Notre Dame vs Miami: Injury Report, Starting 5 and More as Hannah Hidalgo Looks to Further Cement Her NPOY Contention

Hannah Hidalgo isn’t just chasing the NPOY crown, she’s carrying the weight of Notre Dame’s legacy on her back, ensuring the Fighting Irish remain untouchable. But every team at the top faces challengers, and for Miami, this game is about more than just snapping a losing streak, it’s about proving they can take down the best.

Notre Dame has been nothing short of unstoppable, storming through an 18-game winning streak that has solidified them as the team to beat. Meanwhile, Miami is fighting to stay afloat, desperate to snap a four-game skid before their season spirals further. But stopping the Fighting Irish means stopping Hannah Hidalgo, an uphill task for any team.

The Miami Hurricanes will welcome Notre Dame to the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Florida, on Thursday, with tip-off set for 7:00 PM EST. The home crowd knows the challenge ahead, can they rally behind their team and pull off an upset against the high-flying Fighting Irish?

Are There Any Woes for Notre Dame and Miami?

While both teams prepare for battle, availability could play a crucial role. Notre Dame remains at full strength, aside from Emma Risch, who is sidelined for the season with a lingering hip injury. Meanwhile, Miami has a fully fit roster, a rare advantage in a must-win game.

Starting Lineup:

Miami Hurricanes – Natalija Marshall, Cameron Williams, Haley Cavinder, Jasmyne Roberts, Ahnay Adams.

Notre Dame – Maddy Westbeld, Hannah Hidalgo, Sonia Citron, Olivia Miles, Kate Koval.

Notre Dame’s dominance speaks for itself, undefeated in conference play (14-0) and riding an 18-game win streak. Their only two losses came in back-to-back matchups against TCU and Utah. Since then, they’ve been nothing short of relentless, winning by emphatic margins. Their last five victories? All by double digits, sending a clear message to the rest of the NCAA.

Their last game against Duke was not as high intensity as fans expected. But at this stage, getting the job done sustainably is what matters. Notre Dame controlled the game from start to finish, winning three quarters convincingly before coasting through a quiet fourth (14-14). The 64-49 scoreline? Just another day at the office for the dominant Fighting Irish.

Hannah Hidalgo continued her fine form by smashing 19 points and four assists in 38 minutes. With her consistent performances, the sophomore-year player remains the strongest of the candidates for the NPOY. Sonia Citron complemented Hannah Hidalgo well in the offense. The 21-year-old scored 15 points and collected seven rebounds in 36 minutes of play.

Miami’s last outing ended in the cruelest way possible, watching their rivals celebrate on their home floor after a last-second dagger. The buzzer sounded, and the scoreboard flashed 83-82, leaving Hurricanes fans in stunned silence. Now, they face an even bigger mountain to climb. Can they recover in time to stop Notre Dame’s rampage?

Their last game was a seesaw battle, swinging back and forth, setting up a thrilling finish. In the end, Miami fell by the slimmest of margins, another gut-wrenching loss in what’s becoming a brutal stretch for the Hurricanes. This was also a contest to forget for the defenders from both teams. Miami Hurricanes’ offensive clicked well, with Haley Cavinder bucketing 27 points and eight assists. Jasmyne Roberts and Natalija Marshall scored 16 and 15 points, respectively.

Miami has everything to gain and nothing to lose, but stopping Hannah Hidalgo is a different beast. Will this be the night the Hurricanes rewrite their season, or will Hidalgo’s dominance continue painting her path to NPOY glory?