Notre Dame women's basketball star Hannah Hidalgo enters the 2026-27 season with expectations soaring after a standout freshman campaign. The guard's ability to score, facilitate, and defend has made her one of the most dynamic players in college basketball, raising the question of whether she can lead the Fighting Irish back to the Final Four for the first time since 2019.
Hidalgo averaged 22.6 points, 6.2 assists, and 4.6 steals per game as a freshman, earning consensus All-American honors and ACC Player of the Year. Her two-way impact has drawn comparisons to the program's all-time greats, and Notre Dame returns a supporting cast that includes fellow All-ACC performer Sonia Citron and a highly rated recruiting class.
The Fighting Irish fell in the Sweet 16 last season, but Hidalgo's development over the offseason — particularly her improved outside shooting and decision-making in transition — has analysts projecting Notre Dame as a national title contender. Head coach Niele Ivey has built the offense around Hidalgo's versatility, allowing her to operate both on and off the ball.
Notre Dame opens the season ranked in the top five nationally, with a non-conference schedule featuring several power-conference opponents that will test the team's Final Four credentials before ACC play begins.
