NCAAW Odds & Pick: UConn vs. Notre Dame

by Travis Pulver |
Dec 12, 2024

If you’ve wanted to see two of the best women’s college basketball players face off, then you’ll get your wish tonight when Paige Bueckers leads her UConn Huskies against Hannah Hidalgo and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Shamrock Classic at Purcell Pavillion in South Bend, IN.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.

The No. 2 Huskies are 2.5-point road favorites in the game over the No. 8 Fighting Irish. They’ve dominated the all-time series between the two programs, 39-15. However, Notre Dame has gotten the best of UConn the last two times these teams have met.

Go premium to view top prop bets based on Cover Probability, Expected Value & Star Rating >>

UConn vs. Notre Dame Betting Preview

(Odds Courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

Details

Betting line: UConn -3.5, o/u 139.5
Location: Purcell Pavillion in South Bend, IN
Start Time: 7 p.m. ET
Coverage: ESPN
Last Meeting: January 27, 2024-UConn Huskies 67 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 82

Overview

In tonight’s edition of one of women’s college basketball’s best rivalries, two top-ten teams face off, one undefeated (8-0) and the other with two losses. However, the team with two losses also has wins over two top-5 teams (No. 2 UConn vs. No. 8 Notre Dame).

If that wasn’t enough to grab your attention, each team’s star also happens to be the betting favorite and one of the frontrunners for the Women’s Wooden Award (Paige Bueckers +140, Hannah Hidalgo +400). A solid case could be made that Hidalgo is the more deserving of the two (so far).

Should you need more to get your interest piqued, this is a rivalry in the best sense of the word. No one has defeated Notre Dame more than UConn has, and vice versa. Like any good rivalry, a win in this game makes the season for the victor a success.

Everything else will be icing on the cake.

However, should Notre Dame pull off the upset at home, the win will come with an Asterix. The Huskies will be without one of the team’s best players. UConn guard Azi Fudd is expected to miss the game due to a knee sprain. The injury occurred during last weekend’s win over Louisville.

UConn could use her absence as an excuse should they lose. However, it will also give Paige Bueckers a chance to show the nation why she is the betting favorite to win the Wooden Award.

Trends

UConn has not won in South Bend since the 2018-19 season (Dec. 2, 2018, 89-71); the Huskies are 2-3 vs. Notre Dame since then.
Notre Dame’s 15 wins against UConn are the most any school has; the Fighting Irish are the only school with double-digit wins against the Huskies.
UConn’s 39 wins are the most any school has vs. Notre Dame.
Notre Dame has not won more than two in a row vs. UConn since a stretch of four from 2012-2013 (April 1, 2002, 83-75; January 5, 2013, 73-72; March 4, 2013, 96-87; March 12, 2013, 61-59).

The Bottom Line

Missing Fudd will hurt, but this means it is time for Bueckers to show out, which will not be too hard against Notre Dame’s mediocre defense. I don’t expect Hidalgo to get shut down, but UConn has one of the best defenses in the country, along with a good offense.

If you want to watch good basketball, then watch this game.

Points will be scored, but defense will rule the day. Even though they are down a major player, UConn has the better defense.

Picks: UConn -2.5 (-110) or UNDER 139.5 (-110)

Navigate