When the UConn Huskies marched to the paint, the outcome was probably obvious. But the main highlight was whatever Geno Auriemma had to say about Hannah Hidalgo.

A 38-0 streak and the 25^th Final 4 entry are what the Huskies earned by handing a 70-52 defeat to Notre Dame. But seeing Hidalgo’s play, Auriemma just had to give her the credit over his own top-seeded team.

“I just love watching her”, said Geno after mentioning Hidalgo as the best point Guard in the country. “And I asked her after the game if she was old enough to go pro. And she said, ‘No, I want one more shot of you guys.’”

Hidalgo’s mindset stood out more than her game did, though she racked up 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists. The Fighting Irish had an 85-47 deficit from UConn in their earlier encounter this season as well, but Hidalgo isn’t budging.

She has got that “Philadelphia East toughness” and intends to keep up her rivalry with the Huskies. While this has moved Auriemma, he had even further praise for this 21-year-old.

Geno Auriemma Compares Hidalgo With Lawrence Taylor

Hidalgo entered the tournament after averaging 25.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists this season. She’s now the second woman's player ever to record a triple-double in NCAA tournament history. And Auriemma had the perfect comparison.

“She’s just a unique player that comes along once in a lifetime, and she has the ability to disrupt and cause chaos like nobody I’ve ever seen”, he said in the pregame conference. “She’s like the Lawrence Taylor of basketball.”

The New York Giants’ star won the Defensive Rookie of the Year and DPOY in 1981, becoming the only player to do both in the same season. And Hidalgo “not only offensively can get wherever she wants” but also “probably causes more problems for your offense.”

And just like Taylor, she also racks up constant double digits, showing great consistency, which she wishes to keep up against the Huskies.

Do you think she’ll succeed next time? Comment it down.

Written by

Deblina Roy

Edited by

Souvik Roy