Notre Dame sensation Hannah Hidalgo mesmerised fans with a set of infectious performances throughout the NCAA Tournament. However, her dream of a championship was crushed at the hands of Geno Auriemma and his elite UConn roster. This defeat did not crush Hidalgo's spirits; it ignited a fire inside her to enact revenge on her rivals, and now the transfer portal may have just acquired a star partner for the relentless guard. Look away, Iowa State fans -- it's Audi Crooks.
Without Hannah Hidalgo on their roster, it is hard to predict what the Fighting Irish's season would have looked like. On the court, Hidalgo truly is an anomaly. Standing at around five feet and six inches, the 21-year-old is considered a small guard, but somehow always feels like the biggest presence on any court she steps onto.
Throughout the 2025-26 NCAA season, Hidalgo averaged 26 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 5.6 steals per game. As jaw-dropping as these statistics are, it is a clear indication that Notre Dame has to bolster its squad if it wishes to progress past the dreaded Elite Eight stage. No team can sustain greatness through one player. Step forward, Audi Crooks.
Audi Crooks is the perfect partner for Hannah Hidalgo
Not that she should need an introduction, but in the rare case that readers have not heard of Audi Crooks, let me fill them in. The Iowa State center is a dominant scoring force in college basketball. Crooks recorded 25.8 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, while shooting 64.9% from the floor. She also scored a career-high 47 points in the Cyclones' 106-95 victory over the Indiana Hoosiers on November 30. Now, the Iowa State star has entered the transfer portal.
In her senior year, this is a decision that Crooks can not take lightly, as it could shape her entire career. With this being the case, the 21-year-old must select a programme that is willing to hide her defensive frailties, while not reducing her role in the offensive game plan. Given Hannah Hidalgo's defensive impact and boundless energy, how can Crooks not consider a stint with Notre Dame?
Finding fits of this nature is nigh on impossible. Hidalgo has made it obvious that her main goal next year is to return and take down UConn. She cannot do this alone. Audi Crooks will provide UConn with a question they have never had to answer when facing off with Notre Dame: a second dominant offensive option. Defenders will have to make a decision on which poison will do less damage -- an impossible square to circle.
As it stands, there is no evidence to suggest that this will be Audi Crooks' landing spot. However, when assessing the options that make sense for the Iowa State star, Notre Dame undoubtedly makes the most sense. Not only is this promising for Crooks' future, but Hannah Hidalgo will gain a partner who can help take down her arch nemesis, Geno Auriemma.