Ayrton Oneill
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish Men's Basketball team has a rich history in the sport, with 44 winning seasons and 5 undefeated seasons at their home ground, the Purcell Pavilion. The team has had notable wins over NCAA champions UCLA in 1971 and Indiana in 1954, as well as a victory over Marquette in 1978 that took them to the Final Four. The Fighting Irish have also made it to the NCAA tournament 36 or 37 times, depending on the source, and hold two retroactively awarded national championships from the Helms Foundation for the 1927 and 1936 seasons. While the team has experienced success, they also hold the record for the most tournament appearances without a championship title.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team Name | Notre Dame Fighting Irish |
| Competition | Atlantic Coast Conference of NCAA Division I |
| Number of NCAA Tournament Appearances | 36 or 37 |
| Final Four Appearances | 1 (1978) |
| Number of NIT Appearances | 12 |
| Number of Winning Seasons at the Purcell Pavilion | 44 |
| Number of Undefeated Seasons at the Purcell Pavilion | 5 (1973, 1985, 2006, 2007, 2010) |
| Number of Losing Seasons at the Purcell Pavilion | 4 (1971, 1981, 1992, 1995) |
| College Basketball All-Time Ranking | 12th |
| Number of National Championships | 2 (1927, 1936) |
| Recent Wins | Pittsburgh (55-54), Cal (4OT thriller) |
| Recent Losses | North Carolina (56-76), Clemson (83-68), NC State |
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What You'll Learn
- The Notre Dame Fighting Irish Men's Basketball team has had 44 winning seasons at home, including 5 undefeated seasons
- The team has played in the NCAA tournament 36 times, reaching the Final Four in 1978
- The Fighting Irish have a winning streak against UCLA, bookending UCLA's 88-game win streak
- The team has had notable wins against defending national champions, including Marquette in 1978 and NYU in 1948
- The women's team had a 19-game winning streak, which ended in a double-overtime loss to NC State
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish Men's Basketball team has had 44 winning seasons at home, including 5 undefeated seasons
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish is a successful basketball programme representing the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, United States. The team has a rich history of winning seasons and notable victories.
Playing their home games in the Purcell Pavilion at the Edmund P. Joyce Center, the Fighting Irish have established a strong home-court advantage. Since moving to the Purcell Pavilion in 1968, the team has achieved 44 winning seasons, including 5 undefeated seasons (1973, 1985, 2006, 2007, and 2010). This impressive record solidifies their reputation as a dominant force in college basketball.
The Fighting Irish compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference of NCAA Division I. Their success extends beyond their home court, having appeared in the NCAA tournament 36 or 37 times, a remarkable feat that places them 9th all-time. They also reached the Final Four in 1978. The team holds the record for the most Tournament appearances without a championship, showcasing their consistent excellence.
The Fighting Irish have a history of notable wins, including victories over defending national champions. In 1971, they defeated UCLA, who then went on to win the NCAA Championship. Similarly, in 1954, they prevented Indiana from claiming back-to-back national titles with a win in the NCAA tournament. Their victory over Marquette in 1978 and NYU in 1948 further emphasised their ability to rise to the occasion.
Coached by Micah Shrewsberry, the Fighting Irish continue to strive for excellence. While they have experienced losses, such as their 56-76 defeat to North Carolina in the 2025 ACC Tourney, they also have notable recent wins. In 2025, they defeated Montgomery High School 76-56 and St. Joseph High School 66-64 in the CIF State Boys Basketball Championships. The Fighting Irish remain a competitive force in college basketball, always aiming to add to their impressive record of winning seasons.
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The team has played in the NCAA tournament 36 times, reaching the Final Four in 1978
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish Men's Basketball team has a rich history in the NCAA tournament, with 36 appearances to their name, which is the 9th most all time. Their first tournament win came in 1927, with a 19–1 overall record, and they followed this up with another successful campaign in 1936, finishing with a 22–2–1 record.
The team has reached the coveted Final Four stage on one occasion, in 1978. This was a significant year for the Fighting Irish, as they defeated Marquette, who were the defending national champions. The Fighting Irish also hold the record for the most Tournament appearances without a championship title, sharing this distinction with Texas, Temple, Illinois, and Oklahoma.
The team's success in the NCAA tournament includes several notable wins. In 1948, they beat Kentucky, who went on to win the Tournament in consecutive years. Another memorable victory came in 1954, when they defeated Indiana, preventing them from achieving back-to-back national titles. More recently, in 2005 and 2012, the Fighting Irish defeated Boston College and Syracuse, respectively, handing both teams their first loss of the season.
The Fighting Irish play their home games at the Purcell Pavilion, where they have enjoyed 44 winning seasons, including 5 undefeated seasons. The team has experienced success in the AP Poll rankings, with a top-5 ranking in the 2010-11 season. The Fighting Irish have also had individual players recognised, with Adrian Dantley named a First Team All-American in 1976 by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.
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The Fighting Irish have a winning streak against UCLA, bookending UCLA's 88-game win streak
The Notre Dame–UCLA men's basketball rivalry is an intense one. The University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish and University of California, Los Angeles Bruins have gone head-to-head 42 times between 1966 and 1995. The rivalry was at its peak when Notre Dame ended UCLA's 88-game winning streak.
UCLA had won 88 games in a row from January 1971 to January 1974, and their winning streak was ended by Notre Dame on January 19, 1974, in a 71-70 victory. This was a huge upset and is considered one of the most important games in the history of college basketball. The Fighting Irish were led by Austin Carr, who scored 46 points, and the game was a signature victory for the team in their new facility, the Joyce Center.
The UCLA team at the time was full of talent, with college basketball titans such as Walt Hazzard and Abdul-Jabbar. They were coached by the legendary John Wooden, who had previously stated, "We can be beaten." The Notre Dame team was coached by Digger Phelps, who had worked hard to get the program through a quick rebuild and set up a national schedule of games featuring the Irish against some of the biggest names in the sport.
The rivalry between the two teams continued after the UCLA streak was broken, with UCLA returning the favour a week later, beating the Irish 94-75 at Pauley Pavilion.
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The team has had notable wins against defending national champions, including Marquette in 1978 and NYU in 1948
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish Men's Basketball team has a rich history, with several notable achievements over the years. While they are yet to win an NCAA Tournament, the team has had some memorable wins, including against defending national champions.
One such notable victory came in 1978 when Notre Dame defeated Marquette, the defending national champion. This game is remembered for the impressive defensive performance of sophomore Hanzlik, who was tasked with guarding All-American guard Butch Lee. The strategic move paid off, and combined with Tripucka's accurate shooting, Notre Dame rallied from 17 points down to win 65-59. This win is particularly significant as Marquette was a traditional basketball powerhouse, making the victory all the more remarkable for the Fighting Irish.
Another memorable win for the Fighting Irish came in 1948 when they faced NYU, a basketball powerhouse at the time. The game was played at Madison Square Garden, and the venue was packed with 19,000 spectators, the largest crowd to witness a basketball game there at the time. Notre Dame's victory over NYU convinced many sportswriters that the Fighting Irish were the best team that year, a testament to their skill and determination.
These wins against defending national champions, Marquette in 1978 and NYU in 1948, showcase the Fighting Irish's resilience and ability to rise to the challenge. While they may not have won the NCAA Tournament, these victories have certainly left their mark on the team's history and continue to inspire their fans and future players.
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The women's team had a 19-game winning streak, which ended in a double-overtime loss to NC State
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish women's basketball team suffered a disappointing loss to the NC State Wolfpack, ending their impressive 19-game winning streak. The thrilling double-overtime game, which took place on February 23, 2025, saw the Wolfpack emerge victorious with a final score of 104-95. This win not only snapped Notre Dame's winning streak but also prevented them from clinching the ACC regular-season title.
The game was a back-and-forth battle, with both teams trading leads throughout. NC State started strong, taking an early 12-5 lead. However, Notre Dame fought back, and the rest of the regulation was closely contested, with neither team able to pull away. The game went into overtime, with Sonia Citron of Notre Dame nailing a crucial 3-pointer to force the extra period.
In the first overtime, the teams continued to trade baskets, and neither could gain a significant advantage. Aziaha James of NC State made a tough pull-up jumper to tie the game at 92, sending it into a second overtime. It was in this second extra period that NC State took control. The Wolfpack went on a 14-3 run, dominating the final stages of the game.
The standout performer for NC State was Zoe Brooks, who led her team with an impressive 33 points and 10 rebounds. She was supported by strong performances from Aziaha James, who scored 20 points, and Saniya Rivers, who contributed 14 points and displayed her all-around talent with 13 rebounds and 9 assists. For Notre Dame, Hannah Hidalgo led the scoring with 26 points, while Citron added 23 points and Olivia Miles chipped in with 22 points.
Despite the loss, the Fighting Irish had an impressive season, and their 19-game winning streak is a testament to their skill and determination. The game against NC State was closely fought, and the Wolfpack's strong performance in the second overtime proved to be the deciding factor in ending Notre Dame's streak.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the team has won two retroactively awarded national championships in basketball from the Helms Foundation for the 1927 and 1936 seasons.
The team has appeared in the NCAA tournament 36 or 37 times, placing 9th all-time.
Yes, the team reached the Final Four in 1978.
The team has had 44 winning seasons at the Purcell Pavilion, including 5 undefeated seasons in 1973, 1985, 2006, 2007, and 2010.
Yes, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish women's basketball team was ranked No. 1 before their double-overtime loss to NC State in a matchup of the top two teams in the ACC.
