Geno Auriemma’s UConn Huskies beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 70-52 in the Elite Eight on Sunday. They will now play either Dawn Staley’s South Carolina or Mark Campbell’s TCU in their 25th Final Four. The game turned out to be a comfortable win for Geno’s team despite doubts over UConn getting the first test this season against an in-form Notre Dame.
Hannah Hidalgo and Notre Dame were in brilliant momentum. Niele Ivey’s team was commendable in the Sweet 16 victory over Mikayla Blakes’ Vanderbilt. Hidalgo recorded an impressive triple-double with 31 points, 11 rebounds,10 steals, and 7 assists. After beating Shea Ralph’s team, Hidalgo was ready to face her mentor, Auriemma. However, even with her double-double, the Huskies were just too good.
Nonetheless, Hidalgo’s inspired performances did not go unnoticed. In fact, Auriemma made sure to heap praise on her even before the game. He said it was difficult to play against a player like her, and he hadn’t seen a performance like hers against Vanderbilt in a long time.
After the game, Auriemma made a massive claim for the country’s second-highest scorer. He sidelined players like South Carolina’s Raven Johnson, TCU’s Olivia Miles, Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes, and Texas’ Madison Booker to laud Hidalgo.
A reporter started by saying that Hannah Hidalgo is one of the best point guards in the country, according to Geno Auriemma. Geno interrupted and said:
“Not one of the best. I think she is the best. Yeah. So, she’s got a little bit of that toughness, you know, and grit, like you said, and talent. And it’s rare. It’s rare that you find a player that is involved in every single play to the point where, like you have to whoever she’s guarding, you have to go hide them some place hoping that she’s not involved in that play. And she still manages to be involved in the play somehow someway.”
Fans React to Geno Auriemma’s High Praise For Hannah Hidalgo
Geno Auriemma further commended Hannah Hidalgo, saying:
“Not only offensively can she get wherever she wants to go, get any shot she wants, but defensively she probably causes more problems for your offense than any player in the country. I mean, you can deal with a shot blocker. You can deal with that, but you cannot deal with someone that every time you’re dribbling the ball, you’re more worried about where she is than who you’re passing it to. I just love watching her.”
Fans online agreed with Geno and appreciated the Notre Dame star.
“She’s the best player in the country. Sorry Sarah, you have help that she doesn’t,” one fan said.
“Geno knows what he’s talking about,” another fan commented.
“Thanks for the love coach. We know you’re nothing like the idiotic UConn fanclub,” one fan threw shade at the fans.
“She’s got unlimited hustle and effort. You can only respect it,” another fan praised.
“High praise,” one fan said.
Read more:
Hannah Hidalgo Warns Geno Auriemma After UConn HC Inquires About WNBA Eligibility
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