Notre Dame, Louisville Set For Top-25 Showdown

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — No. 23 Notre Dame (12-4, 4-2) looks to end No. 9 Louisville’s (16-3, 6-0) undefeated start to conference play on Thursday, as the Irish host the Cardinals at Purcell Pavilion. Courtney Lyle and Stephanie White will have the call on the ACC Network.

NOTES

• Notre Dame is coming off its second ranked win of the season, as the Irish downed No. 22 North Carolina on Sunday, 73-50. The difference in the game was a dominant third quarter, as Notre Dame outscored the visitors 22-5 in the frame behind three triples from Vanessa de Jesus.
• On Monday, Hidalgo was named ACC Player of the Week for the fourth time this season and 10th time in her career, a mark that ranks second in conference history. One of her most dominant performances this season, Hidalgo had 31 points, eight rebounds, seven steals, six assists and a block against the Tar Heels.
• On Tuesday, Cassandre Prosper was named to the USBWA National Team of the Week for the second time this season. She had 27 points and 13 rebounds against Boston College on Thursday and followed that showing with 17 points and 14 rebounds against Carolina. Prosper’s 27 rebounds last week were the most recorded by any ACC player in that span.
• Hidalgo has averaged 23.3 points per game this year against ranked competition, which ranks fifth nationally (min. three games).
• Prosper has recorded a double-double in six of the last eight games. She entered that stretch with zero in her career.
• The Irish rank sixth nationally in steals/game, and three players (Hidalgo, de Jesus and Malaya Cowles) are averaging 2+ per game, the most of any team in the ACC.
• Hidalgo has 374 career steals, just shy of the program record held by Skylar Diggins (381).
• Notre Dame is 22-14 all-time against Louisville and 9-5 at home. The Irish have won the last four meetings, and both teams have been ranked in four of the last five matchups.