Although all of Notre Dame's opponents were already known and the non-conference schedule was finalized last week, Notre Dame's full schedule was released Tonight. Being in the ACC normally comes with a good amount of tests for any team and that is no different for Notre Dame this year. Here's a full breakdown of their schedule and where they can take advantage of it.
November
Game Schedule:
Vs. Cal State Northridge, November 13th
Vs. High Point, November 16th
Vs. St. Mary's, November 22nd (Maui invitational)
Vs. (Opponent unknown), November 23rd (Maui Invitational)
At. Illinois, November 29th (BIG10/ACC challenge)
Unlike last year, the Irish will get a chance to get into a group against a few non power six opponents before being tested in Maui and in Champaigne against a projected top 10 team in Illinois. The Irish will still have to bring it early on against a few experienced teams like High Point (a tough, experienced team coached by Tubby Smith) and St. Mary's ( a group full of upperclassmen.)
Later in the month the Irish travel to Champaigne to face a highly ranked Illinois team that will test them down low with Kofi Cockburn and a few guards who can create off the dribble in Andre Curbelo and Trent Frazier. The Illini will be Notre Dame's first big test and will serve as a chance to build their tournament resume. The last week of November will be a nice segway into conference play.
December:
Game Schedule:
At. Boston College, December 3rd
Vs. Kentucky, December 11th
Vs. Indiana, December 18th (Crossroads Classic)
Vs. Western Michigan, December 20th
Vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, December 22nd
At. Pitt, December 28th
The Irish will open start December with their first game of conference play at Boston college and will be tested through the last month of 2021. The Irish will play two high level non-conference teams in mid-December before getting two opportunities for winnable contests at home. The Irish will close off the year in Pittsburgh where they will face a young Pitt team. December is a month where the Irish will likely need to go at least 4-2 to consider it successful. To make the tournament, these are the types of months where teams need to stack wins.
January:
Game Schedule:
Vs. Duke, January 1st
Vs. North Carolina, January 5th
At. Georgia Tech January 8th
Vs. Clemson, January 12th
At. Virginia Tech, January 15th
At. Howard, January 17th
At. Louisville, January 22nd
Vs. NC State, January 26th
Vs. Virginia, January 29th
After a lighter month of December, the Irish will be tested multiple times a week in January by nearly all of the top teams in the ACC. A stretch of Duke, North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Clemson, and Virginia to open the New Year will likely reveal whether the Irish are true contenders in the league or not. After the toughest stretch of the season, the Irish will play a historical game against Howard in DC which serves as a nice break in a long stretch of ACC games. To end the month the Irish have a shot to pick up a few wins at Purcell Pavillion before hitting the road again at the beginning of February. January will likely be Notre Dame's toughest month by far.
February:
Game Schedule:
At. Miami, February 2nd
At. NC State, February 5th
Vs. Louisville, February 9th
At. Clemson, February 12th
Vs. Boston College, February 16th
At. Wake Forest, February 19th
Vs. Syracuse, February 22nd
Vs. Georgia Tech, February 26th
If the Irish haven't learned by now, February will teach them that the ACC doesn't ever let up, even if the top teams aren't playing. If the Irish play at their best, they could win every game in February, but every team on the slate won't go down without a fight. February will be the make or break month for Notre Dame's tournament chances, will they beat the teams in their wheelhouse? Or will they let a few winnable games slip through their hands?
March:
Game Schedule:
(Regular Season) Game Schedule:
At. Florida State, March 2nd
Vs. Pittsburgh, March 5th
THIS IS MARCH... The Irish will return to Florida State for the first time since their collapse their in 2019, the Seminoles will be at the top of the league once again and playing them will likely be Notre Dame's last regular season chance at a ranked win. Everything comes down to the ACC tournament though, and hopefully for the Irish they will be playing in the big dance again at the end of the month.
Although an ACC schedule is never easy, Notre Dame has more opportunities for winnable games than in past years and will need to capitalize on them early. The ACC could be down once again and if Notre Dame can pick up wins against most teams on their level, they could be dancing. In past years it would've taken ranked win after ranked win but this season is filled with opportunity for the Irish.
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