When TCU vs Notre Dame clashed back in November, few knew it would foreshadow a massive Sweet 16 rematch in the 2025 NCAA Women’s Tournament. The Horned Frogs erased a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to stun the Fighting Irish 76-68 at the Cayman Islands Classic.
Fast forward to March, and both squads have grown—and sharpened—into legitimate Final Four contenders. But can Hailey Van Lith and TCU make history by booking their first-ever Elite Eight appearance? Or will Hannah Hidalgo and the Irish flip the script when it matters most?
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🐸 How TCU Reached the Sweet 16
- Round of 64: TCU def. UC Irvine 82-51
- Round of 32: TCU def. Louisville 85-70
Mark Campbell’s squad is cooking. TCU has outscored opponents by 46 points across their first two games. In the win over Louisville, Van Lith posted a dazzling 16-5-10 line, while Sedona Prince dominated the interior with key rebounds and blocks.
The Frogs are averaging over 9 made 3-pointers per game, and they bring defensive discipline with physical rebounding. They’re also riding a 12-game win streak and have covered in 9 of their last 11 games against the spread.
🍀 How Notre Dame Reached the Sweet 16
- Round of 64: Notre Dame def. Southern Utah 95-60
- Round of 32: Notre Dame def. Michigan 85-66
The Fighting Irish are on fire, too. Notre Dame has won 8 of its last 9, and their offensive explosion in the tournament has been led by Hannah Hidalgo, who’s averaging 24.1 points per game this season and remains a nightmare for opposing backcourts.
Alongside Hidalgo, Olivia Miles and Sonia Citron have provided consistent scoring and transition defense. The Irish average 85.1 points per game while allowing just 61.7—elite on both ends.
💰 TCU vs Notre Dame Odds & Best Bets
| Bet Type | Line/Odds |
| Spread | Notre Dame -5.5 |
| Moneyline | Notre Dame -220 / TCU +185 |
| Total | O/U 144.5 |
🔒 Best Bets:
- TCU +5.5: The Frogs have already beaten this team once and are playing lights out. Worth a look with the points.
- Over 144.5: Both teams average over 77 PPG and love to push the pace. Expect tempo.
- Van Lith Over 18.5 Points (Prop): She’s the heartbeat of this team—and this is her moment.
📊 TCU vs Notre Dame: Team Comparison
| Category | TCU Horned Frogs | Notre Dame Fighting Irish |
| Record | 33-3 | 28-5 |
| Tournament Seed | No. 2 | No. 3 |
| PPG (Scoring Offense) | 77.7 | 85.1 |
| PPG Allowed | 57.5 | 61.7 |
| FG% | 45.8% | 47.3% |
| 3PT Shooting | 38.2% | 39.5% |
| Rebounds Per Game | 40.5 | 42.0 |
⭐ Key Players to Watch in TCU vs Notre Dame
TCU Horned Frogs
- Hailey Van Lith (G): The leader, floor general, and spark plug. She’s averaging 17.7 PPG and nearly 6 APG this season.
- Sedona Prince (C): A rim protector and force in the paint who’s critical in neutralizing Notre Dame’s interior game.
- Madison Conner (G): Deadly from deep, hitting over 45% of her three-point attempts.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- Hannah Hidalgo (G): A certified star. She leads the Irish in scoring, defense, and energy. Averaging 24.1 PPG and 4.7 steals.
- Olivia Miles (G): A creator with the ball and a sniper from long range (39.6% from 3).
- Sonia Citron (G): A glue player who contributes across the board and defends multiple positions.
🧠 Coaching Edge
- Mark Campbell (TCU): In just his first year, he’s taken TCU to historic heights. Creative, confident, and built to win.
- Niele Ivey (Notre Dame): The former Irish great has her team humming again. Looking for her first Elite Eight as head coach.
🔑 Keys to the Game
What TCU Needs to Do:
- Shoot efficiently from deep: Notre Dame will clog the lane, so the Frogs need Conner and Van Lith to hit from the arc.
- Limit Hidalgo’s damage in transition: TCU has to cut off her lanes and force half-court sets.
- Control the glass: Sedona Prince will have to play one of her most physical games yet.
What Notre Dame Needs to Do:
- Get Hidalgo going early: When she sets the tone, they roll.
- Win the turnover battle: TCU is aggressive. Quick passes and outlet plays will be key.
- Finish strong: If this game is tight late, Notre Dame needs Miles and Citron to make plays.
🏆 TCU vs Notre Dame Prediction: Who Moves On?
Notre Dame is the favorite, and rightly so. But TCU already proved it can beat this team—and that was with Notre Dame at full strength. If Van Lith stays hot and the Frogs control the tempo, another upset is absolutely on the table.
Final Score Prediction: TCU 76, Notre Dame 73
Pick: TCU +5.5
Best Bet: Over 144.5
MVP: Hailey Van Lith (25 pts, 6 ast, 3 stl)
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📺 How to Watch TCU vs Notre Dame Women
- Date: Saturday, March 29, 2025
- Time: 1:00 PM ET
- Location: Legacy Arena, Birmingham, AL
- TV: ABC
- Streaming: ESPN+, Disney+, NCAA March Madness Live
💬 Final Word: Underdogs? Not So Fast.
This TCU vs Notre Dame game might be seeded as 2 vs 3—but it feels like a coin flip. The Frogs are confident, battle-tested, and armed with one of the best guards in the country. Notre Dame has firepower, experience, and the swagger of a perennial contender.
Get your popcorn ready—this one might come down to the final possession.
