Before the NCAA tournament began, a UConn vs. the field debate commenced. Notre Dame is as good a representative for the field as any team. The Fighting Irish, after all, have by far the most wins over the Huskies since the 2001-02 season.
The programs have history, and the latest chapter will be written on Sunday in the Elite Eight, as UConn’s undefeated season will once again be on the line.
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That matchup kicks off a doubleheader that also includes a showdown between UCLA and Duke.
Here’s what you need to know about both of those games.
No. 1 UConn vs. No. 6 Notre Dame
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UConn’s last Final Four appearance: 2025
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Notre Dame’s last Final Four appearance: 2019
UConn waxed Notre Dame 85-47 on Jan. 19. The Huskies won that game by 38 points — marking the most lopsided contest in the teams’ storied rivalry — and their average margin of victory this season is 38.3 points per game. But Geno Auriemma is uneasy about this rematch.
“They weren’t at full strength, and they’ve had time to be together 1774736660,” Auriemma said on Saturday. “I think everybody on their team knows what their role is. … I mean, there’s a reason why they’re playing tomorrow.”
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The reason largely has to do with National Player of the Year candidate Hannah Hidalgo, who is coming off the second triple-double in NCAA tournament history. The do-it-all guard is a menace on the defensive end of the court, so much so that Auriemma compared her to Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor.
Hidalgo set the NCAA Division I women’s basketball single-season steals record in the Irish’s latest upset victory, a three-point triumph over No. 2 Vanderbilt. She’s also the nation’s third-leading scorer with 25.3 points per game. Behind her heroics, Notre Dame has taken down both Vandy and No. 3 Ohio State. Now, Irish head coach Niele Ivey, who beat UConn as a player en route to winning the 2001 national title, is looking to taint the Huskies’ perfect season.
Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo drives to the basket while being defended by UConn’s Azzi Fudd during a 85-47 Huskies win in Storrs, Connecticut, on Jan. 19. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images)
(Joe Buglewicz via Getty Images)
Players to watch
Notre Dame G Hannah Hidalgo
Hidalgo flirted with a quadruple-double against Vanderbilt in the Sweet 16. She had 31 points, 11 rebounds, 10 steals and 7 assists. The junior guard is the heart and soul of this Irish team. But last time against the Huskies, she was held to a mere 16 points on 5-of-15 shooting.
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UConn F Sarah Strong
Strong is firmly in the National Player of the Year conversation as well. She’s the epitome of consistency. The sophomore forward has scored in double figures every game this season. She’s reached or eclipsed the 20-point mark 15 times, including on Friday when she piled up a team-high 21 points versus North Carolina in the Sweet 16. UConn got off to a slow start in that game, but Strong diffused the tension with 11 second-quarter points. Plus, like Hidalgo, Strong has an unavoidable defensive presence.
Stat to remember
UConn and Notre Dame have previously met eight times in the NCAA tournament. The Irish lead that March Madness series 5-3.
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No. 1 UCLA vs. No. 3 Duke
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UCLA’s last Final Four appearance: 2025
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Duke’s last Final Four appearance: 2006
This is another sequel. As Duke proved in dramatic fashion on Friday night, what’s happened in the past has no bearing on what goes down in the NCAA tournament. Kara Lawson’s Blue Devils avenged a 16-point ACC/SEC Challenge defeat to LSU with a buzzer-beating win over the No. 2 Tigers in the Sweet 16.
A week before Duke lost that first meeting with LSU this season, it suffered a 30-point setback to UCLA in a Players Era Championship that wasn’t kind to the Blue Devils. Star center Lauren Betts wasn’t even available, and the Bruins still rolled. Duke is looking for more redemption on Sunday. Meanwhile, Cori Close and UCLA are on the hunt for their second consecutive Final Four appearance.
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Before last year, the Bruins had never made it that far in the dance. They’re on the verge of reaching that summit two years in a row. UCLA cruised to the Elite Eight, thanks to double-digit victories over No. 16 California Baptist, No. 8 Oklahoma State and No. 4 Minnesota. The Bruins’ lone loss this season came against fellow No. 1 seed Texas.
Players to watch
UCLA C Lauren Betts
Another National Player of the Year contender, Betts is a top prospect in this year’s WNBA Draft. The senior affects the game on both sides of the floor. She’s been particularly effective in the NCAA tournament, averaging 24.3 points, 8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.3 blocks over the first three games while shooting a blistering 72.1% from the field.
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Duke F Toby Fournier
Keep an eye on Duke’s frontcourt, too. Although senior guard Ashlon Jackson is top of mind after hitting the game-winner against LSU, Fournier is the Blue Devils’ leading scorer. She earned ACC Rookie of the Year honors in 2025 and has helped Duke win consecutive ACC tournament crowns and make back-to-back Elite Eights. The sophomore forward had 17 points and 10 rebounds when these squads first faced each other.
Stat to remember
Duke hasn’t been to the Final Four since 2006. That year, the Blue Devils made it all the way to the national title game before falling to Maryland by three points.
