Getty Image / Andy Lyons
In a year of women’s college basketball dominated by stories about Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, there are plenty of other breakout stars in the women’s college game. One of them is Notre Dame freshman guard Hannah Hidalgo.
Hidalgo came in to the Irish’s Sweet 16 matchup with Oregon State averaging 22.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.6 assists on the year, elite numbers for anyone, let alone a true freshman. But, her most memorable moment of the season came in a way absolutely nobody expected it to.
Hidalgo has played with a nose ring all year with no issues. But, the referees in this Sweet 16 matchup took issue with it, and made her take it out!
Unusual moment in the Oregon State – Notre Dame game, where Holly Rowe delivered a sideline report on Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo being told to take her nose ring out mid-game. pic.twitter.com/cL171NRJlC
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 29, 2024
Hidalgo had to sit and miss crucial game time while they worked feverishly to remove the nose ring. And, after she returned, she went ice cold.
Hannah Hidalgo has not finished a game this season in single digits.
She's scored 6 points today on 2-of-15 shooting (and no made FGs since the refs made her take her nose ring out).
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) March 29, 2024
She ended up 4-17 from the field and had just 10 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds as Notre Dame lost, 70-65.
It’s hard to definitively say that removing the nose ring is why she shot the ball so poorly. But, it’s not hard to imagine that it got her out of her rhythm, and she couldn’t find her stroke again.
Having a nose ring in while playing is against the rules, but why wasn’t it enforced all season? That’s what Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey wants to know.
Niele Ivey on Hannah Hidalgo: "She's had a nose ring the entire season. I wish we'd known that earlier."
Said she was told jewelry was a point of emphasis for officials in the Sweet 16.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) March 29, 2024
Ivey, and by extension, Hannah Hidalgo, has a very valid point here. Why was it just an issue now and not all season?
Nevertheless, it’s hard to imagine seeing Hannah Hidalgo back on the court next season with a nose ring in.