Notre Dame played its most important game of the season with the entire campaign on the line on Friday. And for a crucial four minutes, the Fighting Irish were missing their best player over a unique delay.
NCAA officials reportedly asked Hannah Hidalgo to remove a diamond nose stud in the second quarter during Friday’s Sweet 16 game against No. 3 Oregon State. The delay wound up costing Hidalgo four minutes of game time as she was substituted out of the game at the start of the second quarter and did not return until the 5:51 mark.
While Hidalgo was out, Oregon State had an 8-7 scoring advantage and led 25-22 by the time Hidalgo returned to the contest. The Beavers and Fighting Irish jostled back-and-forth. When the dust settled, though, it was Oregon State who walked out victorious, 70-65.
Hidalgo had worn the nose ring all season without having been asked to take it out, which was why it was surprising to many that the All-American guard was asked to have it removed during the game on Friday.
Why did she have to have it removed? Here’s what you need to know.
Notre Dame star Hannah Hidalgo had to miss game action as she was forced to remove her nose ring. pic.twitter.com/yYE7gdILd2
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) March 29, 2024
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Why Hannah Hidalgo removed nose ring
Hidalgo might have had the nose ring all season, but that doesn’t mean it’s been legal to wear it all year.
NCAA rules prohibit any type of jewelry to be worn during the game, among a list of articles that are prohibited under Rule 1, Section 25, Article 7:
Head decorations, head wear, helmets, and jewelry are illegal. Religious head wear is permitted provided it is securely fashioned to the head and is subject to the approval of the referee per Rule 2-5.1.
Further complicating the situation is NCAA Rule 2, Section 5, Article 1, which mandates that officials “inspect and approve all players’ uniforms.” The assumption would then be the nose ring would have been spotted before the game or that at some other point during the season, she would have been asked to remove it.
Unusual moment in the Oregon State – Notre Dame game, where Holly Rowe delivered a sideline report on Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo being told to take her nose ring out mid-game. pic.twitter.com/cL171NRJlC
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 29, 2024
Head coach Niele Ivey explained that the Fighting Irish were warned that jewelry would be a point of emphasis ahead of Friday’s game. Nevertheless, Ivey didn’t seem too pleased with the referee’s assessment of Hidalgo’s “infraction.”
“She’s had a nose ring the entire season,” Ivey said. “I wish we’d known that earlier.”
Hidalgo had perhaps the worst game of her glittering campaign, finishing with just 10 points on 4-of-17 shooting on the night.
Hannah Hidalgo stats
The true freshman has enjoyed a sensational campaign for the Fighting Irish, earning an All-American First-Team nod, winning ACC Tournament MVP, ACC Rookie of the Year, ACC Defensive Player of the Year and being named a Naismith Defensive Player of the Year semifinalist.
Here’s a look at her numbers from her freshman season coming into the game:
- 22.9 points per game.
- 6.2 rebounds per game
- 5.6 assists per game
- 4.6 steals per game
- 45.1 field-goal percentage
- 34.7 3-point percentage
- 77.4 free-throw percentage
