Welcome back to Scoutside, a series where I'll be breaking down the games of players across women's college basketball.

From offensive skill sets and defensive impact to the little things that separate good players from great ones, we'll take a closer look at what makes these hoopers special. Some editions will spotlight draft-eligible seniors, but this series isn't limited to the next generation of WNBA prospects.

Tyler gave his thoughts on the Unrivaled roster reveal and where players ended up…

Notre Dame | Point Guard | 5-foot-7 | Senior

The Notre Dame point guard is a potential top pick in the 2027 WNBA Draft. Hidalgo, arguably one of the best two-way players in college basketball, made a statement in her very first collegiate game against South Carolina and hasn't let up since.

She's the active Division I leader in career points and steals, a three-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year, a two-time ACC Player of the Year, and the first guard since 2020 to earn the Naismith National Defensive Player of the Year recognition. She's also just the second guard overall to receive that distinction. That's only a glimpse into the resume of a quadruple-double threat whose game has so many layers.

Three-Level Scoring Ability

Hidalgo is a three-level scorer who uses her quickness, speed, and change of pace to keep defenders off balance. Her explosive first step allows her to get past defenders and attack the basket, where she can finish through traffic or draw help defense and dish the ball to an open teammate. She's also comfortable creating space for herself, using her ability to stop on a dime to knock down the mid-range pull-up.

Efficient Shot-Maker

Hidalgo is a high-volume shooter who has maintained solid efficiency throughout her collegiate career. She averaged 18.6 field goal attempts per game through her junior season. Across her first three seasons, she's shooting 46.3% from the field, 33.5% from three, and 82.0% from the free-throw line.

Disruptive Defensive Instincts

Hidalgo's defensive instincts are among the best in college basketball. Her skill set has drawn comparisons to NFL cornerbacks and safeties, and for good reason. Much like a defensive back reading a quarterback, Hidalgo has an ability to read the eyes and movements of opposing ball handlers, anticipate where the ball is going, and jump passing lanes before the pass is even made. She's constantly looking for opportunities to disrupt the offense, whether that's getting a hand on the ball, deflecting a pass, or creating a turnover.

It's not just about being quick with her hands. Her anticipation, court awareness, and ability to recognize offensive patterns allow her to put herself in position to make plays before the opposing team can execute.

Turning Defense Into Offense

Through her first three seasons, Hidalgo averaged 4.7 steals per game, consistently turning her defensive pressure into immediate scoring opportunities. Her quick hands and anticipation allow her to create turnovers and get out in transition before the defense has a chance to recover. She's also relentless when applying pressure, capable of guarding all 94 feet of the court and making life difficult for an opposing team's primary ball handler for the entire game.

Creating Opportunities for Others

Although Hidalgo is a high-volume scorer, her awareness allows her to capitalize on the defensive attention she receives. When opposing teams commit additional defenders to slowing her down, she can recognize the help and create opportunities for her teammates. Her ability to rebound, averaging at least five rebounds per game throughout her career, also gives her the opportunity to initiate the offense and create easy fast-break opportunities.

The Competitive Edge

Hidalgo is a natural leader and an ultimate competitor. Her passion and intensity are evident every time she steps on the court, and she brings the same level of energy and expectation regardless of the opponent. She's become the focal point of Notre Dame's offense and defense, earning praise from numerous Fighting Irish alumni since stepping foot on campus.

Three-Point Consistency

At 5-foot-7, some may initially point to Hidalgo's height as a potential limitation at the next level. However, she's consistently proven that her size hasn't prevented her from competing and producing among the best players in college basketball. As she prepares for the next level, developing greater consistency from beyond the arc should be a point of emphasis. Becoming a more reliable perimeter threat will make her even more difficult to defend and give her another weapon against longer, more athletic defenders.

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Tennessee | Guard | 6-foot-0 | Senior

The senior guard has had quite the collegiate journey, now at her third stop with Tennessee after beginning her career at Rutgers before transferring to Maryland. Smikle has been a key offensive contributor at each stop, showcasing her scoring ability, length, and aggressive, attack-first mentality. With experience across three major programs, she's established herself as a proven scorer who can create opportunities for herself and put pressure on opposing defenses.

Attacking the Basket

Smikle uses her quick first step, length, and size to power her way into the paint. She's a physical downhill guard who isn't afraid to initiate contact and can finish through defenders around the rim. Her aggressive approach also gets her to the free-throw line consistently, where she's averaged approximately 5.7 attempts per game and converted 80.5% across four seasons.

Shot Creation and Deep Range

Smikle is a capable spot-up shooter, but she's also comfortable creating her own shot off the dribble. Her quick release allows her to get attempts off without needing much separation, making her a threat both with and without the ball. Across four seasons, she's shot 42.1% from the field and 34.9% from beyond the arc.

Using Length to Disrupt

At 6-foot-0, Smikle has the physical tools to be disruptive on the perimeter. She uses her length to contest shots, pressure ball handlers, and get into passing lanes, creating opportunities to turn defense into transition offense. Her 1.7 steals per game across four seasons reflect her willingness to be active defensively and use her size to impact possessions beyond scoring.

Competing on the Glass

Her rebounding numbers might not jump off the page, but Smikle plays with a relentless motor and isn't afraid to attack the glass. Her size and physicality allow her to compete for rebounds, particularly against smaller guards. She's averaged 4.5 rebounds per game across four seasons, giving her another way to contribute outside of her scoring.

Experience Across the Board

Smikle has established herself as a respected player throughout her collegiate career, earning All-Big Ten honors at both Rutgers and Maryland. Now at Tennessee, she'll look to add to that résumé in her final season. Her experience across multiple programs has given her a strong understanding of the game, and she can serve as a reliable scoring option when her team needs a basket, particularly in high-pressure moments.

Resilience Through Adversity

Despite missing significant time twice in her career due to injuries, Smikle has continued to produce at a high level. Her ability to bounce back and adjust to different systems across three programs speaks to her resilience and adaptability. Each stop has presented a new environment, but she's continued to find ways to make an offensive impact.

Scoring Efficiency and Handle Development

Smikle has been a high-volume scorer throughout her collegiate career, averaging 42.1% from the field across four seasons. However, the transition to the next level could mean fewer shot attempts and a different offensive role. She may not have the same freedom or volume she's had in college, making shot efficiency even more important. Learning to maximize her scoring opportunities, make quicker decisions, and convert at a higher rate will be key to her professional transition.

Her ball-handling is functional enough to create quick scoring opportunities, but tightening up her handle and developing a more consistent set of go-to moves off the dribble would make her tougher to defend. Against longer and more versatile defenders at the professional level, she'll need to create separation, change direction, and get to her spots without relying as heavily on her physical advantages.

California | Guard | 5-foot-10 | Senior

Lulu Twidale is a lethal, high-volume senior shooting guard who has developed from a key role player into one of the nation's premier shooters. During her junior season, she became Cal's single-season three-point record holder with 101 triples made. She started her senior campaign on a high note, recording a 26-point performance while knocking down six three-pointers.

Elite Shooting Range

Twidale is a high-volume shooter whose role has expanded over the years, developing into a go-to option for the Bears. Her range extends beyond the collegiate three-point line, and her quick release makes it difficult for defenders to contest her shot. Through three seasons at Cal, she's shooting 33.7% from beyond the arc. She shoots with confidence and isn't easily deterred by missed attempts, allowing her to remain aggressive and keep defenses honest.

Offensive Awareness and Free-Throw Efficiency

As Twidale has become more of a threat from beyond the arc, opposing defenses have increasingly looked to close out aggressively and limit her opportunities. She's showcased her awareness and poise by recognizing when defenders overcommit, using their momentum against them to attack the basket and draw contact. She's also been effective at the free-throw line, converting 86.7% of her attempts.

Developing Rebounding Guard

Twidale has continued to add layers to her game beyond being a perimeter scoring threat, particularly when it comes to contributing on the glass. She averaged 3.3 rebounds per game and 3.9 rebounds per game in her sophomore and junior seasons, respectively. It's another area where she can continue to make an impact, especially as she takes on greater responsibilities defensively.

Defensive Versatility

Head Coach Charmin Smith touched on Twidale's defensive development following Monday's season opener, noting that she'll be challenged and, at times, expected to guard the opposing team's top player. At 5-foot-10, Twidale has the size to take on different assignments, but improving her ability to stay in front of quicker guards and recover defensively will be important as her responsibilities continue to grow.

Secondary Playmaker

Beyond her shooting abilities, Twidale has developed into a secondary facilitator for Cal. She averaged 2.6 assists per game during her sophomore season before increasing that number to 3.7 assists per game the following year. She uses the attention her shooting commands to create opportunities for teammates, recognizing when defenses collapse and finding the open player.

Professional Poise

Twidale's basketball background in Australia, including experience playing professionally, has translated into her game at the collegiate level. She understands the pace of the game, floor spacing, and timing, allowing her to play with a level of composure that complements her scoring ability. Her experience has helped her adjust to different roles while continuing to develop her overall game.

On-Ball Defense and Offensive Countermoves

Opposing teams have reason to target Twidale defensively. While she's a major scoring threat when she gets going, her lateral footwork and ability to recover against quicker opponents remain areas for development. Improving her on-ball defense would make her a more complete player and strengthen her case as a two-way threat.

Offensively, having a reliable first move is important, but having a counter when that option is taken away is just as valuable. When Twidale's primary driving lane is cut off by a help defender, she can sometimes struggle to find another way to create a scoring opportunity. Developing more countermoves off the dribble, along with a consistent mid-range game, would give her additional ways to attack defenses and make her less predictable. Those added dimensions could take her offensive game to another level as she prepares for the next step in her career.

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