After UConn’s 70-52 dismantling of Notre Dame in the NCAA Tournament, legendary coach Geno Auriemma didn’t just praise Hannah Hidalgo—he anointed her the best point guard in all of women’s college basketball, a claim that reverberates through the sport and cements her status as a generational talent.
The UConn women’s basketball machine rolled on Sunday with a 70-52 victory over Notre Dame in the NCAA Tournament, but the story wasn’t just about another win for the top-seeded Huskies. It was about Hannah Hidalgo, the Fighting Irish guard who delivered a heroic 22-point, 11-rebound, three-assist, three-steal performance in defeat, and the thunderous endorsement from UConn’s Geno Auriemma that followed, as documented by Athlon Sports.
In his postgame remarks, Auriemma, a Hall of Fame coach with six national championships, made a statement that turned heads: “Not one of the best, I think she is the best (point guard).” He elaborated, describing Hidalgo’s rare ability to impact every possession: “It’s rare… that you find a player that is involved in every single play. To the point where you, like, have to, whoever she’s guarding, you have to go hide them some place hoping she’s not involved in that play. And she still manages to be involved in the play, somehow, some way,” a sentiment captured in real-time by Sporting News.
This wasn’t just a casual compliment. Auriemma, known for his exacting standards, reserved the “best” label for a player who statistically dominated in every category. Hidalgo entered the game averaging 25.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 5.7 steals per contest over 35 games, with at least 22 points in each of her three seasons at Notre Dame. Her all-around brilliance is a rarity in modern basketball, and Auriemma’s assessment highlights how she elevates the game even in loss.
The box score tells a story of team disparity: UConn had three players in double figures, with Sarah Strong (21 points, seven rebounds, five steals, three blocks) and Blanca Quinonez (20 points) leading the charge. Notre Dame, by contrast, had no other scorer reach eight points. Yet, Hidalgo’s individual masterpiece—22 points on efficient shooting, 11 rebounds, three assists, three steals—was a testament to her two-way impact, a fact not lost on Auriemma.
- Hidalgo’s NCAA Tournament stat line: 22 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals
- UConn’s supporting cast: Sarah Strong (21 pts, 7 reb, 5 stl, 3 blk), Blanca Quinonez (20 pts)
- Season averages for Hidalgo: 25.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 5.3 APG, 5.7 SPG
- Seed disparity: UConn No. 1 overall, Notre Dame No. 6
For Notre Dame, this loss stings, but Hidalgo’s legacy is secure. At 21 years old, she has already established herself as a national player of the year candidate and a future WNBA star. Auriemma’s praise is more than a postgame nicety; it’s a recognition of a player who redefines the point guard role with her defensive tenacity and offensive creation. In an era where guard play is often specialized, Hidalgo’s ability to affect the game in all four quadrants is why she’s drawing comparisons to all-time greats.
UConn, meanwhile, continues its march toward a potential championship. With a balanced attack and defensive intensity, the Huskies look unstoppable. But Auriemma’s focus on Hidalgo reminds us that even in victory, the greatest coaches respect transcendent talent. This moment isn’t just about UConn’s dominance; it’s about the emergence of a singular force in women’s basketball who, even in defeat, commands the admiration of her sport’s most iconic figure.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Hannah Hidalgo. Whether she leads Notre Dame on a future run or pursues professional glory, Auriemma’s endorsement will follow her, a badge of honor from the game’s ultimate authority. For fans, this is a reminder that greatness often shines brightest in loss, and that the best point guard in the country wears blue and gold—even if her team didn’t win this day.
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