“(Paige) Bueckers Too Busy Making TikTok Videos”: Hannah Hildago’s Statement Has NCAA World in Frenzy Amid Brewing Rivalry

Thursday’s showdown between Paige Bueckers’ UConn and Hannah Hidalgo’s Notre Dame was one of the most anticipated matchups of the season. With both teams ranked in the Top 10—UConn at No. 2 and Notre Dame at No. 8—expectations were sky-high. Safe to say they hit the mark as the Fighting Irish flipped the script.

Hannah Hidalgo stole the spotlight, dropping an impressive 29 points to lead Notre Dame to a stunning 79-68 victory, handing UConn their first loss of the season. From Huskies’ side, Paige Bueckers as always led the roster with 25 impressive points. Sarah Strong followed her with a 14-point contribution to the team’s total. Despite all efforts, they weren’t able to overcome the tough competition poured by Notre Dame.

The No. 8 Fighting Irish forced UConn into an abysmal 3-of-16 shooting from three-point range, while Notre Dame shot an impressive 10-of-18 from beyond the arc. That was pure dominance.

A critical factor in this game was the return of 6’2″ forward Liza Karlen. Suiting up for the first time since spraining her left ankle against Davenport, Karlen brought a spark to the team. Last season, she averaged 17.7 points and 7.9 rebounds, and her presence now provides much-needed bench strength after missing the first nine games.

Meanwhile, UConn faced challenges. The Huskies, playing their road game, were without star guard Azzi Fudd, who averages 10 points per game. The 22-year-old sprained her knee during UConn’s 85-52 win over Louisville last Saturday, leaving a noticeable gap. Even with these challenges, all eyes were on Hannah Hidalgo, who delivered a dagger three-pointer with just 21 seconds left in the third quarter, sealing Notre Dame’s commanding lead. But it only fueled the fire for UConn and Bueckers’ fans.

Paige Bueckers faces heat

Fans expressed their frustrations with Paige Bueckers, despite her scoring 25 points. One user on X sarcastically wrote, “Bueckers has been too busy making TikTok videos.” While it might seem harsh, Bueckers’ 37 minutes on the court yielded just two assists, two blocks, and zero steals—a stat line fans weren’t thrilled about.

Another critique pointed out her lack of success from beyond the arc, saying, “She seemed afraid to create her own shot, always looking for assists either at the bucket or at the 3-point line.” 

Well, the #5 did go 0 of 5 from beyond the arc, while on the other hand, this game marked Hidalgo’s third performance with over 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists, tying her with Caitlin Clark and Sabrina Ionescu for the most such games in the past 25 years. One enthusiastic fan summed it up perfectly: “Hidalgo owns UConn. Don’t forget that!”

Hidalgo has been a consistent force for Notre Dame, averaging over 20 points per game as a freshman and 24 as a sophomore, with poise under pressure and an unmatched ability to drive the offense while rebounding effectively for a guard.

“I have always said that Hannah Hidalgo is a better talent than Paige but with less marketing” added another user.

Bueckers, a former National Player of the Year, has also been averaging over 20 points per game this season. Her mid-range game and court vision remain elite, but inconsistencies in her recent performances have raised eyebrows. As one user bluntly stated: “Bueckers had 3 turnovers, 2 assists, and 0% from three. Epic.”

This showdown highlighted a shift in momentum, with Hidalgo stealing the spotlight and Notre Dame proving they’re more than capable of competing with the top teams.