TCU women’s basketball to face Notre Dame in first Sweet 16

By Drew Muller, Staff Writer

Published Mar 26, 2025

TCU forward Agnes Emma-Nnopu shoots a three pointer at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, March 23, 2025. The TCU Horned Frogs beat the Louisville Cardinals 85-70.

In the program’s Sweet 16 debut, TCU women’s basketball is set to play No. 3 seed Notre Dame on Saturday, March 29 at noon.

The Frogs defeated the Irish 76-68 earlier in the season when Notre Dame was ranked No. 3 in the AP poll.

“Notre Dame has been one of the elite women’s basketball teams in our country for a long time, so for us, that win gave us the belief that we are really good, and you need those wins early on,” TCU head coach Mark Campbell said.

This year marks Hailey Van Lith’s fourth run to an Elite Eight appearance.

“The NCAA tournament is structured differently than a conference tournament,” Van Lith said. “If you can get hot in a conference tournament, you play three days in a row. The NCAA tournament isn’t like that if we get complacent after we win these first two games the other team’s hungry in the Sweet 16. It’s all about staying motivated you don’t want to be the team that’s complacent out there next Saturday.”

TCU coach Mark Campbell and guard Hailey Van Lith embrace after the game at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 23, 2025. The TCU Horned Frogs beat the Louisville Cardinals 85-70. (Tyler Chan)

Coach Campbell said playing Notre Dame for a second time will allow the Frogs to be more comfortable, and the team is very confident.

Van Lith said beating Notre Dame in the regular season allowed the team to prove themselves to the TCU community.

“People were waiting for us to do something unexpected,” she said.

Van Lith also said she is looking forward to Saturday.

“It will be a great game, and it will also be great for women’s basketball,” she said.

TCU looks to advance to the Elite Eight with a win against Notre Dame on Saturday. The game will be broadcast on ABC.