STANFORD, Calif. — Notre Dame opens Atlantic Coast Conference play tonight with a cross-country test, taking on Stanford in a late tip that marks the start of a new league chapter for both programs.
The Irish enter ACC action at 9–4, leaning heavily on a young core as they navigate injuries and early-season adjustments. Freshman Jalen Haralson has emerged as a steady scoring presence, reaching the 20-point mark in three of the past four games while leading scorer Markus Burton remains sidelined.
Haralson’s production has been paired with a recent surge from Braeden Shrewsberry, who is averaging nearly 16 points over his last five games. Shrewsberry has also been one of Notre Dame’s most reliable perimeter threats, ranking among the ACC’s top three-point shooters entering league play.
Notre Dame is looking to rebound from a recent loss to Purdue Fort Wayne, a setback that capped a nonconference stretch defined by inconsistency but also growth from the Irish’s younger rotation.
Stanford enters the matchup at 11–2, bringing momentum and a strong nonconference résumé into its ACC debut season. The Cardinal have been difficult to beat at home and present a challenge for a Notre Dame team opening conference play on the road and three time zones from home.
Tipoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. Eastern time, giving Notre Dame a chance to make an early statement in league play while testing its depth, poise and shooting against a confident Stanford squad.
For the Irish, the opening night of ACC play offers both urgency and opportunity — a chance to stabilize after a recent loss and establish an early footing in a conference race that figures to be tightly contested.