Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo Shines Despite Loss to UConn in Elite Eight

The star guard put up impressive stats but couldn't lead the Fighting Irish to victory over the Huskies.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 6:51pm

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An abstract, energetic painting in neon colors depicting a basketball player driving to the hoop, their movements blurred and distorted, capturing the intensity and dynamism of the game.Hidalgo's relentless energy and two-way impact kept Notre Dame in the game, but UConn's depth and experience ultimately proved too much to overcome.Notre Dame Today

In a highly anticipated Elite Eight matchup, Notre Dame's star guard Hannah Hidalgo went toe-to-toe with UConn's Azzi Fudd. Hidalgo had a strong performance, recording 14 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal, but it wasn't enough as Notre Dame fell to the Huskies. Hidalgo has been a dominant force in the NCAA tournament, averaging 26.7 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, and 8.7 steals per game.

Why it matters

Hidalgo has emerged as one of the biggest stars in women's college basketball, and her battle with Fudd was a showcase of the next generation of elite WNBA talent. Despite the loss, Hidalgo's performance solidified her status as a top prospect for the upcoming draft.

The details

Hidalgo struggled with her shooting efficiency, going 5-for-14 from the field and 1-for-2 from three-point range. However, she made her presence felt in other areas, grabbing 9 rebounds and dishing out 2 assists. Hidalgo's relentless motor and two-way impact kept Notre Dame in the game, but UConn's depth and experience ultimately proved too much to overcome.

  • The Elite Eight matchup between Notre Dame and UConn took place on Sunday, March 29, 2026.

The players

Hannah Hidalgo

The star guard for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Hidalgo has been one of the most dominant players in women's college basketball during the 2026 NCAA tournament.

Azzi Fudd

The standout guard for the UConn Huskies, Fudd is a formidable talent and the reigning Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA tournament.

Geno Auriemma

The legendary head coach of the UConn Huskies, Auriemma has led the program to numerous national championships over his illustrious career.

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What they’re saying

“Hannah Hidalgo is perhaps women's college basketball's biggest star in 2026. She showed out against the Huskies.”

— David Suggs, Author

What’s next

Hidalgo will now turn her attention to the upcoming WNBA draft, where she is expected to be one of the top selections. Her performance in the NCAA tournament has only bolstered her draft stock and cemented her status as a rising star in the women's game.

The takeaway

Despite the loss, Hidalgo's dominant tournament run has solidified her place as one of the most exciting young talents in women's basketball. Her ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor makes her a must-watch player, and her future in the WNBA looks incredibly bright.