Hidalgo guides Notre Dame to Elite Eight vs UConn
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- Hidalgo said the team has improved since the January 19 loss, noting that UConn hasn't seen the best Notre Dame.
- Hidalgo previously posted 34 points, 10 rebounds and six assists as a freshman against UConn, and nearly a triple‑double with 29 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists as a sophomore.
- Hidalgo struggled in the January 19 game, scoring only 16 points on 5‑for‑15 shooting.
- Notre Dame won 10 of its last 11 games after February, with the sole loss being a two‑point defeat to Duke.
- Hidalgo recorded the second triple‑double in NCAA tournament history involving steals, finishing with 31 points, 11 rebounds, 10 steals and seven assists in the Friday win.
- Geno Auriemma compared Hidalgo to NFL defensive legend Lawrence Taylor, calling her a unique player who can disrupt and cause chaos.
- UConn leads the overall series 40‑16, but Notre Dame holds the most March Madness wins against the Huskies (five) and is the only program with a winning NCAA record against UConn.
Why it matters: Notre Dame’s recent 10‑of‑11 run and Hidalgo’s unprecedented triple‑double give the Irish a confidence boost that could challenge UConn’s 40‑16 series lead and its quest for a 17th Final Four, while UConn faces a more resilient opponent that could force a tougher path to back‑to‑back titles.
