Zach Auguste scored 25 points, Jerian Grant added 17 and Notre Dame dodged a scare trying to erase its futile NCAA Tournament history with a 69-65 win over Northeastern on Thursday.
The Fighting Irish (30-5) will play the winner of Texas-Butler on Saturday.
The third-seeded Irish returned to the tournament after a one-year absence determined to build off their ACC Tournament title and make a deep run in March.
The Irish have traditionally struggled in the tournament under coach Mike Brey. They made only one Sweet 16 since 2001.
Northeastern (23-12) gave the Irish fits and threatened to keep Notre Dame’s March malaise going. Scott Eatherton had 18 points and David Walker 15.