Hidalgo Shines as Sweet 16 Heats Up!

Hidalgo Steals the Show in Women’s Sweet 16 Buzz

The women’s NCAA tournament is delivering thrilling upsets and standout performances. After a wild Round of 32, the focus shifts to the Sweet 16, and one player is already capturing everyone’s attention: Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo. Stephen A. Smith himself is a massive fan, calling her a “little feisty thing going out there balling” and admitting he “can’t take my eyes off of watching her play.” His enthusiasm is shared by many, and for good reason.

Hidalgo’s Historic Night

In Notre Dame’s upset victory over Ohio State, Hidalgo nearly recorded a triple-double. She put up 26 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and dished out 8 assists. Even more impressive, she became the first player in NCAA tournament history to achieve 25 points, 10 boards, and 8 steals in a single game. This all-around performance highlights her impact on both ends of the court.

“I LOVE that girl, Hadalgo. I MEAN, I I LOVE HER. I MEAN, LITTLE FEISTY THING GOING OUT THERE BALLING.” – Stephen A. Smith

Analyst Andrea Carter agrees, calling Hidalgo “electric” and an “exciting two-way player.” Carter noted that Hidalgo “gets it done on both ends of the floor,” a skill that will be crucial as she faces a tough assignment against Vanderbilt. Hidalgo’s ability to impact the game in so many ways makes her a must-watch player as the tournament progresses.

Other Stars Ready to Shine

While Hidalgo is making waves, she’s not the only superstar lighting up the tournament. Madison Booker of Texas had a historic performance herself, scoring 40 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and adding 5 assists in a win over Oregon. Her 40 points set a new program record for most points in an NCAA tournament game. Over at Arizona, A.J. Fudge tied her career-high with 34 points, hitting eight three-pointers against Syracuse. She joined Kia Nurse as the only UConn players to make that many threes in a tournament game.

Carter also pointed to Joyce Edwards of South Carolina as a player to watch. Edwards is averaging an impressive 25 points and 9 rebounds in the tournament, with a season average of 20 points per game. She’s been a dominant force, but Carter is particularly interested to see how Edwards performs in a rematch against Oklahoma. In their previous matchup, Edwards struggled, shooting just 3-of-12 from the field for her lowest percentage of the season. Carter sees this as a chance for Edwards to “figure it out and get some revenge,” showcasing her ability to adjust against the same opponent.

UCLA and Lauren Betts Eyeing UConn

Another player on Carter’s radar is Lauren Betts of UCLA. The two-time All-American is seen as a key reason why UCLA has a shot against UConn. UCLA, with only one loss on the season, has been making a strong case for a national championship. However, they struggled against UConn in last year’s Final Four. Betts also had a less-than-ideal game against Texas in their only loss this season.

Carter believes Betts’ increased mobility on both offense and defense this season is a major factor. UCLA’s coach, Cori Close, is using Betts all over the court, taking advantage of her ability to move effectively. This is especially important against UConn’s offense, which spreads teams out with its spacing and cutting. Carter emphasized that for UCLA to have a chance against UConn, their offense needs to be confident and aggressive, not just Betts, but everyone around her. “Having fluid offense and being confident offensively and being able to score against Connecticut is what lets you set up your defense,” Carter explained.

Offense as Defense Against Huskies

The strategy against UConn hinges on offensive execution. If UCLA can score efficiently and maintain spacing, it will prevent UConn from getting into transition and slow down their fast-paced offense. Carter highlighted that sometimes, a strong offense is the best defense. When opponents feel they can’t stop a team’s scoring, it adds pressure to every offensive possession. This point was echoed by the discussion about UCLA’s new additions, like Nakans and Walker, who are shooting around 44% from three-point range. These perimeter threats are crucial for spacing the floor and keeping UConn’s defense honest.

The addition of these new pieces has made UCLA a cohesive unit, fitting together “like a puzzle.” However, the ultimate test will be on the biggest stage. If UCLA faces UConn in the national championship, it will be the ultimate test of how well these new players perform under the brightest lights and on the grandest stage in college basketball.

Source: Stephen A.'s players to watch in the Women's Sweet 16: I LOVE that girl Hidalgo! | First Take (YouTube)