VIDEO: Purdue women's basketball coach Katie Gearlds, associate head coach Kelly Komara preview Notre Dame
Sunday is the first regular-season meeting between the programs since 2012.
What was considered one of the best rivalries in women’s college basketball finally resumes Sunday.
Although an in-state matchup, Purdue and Notre Dame were required viewing for more than a decade when the two programs squared off. The series is back Sunday with this year’s game at Notre Dame and next year’s matchup at Mackey Arena.
The hope is the series will continue beyond the next two meetings.
Gearlds and Komara, both of whom played against the Fighting Irish during their time with the Boilermakers, talk about the series and what it means to the program and the state of Indiana.
The two programs last played in the NCAA tournament in 2017 with Notre Dame winning in overtime. But Sunday is the first scheduled game since 2012, more than 10 years ago.
Purdue leads the overall series 14-13 but Notre Dame has won eight in a row and 9 of the last 10. The Boilermakers’ last victory came in 2005 and their last win in South Bend was in 2003.
The Irish beat the Boilermakers in the 2001 national title game in St. Louis. Komara and current Notre Dame head coach Niele Ivey played in that game. Notre Dame is honoring former head coach Muffet McGraw with a statue prior to Sunday’s game.
Photo: Associate head coach Kelly Komara (left), head coach Katie Gearlds prior to a Purdue game (Dave Wegiel Photography)
Jones update
The status of freshman Rashunda Jones remains unclear. Jones, a native of South Bend, has missed the last two games. She was labeled a medical scratch prior to the victory over SEMO, although Gearlds said Jones was a healthy scratch after the game.
“I think she’s getting close,” Gearlds said. “I think it’s going to be, what time is the Big Ten (availability reports), three hours before? That will tell you whether she’s playing or not.”
Don’t put a lot of stock in this but Jones was seen going through the layup line prior to Saturday’s practice. It doesn’t mean she’ll play.