Not too long ago, Olivia Miles and Hannah Hidalgo formed one of the most exciting and formidable backcourt pairs in women’s college basketball.
The duo, both from Notre Dame, even shared the cover of Slam Magazine in January. Their story echoed their deep bond and aspirations to lead Notre Dame to a national championship. Earlier this year, they enjoyed impressive winning streaks and held the top spot in the AP Top 25 polls. As the regular season neared its end, it seemed like Notre Dame was a strong contender for the Final Four.
But then everything took a downturn. It all started with a gripping double-overtime loss in North Carolina, coinciding with ESPN’s college game day. After that defeat, the Irish fell in three of their next five games, including their semifinal appearance in the ACC tournament. During post-game press conferences, head coach Niele Ivey and some players seemed concerned, hinting that something was off within what many regarded as one of the nation’s most talented teams.
Despite some struggles, Notre Dame managed to secure convincing wins in their first two NCAA Tournament games before losing to TCU in the Sweet 16. The Irish were ahead entering the final quarter in Birmingham, Alabama, but TCU stormed back, outscoring them 20-10 in those last minutes. It was a tough match, and in those closing moments, Miles, Hidalgo, and Sonia Citron struggled to capitalize on their chances, only managing 13 combined shots.
Just two days after the loss, news surfaced that Miles had entered the transfer portal. A week later, she confirmed her commitment to TCU. Both players attempted to quell rumors about any rift between them.
“We’re totally fine, everything,” Miles shared in a heartfelt Instagram Live session. “There is no beef, literally no beef.”
When asked about Miles’ departure, Hidalgo remarked, “I don’t know what’s best for her. She’s the only one who knows what’s best for her. So no matter what she’s doing, I hope for her best,” as reported by Sportkida.
Understanding this context is crucial to grasp why many female college basketball fans are captivated by a short video clip filmed over the weekend.
Notre Dame hosted a preseason WNBA game featuring the Dallas Wings and the Las Vegas Aces on Friday. The match celebrated the prowess of former Irish players Jewel Lloyd and Jackie Young, now playing for the Aces. However, the focal point shifted from Lloyd scoring 28 points to an intriguing interaction between Miles and Hidalgo.
In a recap of the footage, it’s hard to catch every word. Still, some elements are unmistakably clear. The interaction began with Hidalgo approaching Miles, and the two former teammates exchanged friendly gestures. As Hidalgo engaged further, Miles stepped back slightly, smiling as she appeared to explain something. Hidalgo moved closer, emphasizing her points. Eventually, security had to step in, advising them to keep moving.
Given that this exchange occurred in a public space and the notable intrigue it generated—prompting people to pull out their phones to record—it raises questions about the authenticity of their claims of having no issues between them.
The reality is, fans might never fully understand what led to Notre Dame’s season unraveling, why Miles chose to transfer, or the true nature of her relationship with Hidalgo. Such insights likely won’t surface in polished interviews or articles, as the intricacies often remain unguarded. A glimpse might be offered in the upcoming episodes of ESPN’s full court reporting airing on May 11th, though the team will likely have significant control over the final content.
Until either Miles or Hidalgo speaks openly about their connection and that memorable interaction, fans are left to speculate.
