Where Notre Dame Women’s Basketball Stands in the March Madness 2025 Tournament Bracket

As the March Madness tournament approaches in 2025, the Notre Dame Women’s Basketball team has firmly established itself as one of the premier programs in the nation. With a storied history in the NCAA Tournament, a dynamic roster, and the leadership of head coach Niele Ivey, the Fighting Irish are poised to make a significant run in this year’s tournament. As one of the most decorated programs in NCAA women’s basketball, Notre Dame enters the 2025 tournament with high expectations, a strong regular-season performance, and a clear goal of adding another national championship banner to their collection.

In this article, we will examine where Notre Dame stands in the 2025 March Madness bracket, analyzing their seeding, their path to the Final Four, key players to watch, and what their chances are of winning it all. We will also discuss the challenges they will face in the tournament, as well as how the team has prepared for this year’s highly competitive field.

Notre Dame Women’s Basketball: A Program in Contention

Before delving into the specifics of the 2025 bracket, it’s important to understand the stature of the Notre Dame women’s basketball program. The team has been a consistent contender in the NCAA Tournament for several decades, winning the national championship in 2001 and 2018, and making nine Final Four appearances in total. Under the leadership of Niele Ivey, who took over as head coach in 2020, Notre Dame has continued to maintain its reputation as one of the top women’s basketball programs in the country.

Notre Dame’s commitment to elite recruiting, strong team chemistry, and a high-powered offense has made them a force to be reckoned with. Ivey, a former standout player for the Irish, has continued the program’s winning tradition while infusing her own style into the team’s playbook. With a balanced and talented roster, Notre Dame is expected to make a deep run in the tournament, positioning itself as one of the favorites in the race for the national title.

Seeding and Placement in the 2025 Bracket

As the 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament bracket was revealed, Notre Dame’s seed and placement immediately drew attention. Based on their impressive regular-season performance, Notre Dame earned a No. 2 seed in the tournament, which places them among the top 16 teams in the nation. Their ranking reflects their consistent success throughout the season and their standing as one of the best teams in the country.

The No. 2 seed in the bracket is a significant achievement, as it gives the Fighting Irish a favorable path through the tournament, including the potential for a home-court advantage in the early rounds. The tournament’s structure, which places the top seeds in different regional brackets, ensures that Notre Dame will not face some of the toughest competition until the later rounds. However, the Irish still have a challenging road ahead, with potential matchups against tough opponents from across the country.

Regional Placement

Notre Dame was placed in the Chattanooga Region of the bracket for the 2025 tournament. As a No. 2 seed in this region, the Irish will begin their tournament run with a matchup against No. 15 seed, Morgan State, a historically strong team from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). While Notre Dame is heavily favored in this opening game, the tournament’s unpredictable nature means that they must still approach every matchup with caution and preparation.

The Chattanooga Region includes several competitive teams, including the No. 1 seed in the region, Stanford, which has consistently been one of the top teams in women’s college basketball for many years. With Stanford as a potential hurdle, Notre Dame will need to be at its best in order to secure a spot in the Final Four.

Key Opponents in Notre Dame’s Region

Several top-ranked teams in the Chattanooga Region pose significant challenges to the Irish’s goal of advancing to the Final Four. Here are some of the key teams that could stand in Notre Dame’s way:

1. Stanford Cardinal (No. 1 Seed) – Stanford enters the tournament as the top seed in the Chattanooga Region. The Cardinal have a deep roster, including talented forwards and guards, and have been a consistent championship contender. A matchup with Stanford would be a high-stakes game and could determine Notre Dame’s path to the Final Four.
2. North Carolina Tar Heels (No. 3 Seed) – North Carolina has had a standout season in 2025, finishing high in the ACC standings and earning a No. 3 seed in the bracket. The Tar Heels are known for their physical style of play and would present a challenge for Notre Dame in the later rounds.
3. UConn Huskies (No. 4 Seed) – Although not in Notre Dame’s region, UConn, as a perennial powerhouse, is always a potential threat in the tournament. If the Irish and Huskies were to meet in the Final Four or Championship, it would be a battle of two of the most storied programs in women’s basketball.
4. Louisville Cardinals (No. 5 Seed) – A strong ACC rival, Louisville has been a consistent performer in recent years. The Cardinals have a solid defense and a potent offense, making them a tough opponent for anyone, including Notre Dame.

While the road ahead is filled with formidable teams, Notre Dame has the talent and experience to navigate these challenges. The Fighting Irish will need to focus on playing their best basketball, particularly in the later rounds when the competition intensifies.

Key Players to Watch for Notre Dame

A major reason for Notre Dame’s success in the 2025 season is the team’s outstanding players. As the tournament begins, several key players are expected to carry the Irish through the competition and potentially to the Final Four. Here are the top players to watch:

Olivia Miles – Point Guard

Olivia Miles, a standout sophomore guard, has been a revelation for Notre Dame since her arrival. Her ability to run the offense, create scoring opportunities, and play tough defense has made her one of the best players in the country. Miles is known for her high basketball IQ, her court vision, and her leadership abilities. She has a knack for distributing the ball to her teammates and is a scoring threat in transition. In March Madness, Miles will be crucial for Notre Dame’s success, as she will need to orchestrate the offense and make key plays in clutch moments.

Maddy Westbeld – Forward

Maddy Westbeld, a junior forward, is another key piece of Notre Dame’s puzzle. Known for her scoring versatility, Westbeld has the ability to hit shots from the outside as well as dominate in the post. Her rebounding and defensive skills are also top-notch, making her a well-rounded player that can impact the game in a variety of ways. Westbeld’s leadership and experience will be invaluable as Notre Dame faces off against some of the best teams in the country.

Dara Mabrey – Guard

Dara Mabrey, a graduate guard, is a dynamic shooter and veteran presence for the Irish. She brings an offensive spark to the team and has the ability to heat up from beyond the arc, making her a potential game-changer. Mabrey’s ability to shoot from anywhere on the floor, coupled with her experience in high-pressure situations, makes her a crucial player for Notre Dame in March Madness.

Lauren Ebo – Center

Lauren Ebo, a 6’4” senior center, has been an anchor for Notre Dame in the paint, both offensively and defensively. Her ability to score in the post and grab rebounds will be critical for the Irish as they face physical opponents throughout the tournament. Ebo’s presence in the middle allows Notre Dame to control the boards and limit second-chance opportunities for their opponents.

Michaela Onyenwere – Forward

Michaela Onyenwere is a strong defensive player and one of Notre Dame’s most reliable forwards. Her ability to guard both bigs and guards, as well as her knack for creating turnovers, makes her a versatile weapon for the Fighting Irish. Onyenwere’s scoring ability, particularly in transition and on the fast break, will be crucial for Notre Dame in the tournament.

Notre Dame’s Path to the Final Four

Notre Dame’s road to the Final Four in the 2025 tournament will depend on several factors, including how well they execute their game plan, manage turnovers, and handle the intensity of the tournament environment. Here’s a look at what the team will need to do to reach the Final Four and beyond:

Defense and Rebounding

Notre Dame will need to tighten its defense and focus on rebounding. Against some of the high-scoring teams in their bracket, the Irish must limit second-chance points and lock down their opponents’ top players. Players like Lauren Ebo will be critical in the paint, while Maddy Westbeld and Michaela Onyenwere will need to be strong on the defensive end.

Efficient Offense

The Fighting Irish are known for their high-powered offense, and their ability to score efficiently will be key in tournament games. Olivia Miles will need to continue distributing the ball effectively, while Dara Mabrey and Maddy Westbeld will need to hit timely shots from the perimeter and in the paint. The offense must be fluid, with an emphasis on ball movement and creating high-quality shots.

Clutch Play in High-Pressure Moments

March Madness is known for its unpredictable outcomes, and Notre Dame will need to be prepared for close, high-pressure games. Players like Dara Mabrey and Olivia Miles, who have experience in big moments, will need to step up and make key plays when the game is on the line. The ability to perform in clutch situations will be a significant factor in Notre Dame’s ability to advance to the Final Four and contend for a national title.