UConn Huskies Knock Off Notre Dame Fighting Irish To Advance To Final Four

When you talk about the bluest of blue bloods in women’s college basketball, the conversation starts and stops in Storrs, Connecticut. Death, taxes, and Geno Auriemma cutting down the nets in late March—these are the only true guarantees in life.

The undefeated UConn Huskies officially punched their ticket to their 25th Final Four with a methodical, suffocating 70-52 victory over their bitter rivals, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. It wasn’t just a win; it was a masterclass in how to dismantle a highly talented opponent on the biggest stage.

A Matchup Steeped In Bad Blood and Big Stakes

To fully grasp the magnitude of what happened at Dickies Arena, you have to understand the history here. UConn and Notre Dame don’t just play basketball against each other; they go to war. Entering this matchup, the Irish actually held a 5-3 edge over the Huskies in March Madness encounters. Notre Dame had all the momentum, riding a massive wave of confidence and a 25-win season.

But betting against UConn when a Final Four spot is on the line is a fool’s errand. The Huskies extended their absurd winning streak to 54 consecutive games, proving once again that when the lights shine the absolute brightest, they don’t even blink.

Smothering Defense and a Power Surge

Let’s talk about Hannah Hidalgo for a second. The Notre Dame guard is an absolute force of nature. Auriemma himself compared her to Pro Football Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor, admitting she is arguably the best point guard in the country. Hidalgo put up a valiant fight, logging 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 steals. But UConn’s defensive scheme was an absolute nightmare for the rest of the Irish roster. They completely shut down the supporting cast, leaving Hidalgo on an island.

Sarah Strong was virtually unstoppable, pouring in 21 points and dominating the glass. It marked her 31st career 20-point game, tying her with UConn legend Breanna Stewart for the most by a player in their first two years in the program. Meanwhile, Quiñonez, the Big East Sixth Player of the Year, caught fire from beyond the arc. She dropped 20 points, sinking four huge three-pointers that completely ripped the heart out of the Notre Dame defense.

The Grumpy Coach Lets Loose

Perhaps the most shocking moment of the entire tournament didn’t happen during the 40 minutes of regulation. It happened after the buzzer sounded. Auriemma, a man notoriously known for his intense, demanding, and downright grumpy sideline demeanor, put on a cowboy hat and started dancing. Yes, you read that right. Geno was dancing.

“Seeing him excited and kind of goofy is really good for us,” Strong said with a laugh after the game. “He’s usually all serious or like anxious, grumpy. Just seeing him let loose and be his true self was really good.”

Auriemma confessed he has never been more proud of a group. He noted that, unlike his past undefeated juggernauts, this squad lacks the typical trash-talking swagger. “They’re just a bunch of really nice kids that play hard for each other,” he admitted. For veteran Guard Azzi Fudd, the rare praise struck a deep chord. “He doesn’t give out compliments too often… to hear him say that, it does mean a lot. We love this team so much.”

Leaving It All On the Floor

You have to feel for Notre Dame. Head Coach Niele Ivey watched her team battle through adversity all season, taking immense pride in getting the Irish back to the Elite Eight. “This is one of my most special groups I’ve ever been around, and I’m so grateful. I love them so much,” Ivey said, holding back tears. They fought valiantly, but the UConn machine was simply too powerful.

Next Stop: The Desert

The Huskies are now off to Phoenix for the Final Four, where they will look to secure their 13th national championship. They are the only undefeated team left in the bracket, and if history tells us anything, an undefeated UConn team in April usually ends with confetti falling on Auriemma’s shoulders. The rest of the college basketball world has officially been put on notice.