Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo has made a name for herself this season as one of the most dominant players in women’s college basketball. With another strong performance, the sophomore guard has now earned ACC Player of the Week honors for the third time this season.
Not only has she been exceptional on the court, but she has also set multiple records, cementing her place in Notre Dame history. But is she the best college women’s basketball player in the country? Let’s take a look at her case.
Hannah Hidalgo Breaking Records, Leading the Irish
Hannah Hidalgo’s performance over the past week has been nothing short of impressive. She averaged 28 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and 4.5 steals in victories over No. 2 UConn and Eastern Michigan.
The standout stat, however, was her 58.1% shooting from the field, including 53.3% from three-point range and a perfect 12-for-12 from the free-throw line.
In the game against UConn, Hidalgo led Notre Dame to an 88-57 victory, scoring 29 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and adding 8 assists. She also made a career-high six three-pointers during the game on the way to the Irish’s third win over a top-five team this season.
Hidalgo’s incredible performance has not gone unnoticed. For the sixth time in her career, she earned the ACC Player of the Week distinction, passing Jewell Loyd for the most Player of the Week honors in Notre Dame history.
While Hidalgo’s success has been impressive, she has her sights set on something even bigger—winning a national championship.
“It’s not just to make the Final Four; it’s to win the national championship,” she said of the team’s goal for the season in a recent interview.
With a season average of 25.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.1 steals, Hidalgo has firmly placed herself in the race for the 2025 Wooden Award.
Her shooting stats—49% from the field and 42.1% from beyond the arc—show her all-around skills and scoring ability. Hidalgo has become one of the top players in college basketball, and her performances are only getting better as the season progresses.
Notre Dame’s Success Under Hidalgo’s Leadership
Hidalgo’s stellar play has significantly influenced Notre Dame’s continued success this season. The Fighting Irish improved to 23-2 after a dominant win over Pitt, extending their win streak to 18 games.
Despite a less-than-perfect game against Pitt, where Hidalgo shot just 3-of-17 from the field, she still contributed with 11 points and seven steals.
The game was ultimately highlighted by senior Olivia Miles’ school-record performance of eight three-pointers, which helped propel Notre Dame to the 88-57 victory. Even on an off night, Hidalgo’s presence on the court was felt, and she continued to lead the team.
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Hidalgo and the Irish will travel to South Florida on Thursday to take on the Miami Hurricanes at 7 p.m. ET. As the top-ranked team in the country, Notre Dame has a strong shot at securing a top seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament. With Hidalgo leading the way, they are on track for a deep postseason run and a potential national title.
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