If you’ve spent any time in Raleigh or South Bend lately, you know this isn't just another game on the calendar. It’s personal. When we talk about NC State vs Notre Dame women's basketball, people usually jump straight to the flashy highlights or the national rankings. But honestly? That’s only scratching the surface. This rivalry has turned into one of the most unpredictable, high-stakes chess matches in the ACC, and if you aren't paying attention to the specific tactical shifts between Wes Moore and Niele Ivey, you're missing the real story.
Most fans assume the "blue blood" status of Notre Dame gives them an inherent edge. That’s a mistake. While the Irish have the history, the Wolfpack has spent the last few years turning Reynolds Coliseum into a house of horrors for anyone wearing navy and gold.
The Chaos of the Double Overtime Thriller
We have to talk about February 2025. If you didn't see that game, go find the replay. It was basically a 50-minute heart attack. NC State was ranked 13th, Notre Dame was sitting at number 1, and the atmosphere in Raleigh was suffocating.
Twenty-one ties. Twenty-one lead changes.
Zoe Brooks went absolutely nuclear, dropping a career-high 33 points. But it wasn't just the scoring; it was her 14-of-14 performance from the free-throw line that eventually iced it in the second overtime. On the other side, Hannah Hidalgo was doing Hannah Hidalgo things, scoring 26 and making the Wolfpack defense look like they were standing in quicksand.
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The Irish eventually lost 104-95, but that game changed the narrative. It proved that when these two programs meet, the rankings on the screen are basically decorative. It’s about who can survive the final four minutes of a track meet.
Why the Backcourt Battle Is Actually the Whole Game
When you watch NC State vs Notre Dame women's basketball today, your eyes shouldn't follow the ball. Follow the guards.
Saniya Rivers for State is a unicorn. She’s tall, rangy, and can disrupt passing lanes in a way that makes Niele Ivey’s offensive sets look clunky. But then you have Olivia Miles and Hannah Hidalgo. That backcourt duo for Notre Dame is probably the most terrifying defensive tandem in the country. They don't just "play defense"—they hunt.
I spoke with some local scouts who pointed out something most TV analysts miss: the way NC State uses Tilda Trygger and Aziaha James to stretch the floor. If James is hitting her step-back threes, it forces the Irish bigs, like Kate Koval or Liatu King, to step out of the paint. That’s when the Pack is most dangerous.
The Coaching Chess Match
Wes Moore is sort of the "old school" tactician who has evolved. He’s built a culture at NC State that relies on grit and specific spacing. Niele Ivey, meanwhile, has brought a professional, WNBA-style pace to South Bend.
- Moore’s Strategy: Heavy emphasis on the glass and high-percentage looks for his veterans.
- Ivey’s Approach: High-octane transition and letting her guards create chaos in the open floor.
It’s a clash of philosophies. Moore wants to grind you down; Ivey wants to run you out of the gym.
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The 2026 Landscape: Where Things Stand Now
As of mid-January 2026, the ACC standings are a mess, which is exactly how we like it. Louisville and Duke have been fighting for the top spot, but NC State and Notre Dame are lurking right behind them.
The Irish just came off a dominant 73-50 win over North Carolina, where Hidalgo looked like the best player in the country. Seriously, 31 points and 7 steals? That’s video game numbers. Meanwhile, the Wolfpack just dismantled Wake Forest 95-77. They aren't slowing down.
People keep asking: "Who is the favorite?"
The truth is, there isn't one. When these teams play in South Bend, the Irish usually have the officiating and the crowd on their side. When they go to Raleigh, the "Kay Yow" energy and the noise at Reynolds make it almost impossible for visitors to communicate.
What the Stats Don’t Tell You
Everyone looks at the "Points Per Game" or "Field Goal Percentage." Boring. If you want to know who wins the next matchup, look at the Points Off Turnovers.
In their last three meetings, the team that forced more than 15 turnovers won every single time. Notre Dame’s defense is designed to create fast-break points. If NC State can take care of the ball—which is a tall task when Hidalgo is breathing down your neck—they win. If they get sloppy? It’s a blowout.
Another factor? The bench. NC State has developed a much deeper rotation with players like Zamareya Jones providing a spark when the starters need a breather. Notre Dame has been a bit more top-heavy, relying on their "Big Three" to play 35+ minutes. Fatigue is real, especially in the ACC tournament gauntlet.
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Actionable Insights for the Next Matchup
If you're betting on or just analyzing the next installment of NC State vs Notre Dame women's basketball, keep these three things in mind:
1. Watch the first five minutes of the third quarter. Both Wes Moore and Niele Ivey are master adjusters. Whoever wins the "middle eight" (the last four minutes of the first half and the first four of the second) almost always controls the tempo of the game.
2. The "Rivers Factor." Saniya Rivers is the barometer for the Wolfpack. When she is aggressive and looking for her shot, NC State is a Final Four-caliber team. If she’s passive, they struggle to find an offensive rhythm against the Irish zone.
3. Home court is a 6-point swing. History shows us that these games are decided by two possessions or less. Don't underestimate the travel factor. A mid-week game in South Bend in the middle of a January snowstorm is a very different animal than a Sunday afternoon in North Carolina.
The rivalry isn't just about the wins and losses. It’s about two programs that refuse to give an inch in a conference that is currently the deepest in the nation. Whether it's Zoe Brooks dropping 30 or Hannah Hidalgo stealing the ball five times in a row, this matchup is the gold standard for women's hoops right now.
To get the most out of the next game, track the "defensive rebounds to transition points" ratio. This tells you if Notre Dame is successfully running or if NC State has managed to slow the game down to their preferred half-court pace.
Keep an eye on the official ACC injury reports as we head into February. Depth will be the deciding factor in the 2026 conference tournament.