The No. 10 Louisville women’s basketball team faces off against No. 22 Notre Dame this evening, seeking to break a four-game losing streak to the Fighting Irish. Central to Notre Dame’s success has been guard Hannah Hidalgo, who has consistently tormented the Cardinals in their previous encounters. Against Louisville, Hidalgo has averaged an impressive 26.2 points, along with six rebounds and 4.4 assists. This season alone, she is putting up 25.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 5.9 steals per game.
Louisville, currently boasting a 16-3 record and sitting atop the Atlantic Coast Conference with a 6-0 mark, will look to put the brakes on Hidalgo’s scoring surge. Recently, she showcased her impressive skill set by netting 31 points, grabbing eight rebounds, and recording seven steals and six assists in a commanding 73-50 victory over No. 23 North Carolina.
“Hidalgo plays with such passion and such a high motor,” said Louisville coach Jeff Walz. “She’s the one in our league that can go off for 30, can get 40. But they’ve really done a nice job of putting some pieces around her as well that you’ve got to respect.”
Both teams feature potent offensive capabilities. Notre Dame and Louisville top the ACC in scoring, averaging 84.8 and 82.9 points per game, respectively. While Hidalgo leads her team, Notre Dame boasts six players scoring at least nine points per game. Louisville counters with a similarly balanced attack, featuring five players averaging nine or more points, with Taj Roberts leading the pack at 12.3 points per game.
On the defensive side, Notre Dame ranks 10th in the ACC, allowing 67.3 points per game during conference play, while Louisville shines as the league’s best defense, limiting opponents to a mere 58.7 points per game.
As game time approaches, all eyes will be on Louisville’s starting lineup, which includes Taj Roberts, Mackenly Randolph, Anaya Hardy, Elif Istanbulluoglu, and Laura Ziegler. Anaya Hardy is a gametime decision, adding a layer of intrigue to the matchup.
Tonight’s game will tip off at 6 p.m. at the Purcell Pavilion in South Bend, Indiana. Fans can catch the action on the ACC Network, with coverage also available via the Cardinal Sports Network and online streaming options through ESPN and ESPN+.
This highly anticipated ACC clash not only has significant implications for postseason positioning but also showcases some of the brightest talent in women’s college basketball, promising an exciting evening for fans and players alike.