Notre Dame, USC women's basketball announce home-and-home series for 2024-25

Two of the top women’s basketball programs in the country will be facing off each of the next two seasons. Notre Dame and USC have scheduled a home-and-home series, it was announced on Friday.

The Irish will travel to USC for a game on Nov. 23, 2024. The Trojans are set to come to South Bend during the 2025-26 season.

Both teams are ranked in the top 5 of On3’s post-spring Women’s Basketball Top 25 rankings. USC comes in at No. 1 in the rankings, while Notre Dame is ranked No. 5.

USC is coming off of a 29-6 season in 2023-24. The Trojans advanced to the Elite 8 last season, before falling to UConn. USC has a loaded roster heading into next season, led by National Freshman of the Year JuJu Watkins.

Notre Dame finished 28-7 a season ago. The Irish advanced to the Sweet 16, before dropping a close game with Oregon State.

Notre Dame also returns a ton of talent off of last year’s roster, including All-American Hannah Hidalgo. The Irish will also get back Olivia Miles in 2024-25. Miles was an All-American in 2022-23, but she suffered an injury in February of 2023 and missed all of last season.

Niele Ivey previews 2024-25 Notre Dame roster, potential ceiling

For the third consecutive season under Niele Ivey, Notre Dame was sent home earlier than wanted from the NCAA Tournament. Each year has resulted in a Sweet Sixteen loss, this time at the hands of Oregon State. Not what anybody in South Bend wanted, especially after earning a two-seed from the selection committee.

Luckily for Ivey, this season’s roster might be her best on paper. Notre Dame is going to have a ton of experience, both with returning players and additions through the NCAA transfer portal. If everyone can stay healthy, Ivey loves the potential the Fighting Irish have.

“My No. 1 goal is to always stay healthy,” Ivey said. “To have that opportunity for everyone to go through the season without any injury. That’s No. 1. But again, on paper, we have the experience, having Olivia Miles back. We have so many pieces that I think can help us be successful. But again, it’s a little bit of luck. I’m excited, we’re hungry, and I feel like I have the right pieces that can help us go further next year.”

Miles figures to be a huge factor for Notre Dame, returning from an injury after missing the entire 2023-2024 season. She is a former All-American, having a career average of 13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 6.8 rebounds per game. Shooting 46.1% from the field is not too shabby either.