the final seconds, that sent the Irish to the bench with a 15-11 lead after one. Hidalgo led the Irish with six points on 3-5 shooting from the field and four steals, breaking the DI NCAA single-season steals record. Combined, the Irish secured six steals and a block as Vanderbilt struggled offensively, shooting 2-12 from the field and turning the ball over 10 times in the quarter. The Irish carried a strong first quarter into the start of the second, beginning the frame on an 8-0 run with Hidalgo adding a quick four points and three steals. Notre Dame held Vanderbilt scoreless for the first 4:05 of the quarter, ballooning their lead to 23-11 with 6:12 on the clock. Blakes got the Commodores on the board with a quick jumper, but Hidalgo was able to respond with a short jumper of her own to make it a 25-13 game with 5:26 left in the quarter. After Hidalgo’s second foul sent the game to a media timeout, the Commodores came out of the short break on fire, going on a 12-2 run with Aubrey Galvan hitting two three-pointers during the stretch as Vanderbilt cut their deficit to 27-25 with just over two minutes left in the half. A couple of turnovers and fouls from both sides led to the Irish ending the quarter on a 4-1 run to enter halftime with a 31-26 lead. Hidalgo, as usual, did the heavy-lifting in the second, tallying 10 points on 5-9 shooting from the field and three steals, bringing her halftime totals to 16 points and seven steals. Again, the Irish did a relatively good job shutting down the Commodores' offense, forcing them to shoot just 4-14 from the field in the second quarter. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle The Irish started the second half with a 4-0 stretch, which was countered instantly with a 5-0 stretch from the Commodores, capped by a three-pointer that cut Vanderbilt’s deficit to 35-31 1:40 into the third. From 7:23 to 5:55, both offenses caught fire in a bottle as Notre Dame out-scored the Commodores 8-5 during this stretch with four different Irish scorers getting involved as they extended their lead to 43-36. After a short drought, a Hidalgo steal led to a Malaya Cowles layup, but that was answered right away by a Vanderbilt layup. Hidalgo was then able to finish a tough and-one layup and knock down the free throw to push Notre Dame’s lead to ten, 48-38, with 2:56 on the clock. Vanderbilt was able to close the quarter on a 6-2 run with Galvan’s four points leading the Commodores as they trailed 50-44 heading into the final frame. Once again, Hidalgo led the way for Notre Dame as she added seven points, four assists, and two steals in the third.  After Hidalgo got her driving layup to fall to open the fourth, Vanderbilt went on a 5-0 run led by Blakes that made it a one-possession game, 52-49, 1:23 into the quarter. Following a pair of traded baskets, Vanessa de Jesus hit a huge three for the Irish to extend their lead to 57-51 with 7:41 on the clock. However, the Commodores did not go away at all and went on a 6-0 run to tie the game at 57, with Blakes converting an and-one layup followed by a Galvan three, with 5:52 left in the game. Hidalgo was able to halt the opposition’s run with a layup to put the Irish back on top by two; however, a Vanderbilt block led to an easy fast-break opportunity for the Commodores as they tied the game back up at 59 with 4:36 to play. After another slight offensive dry spell, de Jesus picked up her fifth and final foul, sending Blakes to the free-throw line where she converted one of two tries to put Vanderbilt up one with 2:16 left. Iyana Moore put the Irish right back in front after she buried a mid-range shot to put them up 61-60 on the next possession. However, Blakes came down and hit a jumper of her own to give Vanderbilt a 62-61 advantage with 1:48 remaining. Prosper was able to draw a foul with 1:28 on the clock, but only converted one of her two free throws, tying the game at 62. On Vanderbilt’s next possession, Hidalgo picked up another steal off a bad Commodores pass, which led to an easy basket on the other end, putting the Irish up 64-62 with 1:06 left. Hidalgo then picked up her fourth foul as she sent Galvan to the line where she hit both of her free throws to tie the game at 64 with 56 seconds on the clock. After a Notre Dame timeout, Prosper came up with the ultra-clutch second-chance bucket following a Hidalgo miss to put the Irish back up 66-64 with 22 seconds left. Notre Dame forced Blakes into a lost-ball turnover, and that essentially sealed the game, with Vanderbilt needing to foul to extend the contest. Prosper went to the line with 14 seconds left and again went one of two from the charity stripe, extending the Irish lead to 67-64 but still allowing Vanderbilt a chance to tie. The Irish were able to stave off the Commodores as they missed two potential game-tying threes, securing their 67-64 victory. Hidalgo’s team-high eight points were just enough to keep Notre Dame dancing. Notre Dame will play the winner of UConn/North Carolina in the Elite Eight on March 29 in Fort Worth. Irish Stars Hannah Hidalgo: 31 points (14-25 FGs, 3-3 FTs) , 11 rebounds, 7 assists, 10 steals (broke NCAA single-season and NCAA single-Tournament record) , 1 block, +5, 39 minutes played Cassandre Prosper: 15 points, 5 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal, +7, 34 minutes played Key Team Stats Field Goal Percentage: ND (42%)  - VAN (35%)   Three Point Percentage: VAN (28%)  - ND (6%) Free Throw Percentage: VAN (84%)  - ND (77%) Turnovers: VAN (23) - ND (13) Points off Turnovers: ND (23) - VAN (4) Rebounds: VAN (44) - ND (30) Points in the Paint: ND (54) - VAN (20) Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here  to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok Follow @Brenden_Duffy  on X Liked this story? 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For the fifth consecutive year, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Women’s Basketball Team has made it to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament. Standing in the way of their first Elite Eight appearance since 2019 (and the first under Head Coach Niele Ivey) is a well-rounded and dangerous Vanderbilt Commodores squad. Notre Dame Fighting Irish: The Irish upset the region's three-seed, the Ohio State Buckeyes, on Monday afternoon. Impressive was the fact that it was on the Ohio State campus. Even more impressive was the performance by Junior Guard Hannah Hidalgo with 26 points, 13 rebounds, and eight steals. Over the first two games of the tournament, Hidalgo has averaged a double-double with 24.5 Points Per Game (PPG) and 11 Rebounds Per Game (RPG). She has also chipped in with eight steals per game (setting a new single-game tournament record for the Irish in the first round against Farfield).  Senior Guard Cassandre Prosper continued her strong contributions with 17 points against the Buckeyes. Vanderbilt Commodores: Vanderbilt is led by Sophomore Guard Mikayla Blakes (recently named one of four finalists for the Naismith Women’s Player of the Year Award), who leads the nation in scoring, averaging 27 PPG while shooting a touch over 46 percent from the field. She is not alone in the backcourt. Freshman Guard Aubrey Galvan (averaging 13.2 PPG) provides the Commodores with one of the best backcourts in the country. This allows them to average an eye-raising 84.9 PPG (good for eighth nationally). They play at a frantic pace on both ends of the floor, which allows them to get out in transition and disrupt their opponents' game plan. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Notre Dame Keys to Victory: Playing a team with four players who average double-digit points per game is going to be a difficult task for the Irish. Couple that with the dynamic pace Vanderbilt plays at, and one would think that the Irish would be at a significant disadvantage. However, Teams that can disrupt the high-powered guard tandem of the Commodores with strong defensive guard play and keep it a half-court game have had great success against them. This plays right into the Irish's hands, with Hidalgo and Prosper being very active on the defensive end and the ability to slow the game down because of this. If the Irish can do this against the potent Commodores, they have more than a puncher's chance. Vanderbilt Keys to Victory: The Commodores have thrived this season with a pick-your-poison philosophy. Does a team try to limit Blakes, or do they take away her supporting cast? That is going to be a decision that they are going to want to impose on the Irish. By doing this, they will spread Notre Dame out and make them defend one-on-one and not rely on the defensive backcourt to control the game. Eventually, this would force a thin Irish lineup to play at the up-tempo pace Vanderbilt wants, and that would be a death sentence in hopes of Notre Dame advancing. Prediction: Notre Dame has been on a roll since a loss to Virginia over a month ago. A key to that has been others finding ways to contribute and taking pressure off of Hidalgo; this makes her able to play freer, and the stats show what this can do for the Irish. Vanderbilt presents the very challenges that have been kryptonite for Notre Dame this season. However, Hidalgo is playing at another level, and her supporting cast has found ways to be there when they are needed most. I think the Irish can do just enough defensively to shut down the explosive backcourt of the Commodores. Give me the Irish in another upset. Final Score: Notre Dame 79, Vanderbilt 75 Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here  to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list  and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1  Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

“Often those who criticise others reveal what they themselves lack.”- Shannon Adler. Notre Dame Athletics draws intense attention in college sports. For fans, the history and expectation of excellence fuel loyalty; for detractors, they provide frequent criticism. Words like 'irrelevant' and 'overrated' can leave wounds that last for decades. On December 7th 2025, the Notre Dame Football Team declined an invitation to presumably play the Brigham Young Cougars (BYU) in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. This decision was made after Notre Dame was left out of the College Football Playoff, despite being ranked in the top 10 week after week, until the final week, when they were bumped down two spots, and a team that lost in embarrassing fashion less than 24 hours earlier (the Alabama Crimson Tide) stayed in their recent spot of nine. When this occurred, Notre Dame made a significant impact in the sports world. Analysts, including Stephen A. Smith, argued Notre Dame should join a conference and criticized the University's response. Other commentators echoed these views, claiming the decision could affect the game. Fast forward to March 15th 2026, Selection Sunday. This grand day is when the participants for both the men’s and women’s NCAA Division One Basketball tournaments are announced. Every year, there are snubs and those left out that feel they should have been included; this year was no exception. However, four teams took it a step further. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Indiana, Belmont, San Diego State, and Florida State declined invitations to the National Invitational Tournament (NIT), which is for the next 32 teams not selected for the NCAA Tournament. In past years, the NIT was once even more significant than the NCAA Tournament. Notre Dame supporters expected critics to react to these teams as they did to Notre Dame's decision, anticipating outcries of selfishness or brand attacks aimed at these schools for opting out, just as Notre Dame experienced. Over a week has passed, yet there is still no hint of public criticism toward these teams. This contrasts sharply with the strong reaction Notre Dame received. All things being equal, being invited to NIT and then being declined is nothing new. They have been happening for as long as I can remember. The table below lists the metrics the Selection Committee uses to determine which teams advance to the tournament. There are some metrics, such as Indiana's 38th-ranked Strength of Schedule (SOS), that would make you raise an eyebrow. Then it is diminished by their 218th-ranked out-of-conference SOS (out of 362 teams). With all four of these teams, the minuses outweigh the pluses. RESUMES FOR THE FOUR TEAMS THAT DECLINED NIT INVITES. COURTESY OF BRACKETOLOGISTS.COM Also, there were many bid stealers this year. These are teams that would not make the tournament but won their conference tournament, which earns them an automatic bid. Couple that with Miami of Ohio being 31-1 and not winning their conference tournament with a suspect resume, and this created an unheralded situation for the committee. Personally, I did not admonish these teams for sitting out because, at the end of the day, it is their choice. Just as it was for the Notre Dame Football team. I will also say I didn’t see any prominent Irish supporters attack them or question their character either. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle The fact is, Notre Dame is not irrelevant; they are not overrated. As a matter of fact, they are needed. These individuals, including ESPN, Stephen A. Smith, Dan Dakich, ON3, Pat Forde, and the countless social media pundits, need Notre Dame to maintain their own relevance. They know that the moment they say those two words, they get more clicks, views, and conversations. Notre Dame bears the weight of high expectations in college sports. This also attracts prominent critics, ready to offer their opinions. What they do not realize is that Notre Dame is built to withstand them. Bullets weakened with hypocrisy; disingenuous statements merely make flesh wounds, and that is what has been exposed over the past week. All detractors of Notre Dame are just chasing clout, attempting to tarnish the Golden Dome we hold dear. And using it to prop up their own paper popularity. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here  to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list  and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1  Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Notre Dame is still dancing, this time after upsetting Ohio State 83-73 in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament on Monday afternoon at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus. Photo via Notre Dame Athletics Two teams with similar paths this season, Ohio State (27-7; 13-5) finished fifth in the Big Ten’s regular season standings before being bounced by eventual champion, UCLA, in the conference tournament’s semifinal; sound familiar? The three-seeded Buckeyes advanced to their fifth-straight consecutive NCAA Tournament Second Round appearance after defeating 14-seed Howard 75-54 in the First Round. As for Notre Dame, the six-seeded Irish bested 11-seed Fairfield 79-60 in their First Round matchup.  On Monday, the Irish were able to counter a 41-point outing from AP Second Team All-American Jaloni Cambridge with five different scorers reaching double digits. Hannah Hidalgo led the way for the Irish with 26 points as she surpassed Arike Ogunbowale for most points in a single season by a Notre Dame player. A gritty second quarter where the Irish forced five turnovers and shot 9-9 from the free throw line proved to be huge after starting the game down 11-0 on the scoreboard. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Ohio State was firing on all cylinders early in a quick-paced first quarter, taking an instant 11-0 lead just two minutes into the game, with Cambridge scoring seven in a perfect start for the Buckeyes. Iyana Moore knocked down a pair of threes to put the Irish on the scoreboard, and then a Hidalgo steal led to an easy basket for Cassandre Prosper that cut their deficit down to five, 13-8, with 5:48 on the clock. Gisela Sanchez was able to finish a tough basket in the paint before Hidalgo turned another steal into two points as she finished off her own takeaway, reducing the Buckeyes' lead to 15-12 with 4:32 left in the quarter. After Ohio State scored on back-to-back possessions to push their lead to seven, Hidalgo and KK Bransford (OSU tipped her missed shot into their own basket)  responded with back-to-back scores of their own as the Buckeyes maintained the three-point advantage with 2:10 remaining. The Buckeyes hit a three, but it was Hidalgo and Bransford who closed the quarter with a pair of baskets, the latter happening with about five seconds to play, that put the Irish down just 22-20 after one. Hidalgo tallied three steals to go along with six points in the first. Moore tied the star PG for a team-high six points on 2-4 shooting from deep to open the game.   After Cambridge knocked down a two-point jumper, the Irish surged on an 8-0 run where they took their first lead of the game, holding a 28-24 advantage just under three minutes into the quarter. Cambridge and Prosper traded a pair of short jumpers before Vanessa de Jesus drew a big three-point shot foul call and nailed all three free throws to extend Notre Dame’s lead to 33-26 with 4:30 on the clock. The Buckeyes were able to respond with a 5-0 burst capped with a converted and-one layup that made it a 33-31 game with 3:46 left in the half. After a couple of more traded baskets, the Irish were able to close the quarter on a 6-0 run with Hidalgo and de Jesus both knocking down a pair of free throws as the Buckeyes limped to the halftime buzzer down 43-35. De Jesus led the Irish’s efforts in the second, notching a team-high seven points and a steal. Prosper also contributed six points on 2-2 shooting from the field and added a steal as well. The Irish shot a perfect 9-9 from the charity stripe in the second quarter to help build their halftime edge. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Notre Dame came out of the half still carrying their momentum from the second quarter, beginning the third on a 7-2 run, kick-started by a de Jesus three, that put the Irish ahead by 13, 50-37, just under two minutes into the frame. The Buckeyes put together their response in the form of a 10-0 stretch, featuring five points from Cambridge, to cut their deficit to 50-47 with 4:53 on the clock. After a 3:40 period where the Irish went scoreless, Prosper and Hidalgo were able to convert on back-to-back possessions that pushed their lead to 54-47 with 3:50 left in the quarter. Cambridge responded for the Buckeyes with a 6-0 run by herself that brought the home team within one, 54-53, with 2:42 remaining. The Irish were able to close the last two minutes of the third on a 4-1 run, sending them into the final quarter with a 58-54 advantage. Hidalgo led the Irish with six points and five rebounds in the third quarter; however, three personal fouls in the frame raised some late-game caution. The Irish shut down the Buckeyes’ offense in the final quarter, forcing multiple turnovers leading to Notre Dame points. They opened the frame on an 8-2 stretch, featuring two steals from Hidalgo and a pair of threes from Moore and De Jesus, that extended their lead to 66-56 with 7:16 to play. Ohio State was able to knock down a pair of free throws that cut the Irish lead back down to single digits, but Hidalgo buried a three in response that put the Irish up 69-58 with 4:35 on the clock. After picking up her fourth foul, ‘Grand Theft’ Hidalgo disregarded caution and picked up her seventh steal of the game on the very next play. After Hidalgo and Cambridge traded free throws, Prosper put the nail in the coffin when she converted an and-one off a tough layup that extended the Irish lead to 73-59 with 2:40 left. On the next possession, Hidalgo picked off Cambridge for her eighth steal and nailed both free throws after being intentionally fouled. Following a slew of free throws, which pushed the Irish lead to 18 with 41 seconds remaining, Cambridge closed the game with eight straight points as the Buckeyes' season came to an end. Hidalgo’s 10 points and 4 steals in the final quarter were enough to help the Irish punch their ticket to the Sweet 16 with an 83-73 upset victory. Notre Dame awaits the winner of Vanderbilt/Illinois as the Irish are set to make their fifth consecutive Sweet 16 appearance on March 27th in Fort Worth. Irish Stars Hannah Hidalgo : 26 points (sets single-season program record), 13 rebounds (career high) , 2 assists, 8 steals, +18, 38 minutes played Vanessa de Jesus : 15 points (3-6 FGs, 2-4 3FGs, 7-7 FTs) , 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, +5, 35 minutes played Cassandre Prosper : 13 points (5-7 FGs), 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 1 steal, +2, 37 minutes played Iyana Moore : 13 points (4-8 FGs, 3-7 3FGs, 2-2 FTs), 2 steals, +4, 29 minutes played KK Bransford : 10 points (4-8 FGs, 2-2 FTs), 6 rebounds, 3 assists, +6, 21 minutes played Key Team Stats Field Goal Percentage: OSU (46%)  - ND (44%)   Three Point Percentage: OSU (47%)  - ND (40%) Free Throw Percentage: ND (88%)  - OSU (82%) Turnovers: OSU (21) - ND (15) Rebounds: ND (36) - OSU (31) Bench Points: ND (12) - OSU (2) Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here  to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok Follow @Brenden_Duffy  on X Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list  and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1  Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

We are in the throes of madness! The Women’s Division 1 NCAA Basketball Tournament is underway and a consistent staple; the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have moved onto the round of 32 by defeating Fairfield 79-60 behind all-world junior Hannah Hidalgo’s near quadruple double. Photo via Notre Dame Athletics In the next round, the Irish will take on the 3rd-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes, and the game will be played at their home arena. Since a loss to Virginia on February 8th, the Irish have won eight out of nine games (their only loss in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament Semifinals against eventual champion Duke) and appear to be primed for a run. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Any conversation about the Fighting Irish starts and begins with perennial National Player of the Year Candidate, Junior Guard Hannah Hidalgo. She has won back-to-back ACC Player of the Year and ACC Defensive Player of the Year. She averages 25.2 points per game (PPG), 6.5 Rebounds Per Game (RPG), 5.3 Assists Per Game (APG), and 5.5 Steals Per Game (SPG). Hidalgo has done all of this while shooting 47.8% from the field. As the season has progressed, her supporting cast has come alive. Since the loss to Virginia, Senior Guard Cassandre Prosper has come alive. She is averaging 10.8 points per game during that stretch and has allowed the Irish to space the floor more and give Hidalgo room to operate. Key contributors to the Irish are Senior KK Bransford, and transfers Vanessa de Jesus and Malaya Cowles. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Ohio State Buckeyes The Buckeyes are a very complete team. They are led by two dynamic Guards, Sophomore Jaloni Cambridge (averaging 22.7 PPG) and Senior T’yanna Todd. They also have a potent frontcourt with Forwards Kylee Kitts, Ella Hobbs, and Center Elsa Lemmila. Much like the Irish, they play a high-pressure defense that creates turnovers. This allows them to get easy transition baskets. The exception is that the Irish rely on the backcourt to get turnovers. The Buckeyes can generate them from any position on the floor. Notre Dame Keys to Victory It must be the "Hannah Hidalgo Show." The Irish have relied on contributions from others during the recent late-season surge. However, this game needs to have Hidalgo's fingerprints all over it with a performance like their first-round game against Fairfield. A downfall for the Irish this season has been their depth. Deep teams have been able to wear them down. Playing an up-tempo, transition team, such as Ohio State, Notre Dame needs to force their pace on the Buckeyes. Teams have been able to expose Ohio State in the half-court. If Notre Dame can do that and spread the floor, Hidalgo should get some nice one-on-one opportunities. This will also allow her teammates to get involved and spread out the Buckeyes. This could also create foul trouble for the Buckeyes, who are not necessarily deep, although they are deeper than the Irish. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Ohio State Keys to Victory As important as Hidalgo having a monster game is for Notre Dame, it is much more imperative for the Buckeyes to stop that. Hidalgo is everything for the Irish; they go as she goes. When she gets going, it frees up others to operate, and Notre Dame becomes very hard to stop. Ohio State must impose its will early. Get the home crowd into the game, force turnovers, make Hidalgo uncomfortable, and use their size advantage to make the Irish go into an almost nonexistent bench. If they can get out and run early, force the Irish to play their game, then they should pull out the win. Prediction This is a classic battle of wills. Ohio State's up-tempo transition game versus the Irish high-pressure half-court game. This could end up being one of the best games of the second round. When teams are this closely matched, I look at the stars, and there are not many better than Hidalgo. I think Ohio State can contain her for stretches. However, a key in this run for the Irish has been Hidalgo's ability to facilitate when she is not getting free offensively. I think that happens here. I look for Prosper, de Jesus, and Bransford to keep the Irish in the game until Hidalgo finds a groove. Then I predict she takes over and leads the Irish to the upset victory and a Sweet Sixteen berth. Final Score: Notre Dame 68, Ohio State 62 Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here  to support our independent journalism. 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Notre Dame advanced to the NCAA Tournament’s Second Round following a 79-60 win against Fairfield on Saturday at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Photo via Notre Dame Athletics Following absences in 2020 and 2021, the Niele Ivey-led Irish return to the big dance for a fifth consecutive season, looking to secure a fifth-straight trip to the Sweet 16. Notre Dame earned a six-seed after finishing 22-10 (12-6) and placing fifth in the ACC’s regular season. The Irish’s First Round opponent, the Fairfield Stags, are no strangers to the NCAA Tournament either, with this year marking their third straight appearance, and fourth in five years. The 11-seeded Stags received their place in the bracket after a 28-4 (19-1) season, which saw Fairfield take home MAAC co-Regular Season and Tournament Championships. Unfortunately for the Stags, Hannah Hidalgo's AP 1st-Team All-American snub was felt by everyone on Fairfield as she stuffed the stat sheet with 23 points, nine boards, eight steals, and six assists in another superstar outing. Offensively, the trio of Hidalgo, Iyana Moore, and Cassandre Prosper combined for 58 of Notre Dame’s 79 points as they shot an uber-efficient 6-11 from deep. Along with the three-ball falling, the Irish also had a rare advantage down low, where they dominated the paint on both sides of the ball, especially on the glass. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Notre Dame jumped out to an early 11-4 lead 3:35 into the game, with Hidalgo and Prosper doing all the scoring for the Irish. However, Fairfield was able to put together a 6-0 stretch to cut their deficit to just one with 3:59 left in the first quarter. Then, the Irish responded with a 6-0 run of their own, with four points from Moore leading the way as Notre Dame claimed a 17-10 advantage with 2:41 on the clock. The offenses went stagnant to close the period, featuring a slew of turnovers and fouls, with a Fairfield two-point bucket with 24 seconds left marking the only points in the last 2:40. Hidalgo paced the Irish with a team-high seven points and three steals in the first quarter as Notre Dame held a 17-12 lead. Prosper and Moore each contributed four points to open the game.  Fairfield opened the second quarter’s scoring, hitting one of two free throw attempts, but the Irish crafted another 6-0 run with three different scorers that extended their lead to 24-13 3:10 into the frame. The Stags were able to convert on consecutive layups to cut their deficit back down to seven, but Hidalgo rattled off four points on a quick 5-0 Irish run that pushed the lead to 29-17 with 4:13 left in the half. The two sides went back-and-forth to end the half, with a Vanessa de Jesus layup in the final minute maintaining the Irish’s 12-point, 36-24, lead at the break. Hidalgo, who added two more steals defensively, and Moore led the Irish offense with six points apiece in the second quarter. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle The Irish came out of the half stifling Fairfield’s offense as Notre Dame opened the third quarter on an 11-2 stretch, highlighted by a tough, converted and-one layup from Moore, that helped extend the lead to 47-26 with 4:10 elapsed in the frame. A made free throw by Prosper capped a 7-5 Irish stretch that extended the lead to a game-high 23 points with 2:20 on the clock. In the final minute, Prosper converted an and-one opportunity and buried a three, but Fairfield countered with a pair of threes of their own to cancel out Prosper’s impressive burst. A three from the Stags with a few seconds remaining in the quarter sent the Irish to the final frame with a 62-43 advantage. Prosper’s nine points on 3-4 shooting from the field led an Irish offense that featured five different scorers in the quarter. Hidalgo added three more steals in this quarter to bring her total to eight in about 28 minutes played, officially putting her on quadruple-double watch. The two teams opened up the final quarter trading baskets for the first 2:41 before Prosper and KK Bransford were able to connect on back-to-back buckets to extend the Irish lead to 72-49 with 5:10 to play. A trio of Fairfield threes was a part of an effort that cut the Stags deficit down to 16 with 1:53 left, but Moore had the last word as she nailed a three with 1:08 on the clock to close the game’s scoring and send Notre Dame to the Second Round with a 79-60 victory. Six different Irish players etched their names in the scoring column in the fourth quarter, with Hidalgo and De Jesus’s four points leading the way. Six-seed Notre Dame will be up against a true road environment in the Second Round on March 23rd when they face three-seed Ohio State at Value City Arena in Columbus. Coach Ivey and Notre Dame will be seeking their fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 berth. Irish Stars Hannah Hidalgo : 23 points (6-6 FTs) , 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 8 steals (NCAA Tournament Single-Game Program Record), +27, 33 minutes played Iyana Moore : 18 points (6-11 FGs, 4-7 3FGs) , 3 rebounds, +24, 37 minutes played Cassandre Prosper : 17 points (7-12 FGs) , 8 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 steals, +27, 33 minutes played Key Team Stats Field Goal Percentage: ND (47%)  - FU (38%)   Three Point Percentage: ND (46%)  - FU (35%) Free Throw Percentage: ND (72%)  - FU (63%) Rebounds: ND (43)  - FU (31) Points in the Paint: ND (44)  - FU (22) Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here  to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok Follow @Brenden_Duffy  on X Liked this story? 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After some injury-riddled years at Notre Dame, Eli Raridon finally found his footing in 2025, having his best season with the Fighting Irish. Now, Raridon enters the NFL draft with the potential to be a great value pick later in the draft. After Oregon's standout tight end Kenyon Sadiq, the tight end rankings in this draft are fairly contested. While the rest of the tight ends are not considered to be elite, Raridon is part of a group that many consider could be very beneficial to an NFL offense. Raridon is a unique player who poses a real threat to opposing defenses. Standing at 6'7", Raridon would already be one of the tallest players in the NFL. With that length, and a 4.62 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, Raridon displays an attractive combination of size and speed for any NFL offense. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Going back to Raridon's time at Notre Dame, it got off to a bit of a rough start, as he suffered two ACL tears within a 10-month timespan. Due to this delay, Raridon fell behind on the depth chart, limiting his role for much of the 2023 and 2024 seasons. It was not until the 2025 season that Raridon finally came into the fold as a key player on the offensive side of the ball. Raridon quickly became one of CJ Carr's favorite weapons to find, specifically on key downs. Carr seemed to have a knack for finding Raridon deep down the field after he had slipped past the defense. Almost miraculously, for how good a season Raridon had, he did not catch a single touchdown in 2025, although he was close several times. Even without a touchdown, Raridon was a huge part of the offense and had a successful season, finishing with 32 catches for 482 yards. Averaging 15 yards a reception, Raridon proved himself a dangerous receiving threat who can create big plays in the passing game. Raridon, considered to be anywhere from the fourth to around the seventh tight end in the class, will not be a day-one or maybe even a day-two pick. While he will not have the immediate pressure of performing at a high level, Raridon's skillset could allow him to be an instant impact player, making him a potential steal in this draft. Raridon is a huge target that can get downfield. That immediately makes him a great target for any quarterback. With that size, Raridon also possesses solid speed and great hands, giving him everything he needs to become a great option in the passing game. In the NFL, linebackers are getting smaller in order to deal with the impressive speed NFL offenses have. Raridon could make a living taking advantage of that decreased size. He will also see a lot of matchups with safeties, but like linebackers, Raridon should be able to use his size to create a mismatch. With his combination of size and speed, any defense will have to worry about his ability to find the seams in a defense. While Raridon is a solid prospect, he is not without his flaws. Despite his size, Raridon is not particularly strong, raising some concerns about him in run-blocking situations. Raridon has shown a willingness to block, but in the NFL, he will need to become a better blocker with the athleticism defenses bring. Best Fits: Round 4, Pick 125/131: New England Patriots The Patriots have two picks in the right range for a team to draft Raridon. At this point in the draft, teams are picking for depth pieces with starter potential, which is exactly what the Patriots are looking for at tight end. After making it to the Super Bowl, the Patriots could be looking to rework their tight end room. Their veteran starter, Hunter Henry, is now on the wrong side of 30, leading many to think the Patriots could be looking for a younger, cheaper option. In free agency, the Patriots signed Julian Hill while losing receiving threat tight end, Austin Hooper. Hill is a blocking specialist who presents as a solid addition to the run game as an extra blocker. Raridon could be a potential replacement for Henry, who complements Hill's skill set perfectly. While Hill is a physical run blocker, Raridon could be the new passing threat in the room, playing to both of their skillsets and preserving balance at the position. Under Mike Vrabel, the Patriots have grown accustomed to running 12-personnel lineups. In those lineups, the offense includes two tight ends, lending itself to a more physical play-style. With the potential duo of Raridon and Hill, the Patriots could have two tight ends on the field that present different challenges for the defense. Hill would be an extra blocker in the run game, while Raridon would be another excellent passing option in play-action. Raridon not only fits a positional need for the Patriots, but he also fits exactly what the Patriots want to run on offense. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Round 4, Pick 108/111: Denver Broncos A little earlier in the fourth round, the Broncos could also select Raridon to help out a tight end room that struggled during the 2025 season. The Broncos were one game away from the Super Bowl last season, making it crucial that they fill in the final gaps of a roster that will look to finish the job in 2026. The tight end room may be one of the biggest gaps they need to fill. With that being said, they may look to draft a tight end much earlier in order to get a bonafide starter, but Raridon could be excellent value later in the draft if they decide to wait. Last season, the Broncos' tight ends had the worst PFF grade in the entire NFL. With no true receiving threat, Raridon could help in adding a little more punch to that room. With Bo Nix having a breakout year, it will be important for the Broncos to continue to add options around Nix. Raridon is a solid piece to surround Nix with, as he never appeared to have a sure set of hands to rely on for stretches of last year. With Jaylen Waddle now on the team, they now have a player who is elite at stretching the field, opening up the middle of the field for a big target like Raridon. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here  to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list  and get every story in your inbox. 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Notre Dame Men’s Basketball will be witnessing the ‘madness’ from their homes for the eighth time in nine seasons and for the third consecutive year since Head Coach Micah Shrewsberry took the job. However, the Irish connections still run deep this March with former assistants, a transfer, and a former Athletic Director’s son hoping to become National Champions. Photo via Rod Balanis/X (@RodBalanis) Howard Associate HC Rod Balanis Balanis, perhaps the most notable to Irish fans, worked at Notre Dame from 2000 to 2021 as one of Mike Brey’s first hires. He served various roles in South Bend, including Coordinator of Basketball Operations, Assistant Coach, and eventually Associate HC. After 21 years with the Irish, Balanis moved closer to home and accepted the same role at Howard. Since arriving in Washington DC, Balanis and the Bison have won three of the past five conference tournaments after not appearing in an NCAA Tournament since 1992. This season, the Bison open March Madness with a First Four matchup with UMBC on Tuesday in Dayton, Ohio. The winner will go on to face one-seed Michigan. Penn HC Fran McCaffery One of the more recognizable names in college basketball, first-year Penn HC Fran McCaffery has led the Quakers to the dance for the first time since 2018. The former longtime Iowa HC spent 11 years in South Bend as an assistant under Digger Phelps and John MacLeod from 1988 to 1999. McCaffery ultimately left for the HC role at UNC-Greensboro and kick-started his current 26-year HC stretch that has seen plenty of successes. 14-seed Penn looks to begin a Cinderella run with a First Round matchup against three-seed Illinois. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Georgia HC Mike White A connection that Notre Dame and its fans may not be too fond of is the father of Georgia HC, Kevin White. Kevin, Mike’s father, served as Notre Dame’s Athletic Director from 2000 to 2008. Additionally, Mike’s brother, Danny, was a reserve on the Irish’s 2001-02 basketball team. While White’s tenure as an AD in South Bend is one most would like to forget, his son has been on quite the run as a basketball coach. After departing Florida for rival Georgia, White has led the Bulldogs to three-straight 20-plus win seasons, the first time they have done that since 2014-16. Georgia’s hopes of a deep run as an eight-seed begin with a matchup against nine-seed St. Louis in the First Round. Michigan State Associate HC Doug Wojcik The Spartans’ legendary HC’s right-hand man served a brief one-season stint in South Bend in Matt Doherty’s lone year as the Irish’s HC in 1999-2000. Wojcik followed Doherty to North Carolina the next season. Since departing Notre Dame, Wojcik has had AC stints at UNC, Gonzaga, and East Carolina. In his eighth season at Michigan State, he has helped the Spartans to a three-seed in the NCAA Tournament, where they face 14-seed North Dakota State in a First Round tilt.  Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle North Carolina State F Ven-Allen Lubin The sole former Notre Dame player whose team earned a spot in this year’s field of 68 is the well-traveled forward putting together a career-best season. As one of Brey’s last recruits, Lubin posted 6.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and nearly a block per game as a freshman in 2022-23. After flashing his promise as a former four-star and Brey’s resignation, Lubin entered the portal and committed to Vanderbilt, where he continued to improve. After one season in Nashville, Lubin came back to the ACC, this time at UNC. Despite having a solid ACC Tournament showing for the Tar Heels, it was an overall disappointing junior year for Lubin. This past offseason, Lubin entered the portal once again before deciding to spend his senior year at in-state rival NC State. This season, he is averaging 13.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, 0.9 blocks, and 0.5 steals per game, starting all 33 appearances. Lubin’s Wolfpack are tasked with the Texas Longhorns on Tuesday evening in Dayton for a First Four contest. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here  to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok Follow @Brenden_Duffy  on X Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list  and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1  Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!