UConn's Geno Auriemma Compares Notre Dame Star to Lawrence Taylor

Auriemma praises Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo ahead of Elite Eight matchup with UConn

Mar. 29, 2026 at 4:25pm

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UConn head coach Geno Auriemma heaped high praise on Notre Dame star Hannah Hidalgo, comparing her defensive impact to NFL legend Lawrence Taylor. Hidalgo is coming off a historic triple-double performance in the Sweet 16, and Auriemma believes she has the ability to 'disrupt and cause chaos like nobody I've ever seen.' The two teams will meet in the Elite Eight with a Final Four berth on the line.

Why it matters

This highly anticipated matchup between UConn and Notre Dame features two of the top women's basketball programs in the country. Auriemma's comparison of Hidalgo to one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history underscores just how dominant and impactful she has been for the Fighting Irish this postseason. The winner will advance to the Final Four, making this a crucial game with major implications for both teams' national championship aspirations.

The details

Hidalgo is averaging 26.7 points, 11 rebounds and nearly 9 steals per game this postseason for Notre Dame. In the Sweet 16 win over Vanderbilt, she recorded a triple-double with 31 points, 11 rebounds and 10 steals, becoming just the second woman to accomplish that feat in NCAA tournament history. When the two teams met in the regular season, UConn held Hidalgo to 16 points on 5-of-15 shooting, but she still managed to score 10 of Notre Dame's final 12 points before halftime.

  • UConn and Notre Dame will face off in the Elite Eight on March 29, 2026.
  • When the teams met in the regular season on January 19, 2026, UConn won 85-47.

The players

Geno Auriemma

The head coach of the UConn Huskies women's basketball team, who has led the program to 11 national championships.

Hannah Hidalgo

A star guard for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who is coming off a historic triple-double performance in the Sweet 16.

Lawrence Taylor

A legendary NFL linebacker who played for the New York Giants and is considered one of the greatest defensive players in football history.

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What they’re saying

“Have you seen Hannah Hidalgo play? Man, I don't think I've seen a performance like what she had yesterday in a long, long time. She's like the Lawrence Taylor of basketball.”

— Geno Auriemma, Head Coach, UConn Huskies

“She's just a unique player that comes along once in a lifetime, and she has the ability to disrupt and cause chaos like nobody I've ever seen. I think her team obviously feeds off that.”

— Geno Auriemma, Head Coach, UConn Huskies

What’s next

The winner of the UConn-Notre Dame Elite Eight matchup will advance to the Final Four, where they will face the winner of the other Elite Eight game.

The takeaway

This highly anticipated Elite Eight clash between two of the top women's basketball programs in the country will feature a battle between UConn's championship pedigree and Notre Dame's emerging star in Hannah Hidalgo. Auriemma's high praise of Hidalgo's defensive impact underscores the challenge the Huskies will face in trying to slow down the Fighting Irish and punch their ticket to the Final Four.