Rock, chalk, grudge
The start of the Notre Dame Men’s Basketball season is taking shape with the announcement of Notre Dame’s opponents in the Players Era Championship.
From the ND press release:
Irish Learn First Two Players Era Opponents
Will open Players Era against Kansas and then a rematch against Rutgers
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The 2025 version of the Players Era Men’s Championship is even bigger and better than the inaugural version, which launched a year ago. The number of teams on the men’s side more than doubled, going from eight to 18, with some of the biggest names in college basketball joining Notre Dame in Las Vegas.
Up first, a program the Fighting Irish have not seen on the hardwood since the 1987-88 season – the Kansas Jayhawks. Notre Dame and Kansas will square off on Monday, November 24, at 3:30 p.m. ET. The Irish ultimately own a 9-3 advantage in the series.
Both Notre Dame and Kansas rank in the top eight all-time list for program wins. The Fighting Irish will enter the season just 22 wins away from 2,000.
On the very next day, the Irish will have an opportunity for a grudge rematch against Rutgers at 1 p.m. ET. Last season, ND lost an 84-85 overtime heartbreaker to the Scarlet Knights. Matt Allocco put on a show with a 24-point, 10-rebound, double-double, forcing overtime with a dramatic three, and then drained three more treys in a 30-second span in OT. Notre Dame still owns a 21-14 lead in the all-time series.
In a slight schedule change from last year, Notre Dame will play three games in three days, with their Wednesday opponent TBD based on results.
The Players Era Men’s Championship will release more info in the coming weeks, including game location and TV designations. Fan info can be found on the tournament website at playersera.com.