Notre Dame vs. Vanderbilt live score, updates, highlights from March Madness Sweet 16 game

2026-03-27 · Yahoo Sports

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The 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament kicks off Sweet 16 action Friday when No. 2 Vanderbilt and No. 6 Notre Dame battle in Fort Worth, Texas. This matchup to advance for an Elite Eight spot will be interesting. It puts two of the nation's best scorers in a head-to-head battle.

If the Commodores can keep Hannah Hidalgo from going off, they'll be positioned for a win with Mikayla Blakes leading the charge. But turnovers have been the Irish's weakness and strength. Outside of lighting up the box score in points, Hidalgo can force opponents into difficult situations.

Today's Sweet 16 game from Fort Worth will be live at 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Notre Dame vs. Vanderbilt live updates, highlights from 2026 March Madness game

1st Quarter 7:21

The defense for both team is strong in the early going. Mikayla Blakes' heads up play has Vanderbilt up 5-2

Skylar Diggins is at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth to support her alma mater Notre Dame women’s basketball, as the 6 seed Irish play 2 seed Vanderbilt in the Sweet Sixteen.

Diggins won three Sweet Sixteens in her four years with Notre Dame. pic.twitter.com/LBwR6WoCfe
— Kyle Smedley (@KyleMSmedley) March 27, 2026

Starters for Notre Dame and Vanderbilt

ND
Vanessa de Jesus
Hannah Hidalgo
Malaya Cowles
Cassandre Prosper
Iyana Moore

Vandy
Mikayla Blakes
Aubrey Galvan
Justine Pissott
Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda
Sacha Washington

Who has the best chance to pull off an upset in the women's Sweet 16?

ESPN's BPI says it's Hannah Hidalgo and 6-seed Notre Dame over 2-seed Vanderbilt 👀 pic.twitter.com/9Qk18kUUlz
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) March 26, 2026

The Irish average over 13 steals per game, and Hidalgo gets nearly half of those at 5.6 per game. Keep in mind, points off turnovers is what Notre Dame thrives on. Hannah Hidalgo leads the country in steals, and if she flips the court with ease, this could be a long outing for the Commodores.

Vanderbilt will need to make Hidalgo a non-factor, which is easier said than done. Being able to cut her off from working in the offense is the Commodores' best bet. This is going to be a battle of the guards right from the start. Outside of Blakes, Aubrey Galvan has averaged 14.5 points in the tournament so far. This will have to continue for the Irish to be sent home.

What channel is Notre Dame vs. Vanderbilt on today?

Notre Dame vs. Vanderbilt How to Watch
Date: Friday, March 27
Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
Dickies Arena- Fort Worth, texas
TV: ESPN (Available on FuboTV)

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