“That’s the plan,” Paige Bueckers said after their loss to Tennessee regarding 2024-25 being her last campaign. Though she is keeping a crack open for a varied decision, that’s the plan for now, she doubled down. One of UConn’s only best players without a championship? That’s not a sight anyone wishes on. But the opponents aren’t letting her have it easy. UCLA has been dominant through and through, South Carolina and LSU aren’t slowing down, and Notre Dame? We’ll get to it.

On a recent episode of Courtside Club, Rachel DeMita asked Notre Dame sophomore guard Hannah Hidalgo about her team’s goals for the season. “Prayerfully, that’s the goal—especially with my teammates and coaches. We’re here to win. We’re focused on keeping the main thing the main thing, and it’s not just about reaching the Final Four; it’s about winning the national championship,” she replied.

The Fighting Irish are on a 16-game win streak, including victories over UConn and Texas. More recently, they have managed a 41-point win margin over Stanford and a 39-point over California. Hidalgo, named mid-season Naismith’s Women’s Player of the Year, has been leading the team in both scoring and defense. She’s averaging 25.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game. In doing so, they have moved up to no.2 on national rankings, only trailing unbeaten UCLA.

There’s dedication behind it, Hidalgo reveals. The Fighting Irish have been coming in as a team, and there’s no stopping them; thanks to a practice they have adapted in the locker room.

“I think we’re being a lot more intentional this year about spending time together as a team. We do Bible studies, with each player taking turns hosting, and every session is different depending on the person leading it. Rotating like this has really helped build our chemistry,” she adds.

It seems to have worked; for the Fighting Irish are witnessing their best ranking in 6 years, while remaining unbeaten in their conference 12-0. UConn Huskies, on the other hand, have slipped to 7th spot after their loss to Tennessee. That was their 3rd Quad-1 loss and the next game against red hot South Carolina isn’t making it easy for Paige Bueckers & Co. Could we be looking at a new finalist here?

Wooden Award nods as Notre Dame rises

Notre Dame’s impressive season continues, with the Fighting Irish sitting second in the overall rankings and two of their stars earning national recognition. Hannah Hidalgo and Olivia Miles have been named among the top 20 players of the season and are in the race for the prestigious Wooden Award—the college basketball equivalent of the Heisman Trophy, given to the nation’s best player.

The top 20 list was announced Tuesday evening, with Paige Bueckers as the clear favorite. A frontrunner for the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, Bueckers is aiming for her second Wooden Award after winning as a freshman in 2021.

However, Hidalgo has emerged as a serious contender, leading Notre Dame with standout performances. Meanwhile, Miles has also earned a spot on the list, averaging 16 points, six rebounds, and six assists per game. With both Hidalgo and Bueckers vying for college basketball’s highest honors, their paths seem destined to cross. Whether through prayer or pure talent, Hidalgo’s rise threatens to stand in the way of Bueckers’ storybook ending—setting the stage for an unforgettable showdown.