Hannah Hidalgo Shines as Notre Dame Stuns UConn in Thrilling Showdown
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — It was the kind of game that reminds you why college basketball is so electrifying. The No. 8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish faced off against the No. 2 UConn Huskies in a high-stakes battle that had fans on the edge of their seats. By the third quarter, Notre Dame’s once-comfortable 13-point lead had dwindled to a single point, and the momentum seemed to be slipping away. But then, Hannah Hidalgo happened.
With the clock ticking down, the sophomore guard delivered a moment that will be etched in Notre Dame lore. Hidalgo launched a step-back three-pointer—her sixth of the night—over a UConn defender, and as the ball swished through the net, Purcell Pavilion erupted. The buzzer-beater not only restored Notre Dame’s control but also sent a clear message: Hidalgo is a star in the making.
Among the roaring crowd were three Notre Dame legends—Skylar Diggins-Smith, Arike Ogunbowale, and Marina Mabrey—sitting courtside. Ogunbowale, who famously hit a buzzer-beating three against UConn in the 2018 Final Four, couldn’t help but celebrate the rise of another Irish icon. “When I hit that shot, I was looking over (at Ogunbowale) like, ‘We in it too,’” Hidalgo said after Notre Dame’s 79-68 victory.
Hidalgo’s Case for National Player of the Year
It’s only been five weeks into the season, but Hidalgo is already making a strong case for national player of the year. Her 29-point, near-triple-double performance against UConn was nothing short of spectacular. For the second time in less than a year, she was the best player on the court against the Huskies, earning her the title of “Husky slayer.”
Here’s what makes her performance historic:
- Hidalgo became the first player in the past 25 seasons to record multiple games against UConn with at least 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists.
- She tied Sabrina Ionescu for the most such games versus an AP top-10 opponent.
- She achieved these feats before her 20th birthday.
UConn’s Paige Bueckers, the 2021 national player of the year, had an impressive 25 points on 11-for-20 shooting. But Hidalgo’s all-around impact was undeniable. She not only scored but also dominated on defense, grabbed 10 rebounds despite being just 5-foot-6, and assisted on 48 of Notre Dame’s 79 points (61%).
Big-Time Performances Against Top Teams
Thursday’s game wasn’t the first time Hidalgo has shone on the big stage. Just three weeks ago, she led Notre Dame to a 74-61 victory over then-No. 3 USC in Los Angeles. In that game, she outplayed JuJu Watkins, another preseason player of the year favorite, with 24 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, and 5 steals.
With Hidalgo’s brilliance against both USC and UConn, she has arguably positioned herself as the current front-runner for national player of the year. Fans who worried about how Hidalgo and Olivia Miles would gel in the backcourt can rest easy. The duo has been nothing short of dynamic, with Miles facilitating and Hidalgo putting up even better scoring numbers than last season.
Breaking Records and Making History
Before Thursday’s game, Hidalgo was honored for reaching the 1,000-point milestone in a school-record 44 games. She then went on to notch her 200th career steal in her 45th game, tying the fastest mark across all of Division I in the last 25 years. Her stats this season are jaw-dropping: 25.0 points per game (second in the country), 46.2% shooting from the field, 42.6% from three, 7.1 rebounds, 4.0 steals, and 3.8 assists per game.
Hidalgo attributes her on-court energy to what she calls “this dog,” a competitive fire that contrasts with her low-key personality off the court. Even NBA star Damian Lillard took notice, tweeting, “Hannah Hidalgo really one of them.”
What’s Next for Notre Dame?
Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey has high praise for Hidalgo, saying she always knew the New Jersey native would be special. “She always played with a chip on her shoulder. She always wears her heart on her sleeve, having that passion and that energy and the love and joy of the game,” Ivey said. “She’s different in such a unique way, the way that she plays, and she’s just stepped in, and she’s just growing and blossoming. She’s one of the best in the country.”
If Hidalgo continues her stellar play, she could become Notre Dame’s first national player of the year since Ruth Riley in 2001—the same year the Irish won their first national title. With a roster that includes potential WNBA draft picks like Miles and Sonia Citron, and the return of injured players Maddy Westbeld and Liza Karlen, this Notre Dame team has championship potential.
Though the Irish have two losses to TCU and Utah, their three top-five wins prove they’re a legitimate contender. Even UConn coach Geno Auriemma admitted, “If you put Notre Dame against any other team in the country, I don’t think anybody would be surprised if they won that game.”
After the game, Diggins-Smith embraced Hidalgo, passing the torch to the next generation of Notre Dame greatness. “Great job,” she told Hidalgo. “Keep going, OK? That’s how you play.”
Originally Written by: Alexa Philippou
