How Can Notre Dame Women’s Basketball Bounce Back in 26-27 After UConn Loss?

The Notre Dame women’s basketball team has consistently been one of the scariest teams in college basketball. Year after year, they make big moves and dominate their competition. Many big names in the WNBA have made themselves known from their careers at Notre Dame. However, since their championship trophy in 2018, the Irish have come up short. As they start to prepare for next season, what needs to happen for them to be even more successful than before?

Notre Dame’s 2026 NCAA Tournament Run 

The Fighting Irish, led by Hannah Hidalgo, had a very successful go at the tournament this year. They dominated the first round against Fairfield, with a 79-60 win. From there, the Irish pulled off two upsets, including one against Ohio State and another against Vanderbilt, a sure frontrunner in the tournament. In the game against second-ranked Vanderbilt, Hidalgo recorded her third triple-double, with 31 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 steals. It was this performance that sealed the deal for Notre Dame with a 67-64 win over the Commodores. Their impressive season ended against a dominant UConn team in the Elite Eight, though their efforts definitely gave the Huskies a run for their money. 

Notable Moments from Notre Dame vs. UConn 

The matchup between Notre Dame and UConn in the Elite Eight was highly anticipated, because the Fighting Irish had pulled off two upsets in a row, there was no reason why they couldn’t pull off another one against Sarah Strong and the Huskies. The game started with a back-and-forth battle between the teams. However, from the halftime whistle, the Huskies took over. They managed to figure out Hidalgo’s fiery defense, which was the key to winning the game. Despite the loss, Hidalgo maintained a positive attitude towards UConn, congratulating Geno Auriemma and expressing her excitement about having another go at them next year. 

Changes Coming for the Fighting Irish 

The 2026-27 season will most likely be the last for Hidalgo, the standout Notre Dame guard. Although the loss of one player doesn’t seem detrimental, the Fighting Irish will need lots of talent to pick up where Hidalgo left off. She seems to do everything- score in double and triple digits, make incredible passes, and have seemingly impossible numbers of steals. Notre Dame has five confirmed freshmen arriving next season, including Jacy Abii, Amari Byles, Jenica Lewis, Bella Ragone, and Isabella Sangha. Lewis is coming in ranked 24th on the SportsCenter NEXT 100 and will be a great addition to the team with her outside shooting abilities. The Fighting Irish seem to have everything they need for a dominant 2026-27 season. They might even get revenge on UConn in the process.