Iowa women draw Notre Dame for 2018 Big Ten/ACC Challenge

Irish are the defending NCAA champions

Iowa Hawkeyes guard Kathleen Doyle (22) and Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Marina Mabrey (3) chase a loose ball during the first half of a game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Iowa Hawkeyes guard Kathleen Doyle (22) and Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Marina Mabrey (3) chase a loose ball during the first half of a game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)

IOWA CITY — The Iowa Hawkeyes will get a good measuring stick early.

As good as it gets, actually.

Iowa will face defending NCAA champion Notre Dame on Nov. 29 as part of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge women’s basketball event at South Bend, Ind.

A time has not yet been announced.

The Hawkeyes are coming off a 24-8 season and reached the NCAA tournament for the first time in three years. They return consensus all-American Megan Gustafson, and most of the rest of their roster.

Iowa is ranked 17th preseason by ESPN; Notre Dame is No. 1.

It will be the fourth meeting between the teams, the first in South Bend. Notre Dame won the first three, all at Iowa City. That includes a 74-57 verdict in the second round of the 2013 NCAA tournament. The Irish won, 73-58, as part of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge on Nov. 30, 2016. In that game, Iowa fell behind 21-7 early, then rallied within two points in the third quarter before Notre Dame pulled away.

Iowa women's basketball 2018-19 schedule

(so far)

Nov. 23 — West Virginia (Junkanoo Jam, at Bimini, Bahamas)

Nov. 24 — TBA (Junkanoo Jam, at Bimini, Bahamas)

Nov. 29 — at Notre Dame (Big Ten/ACC Challenge)

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com

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