Notre Dame Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Fighting Irish

Key Non-Conference Games

Nov 24 – vs DePaul
Nov 27 – vs Illinois
Dec 4 – Oklahoma (Madison Square Garden)
Dec 8 – @ UCLA
Dec 15 – Purdue (Indianapolis, IN)

Notre Dame does not exactly have the toughest non-conference schedule but it might be good for them to get their feet wet before heading into ACC play. They should easily win their first six games before they hit their tough stretch of games.

DePaul and Illinois are not the greatest teams, but they should provide a decent test for the Irish before they hit their three games stretch against tournament teams from last year. Both of DePaul and Illinois should be wins for the Irish but at least they are upper-level teams, unlike the teams they play early in the season.

Oklahoma lost a good amount from last season (see Trae Young), but still should be a talented group and Notre Dame will have to play well to beat them. A trip out to UCLA will be a tough test for the Irish. The Bruins are very young but very talented. The Irish will have to play well if they expect to win this game on the road.

Purdue is their last real test of the non-conference schedule as they face them in Indianapolis at the annual Crossroads Classic. Purdue is a little down from last year but with Carsen Edwards returning it will be a tough game for Notre Dame. If they can win this game it will be a big boost for them moving into ACC play.