The hype surrounding the Notre Dame women's basketball team's game against UConn was unreal. That tends to happen when you
Dec 12, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Fans including Notre Dame head football coach Marcus Freeman (far left) WNBA player Skylar Diggins (center) and WNBA player Arike Ogunbuwale (right, in cap) watch during the first half of the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Connecticut Huskies at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images
The hype surrounding the Notre Dame women's basketball team's game against UConn was unreal. That tends to happen when you bring together not only two national championship contenders, but teams that have battled it out many times in the past while being among the best in the country then, too.
A game like this deserved to have some of the more prominent names connected to Notre Dame and beyond in attendance, and that's exactly what happened. Although Niele Ivey reserved her praise for what she said was the biggest student body turnout ever for a women's basketball game on campus, the presence of one famous face after another showcased how big this game was.
Here are the notable names who showed up for the Irish's 79-68 victory. While most of these names have some relation to Notre Dame, you might be surprised by the presence of at least one of them:
Arike Ogunbowale
DALLAS, TEXAS - OCTOBER 24: Arike Ogunbowale of the Dallas Wings watches as the Dallas Mavericks take on the San Antonio Spurs during the foruth quarter at American Airlines Center on October 24, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
Not only did Arike Ogunbowale welcome Hannah Hidalgo to the Red Bull family, but she also showed up to practice. She spoke to the team after the game, too.
Skylar Diggins-Smith
Dec 7, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; WNBA player Skylar Diggins cheers in the fourth quarter of the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Connecticut Huskies at the Purcell Pavilion. UConn won 72-61. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Skylar Diggins-Smith congratulated Hidalgo after the victory. She also was at practice the day before.
Jewell Loyd
Feb 29, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; WNBA Seattle Storm player Jewell Loyd smiles as she watches in the first half of the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Virginia Tech Hokies at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
It was great to see Jewell Loyd at the game even in the middle of trade talks during her own career.
Marina Mabrey
Oct 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Connecticut Sun guard Marina Mabrey (4) warms up before game five of the 2024 WNBA playoffs against the Minnesota Lynx at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Marina Mabrey rounded out the list of former Irish players in attendance.
Marcus Freeman
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - DECEMBER 12: Olivia Miles #5 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is congratulated by head football coach Marcus Freeman after the game against the UConn Huskies at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center on December 12, 2024 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Marcus Freeman has attended his fair share of Irish basketball games, and there was no way he was missing this one.
Riley Leonard
Nov 9, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) leaves the field following a 52-3 victory over the Florida State Seminoles at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images
As the football team's starting quarterback, Riley Leonard is one of the faces of the team. He simply had to be there.
Xavier Watts
Sep 28, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Xavier Watts (0) celebrates after an interception against the Louisville Cardinals in the second quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images
Xavier Watts is one of the more prominent defensive players on the Irish football team, and he had to like some of what he saw.
Benjamin Morrison
Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison walks onto the field before a NCAA college football game against Virginia at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in South Bend.
Just like Watts, Benjamin Morrison is one of the faces of the football team's defense and had to like what was on display.
Greg Oden
Butler Bulldogs Director of Basketball Operations Greg Oden looks on from the sideline in the first half of the NCAA Big East basketball game between the Xavier Musketeers and the Butler Bulldogs at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024.
This one might be surprising, but Greg Oden played at Ohio State at the same time as Freeman. The two obviously have a relationship as evidenced by an embrace they shared at the game.
This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Famous faces turn out for Notre Dame women's basketball win over UConn
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