FORT WORTH, Texas — Hannah Hidalgo, a guard for Notre Dame, is certainly aware that Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes holds the national scoring lead. She has her own insights into the considerable challenge Blakes poses defensively.
Prior to their face-off on Friday in the Fort Worth 1 Regional semifinal, Hidalgo invoked Caitlin Clark’s name when questioned about the factors making Blakes such an effective offensive player.
“Her ability to put the ball in the hoop is reminiscent of Caitlin’s caliber,” Hidalgo stated on Thursday during a press briefing held to preview the game. “She demonstrates scoring prowess across all three tiers – whether driving directly to the basket, from mid-range, or from beyond the arc. Naturally, such versatility presents a formidable defensive challenge.”
Blakes typically registers 27 points per contest and achieved several 50-point performances this season, culminating in her receiving SEC Player of the Year accolades. Hidalgo, an exceptional scorer herself, holds the No. 3 spot nationally (25.2 PPG), and serves as an all-around force for Notre Dame, leading the country in steals and securing both ACC Player and Defensive Player of the Year awards.
“She’s truly skilled, and I believe one characteristic we both share is our relentless pursuit of the ball,” Blakes commented. “We invariably find a way to access it.”
Their individual star power largely fuels this impending contest, and a significant degree of familiarity exists between the two athletes.
They previously competed together on Team USA last year at the FIBA AmeriCup and had faced each other during their high school careers. Hidalgo recalled their high school encounter in New Jersey — which Hidalgo’s team won — describing it as, “A spectacle. Two dynamic guards. I had to defend her throughout the entire game. I think just her capability to perform as she does, you know, the unique contributions she brings to her team are quite distinct.”
This will mark their initial collegiate encounter. Both attempted to downplay the personal rivalry, despite facing repeated inquiries about the other player.
“It’s not about me versus Mikayla,” Hidalgo clarified. “It’s about Notre Dame versus Vanderbilt. The true path to winning tomorrow’s game lies in us playing collaboratively, just as we have been for the past few months.”
Blakes mentioned that competing against a defender as formidable as Hidalgo does not offer any additional incentive. Nor does it imply she will alter any facet of her playing style.
“Hannah is an outstanding player in her own right,” Vanderbilt coach Shea Ralph remarked. “What I can affirm about Mikayla is that I never have to be concerned about her deviating from her established self. I never have, and I presume I never will. She was destined for these pivotal moments. She is prepared and ready, and the identity of our opponent is largely irrelevant.”
Blakes reiterated this viewpoint when questioned about the primary strategy against a player with 189 steals, which constitutes a Notre Dame single-season record. Hidalgo already possesses the program record for career steals, having become the first player in program history to surpass 400.
“A key point about individuals who frequently steal the ball is that you cannot be hesitant to dribble directly in front of them, and we will also need to utilize ball fakes,” Blakes advised. “She is highly adept at interpreting passing lanes, but we cannot solely focus on where we are directing the ball, because she will likely intercept it.”
The respective roles for Vanderbilt and Notre Dame are inverted in this game. The sixth-seeded Irish, making their fifth consecutive Sweet 16 appearance, required an upset victory over Ohio State to reach this stage; the No. 2 seed Vanderbilt is participating in its first Sweet 16 since 2009. Blakes’ capacity to aid Ralph in transforming the program is a substantial factor; Hidalgo’s leadership in carrying her team after a sluggish season start is a major reason the Irish are once again on this prominent stage.
However, unlike in preceding years, Notre Dame enters their game as the underdog. Hidalgo expressed that this season has instilled in her a deeper appreciation for progressing this far.
“I feel like in the preceding couple of years, I might have undervalued being in this position because I believed we should have been in the Sweet 16 and we should have been victorious,” Hidalgo reflected. “So now, I think this year feels considerably different.”
It also feels distinct for Vanderbilt, and that is a sentiment players take significant pride in as well.
“Vanderbilt is currently ascending, and many teams can no longer view us and think, ‘Okay, we’ll easily dominate them by 20 points.’ Now, opponents must show us respect,” Blakes concluded.