Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo has compared Vanderbilt guard Mikayla Blakes to Caitlin Clark in terms of her scoring ability. Hidalgo’s comments came before their Fort Worth Regional semifinal game. Blakes averages 27 points per game and has received SEC Player of the Year honours.
Hidalgo’s High Praise for Blakes
Hidalgo referenced Caitlin Clark when discussing Blakes’ effectiveness as a scorer. Hidalgo said that Blakes’ ability to put the ball in the hoop is like “Caitlin-type of level”. She noted Blakes can score at all three levels.
“The way she’s able to put the ball in the hoop, it’s like Caitlin-type of level,” Hidalgo said. “She can score on all three levels, whether that’s getting all the way to the basket, her midrange, or her three. Of course, that’s always tough to guard.”
Hidalgo herself is a strong scorer, ranking No. 3 in the nation with 25.2 points per game. She also leads the nation in steals and won ACC Player and Defensive Player of the Year.
Familiar Foes Meet in College
Both Blakes and Hidalgo downplayed the individual matchup. “It’s not about me versus Mikayla,” Hidalgo said. “It’s about Notre Dame versus Vanderbilt. It’s really just the way that we’re going to win the game tomorrow is by playing together like we’ve been doing the past couple of months.”
Blakes stated that playing against a tough defender like Hidalgo doesn’t provide extra motivation. She also said she will not change her game. “Hannah is a great player in her own right,” Vanderbilt coach Shea Ralph said.
Past High School Clash
Hidalgo and Blakes have a history, having played together on Team USA at the FIBA AmeriCup last year. They also competed against each other in high school in New Jersey. Hidalgo recalled that her team won that high school game, describing it as a show between two dynamic guards.
Blakes’ Strategy Against Hidalgo’s Steals
Blakes addressed Hidalgo’s prowess in steals. She suggested using ball fakes and not being afraid to dribble in front of her. Blakes acknowledged Hidalgo’s skill in reading passing lanes.
- Blakes averages 27 points per game.
- Hidalgo averages 25.2 points per game.
- Hidalgo leads the nation in steals.
Blakes said, “One thing about people, when they steal the ball a lot, you can’t be afraid to dribble in front of them, and we’re just going to have to use ball fakes as well,”
Hidalgo already owns the program record for career steals, becoming the first player in program history to pass 400.