Chicago basketball report: Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo shines, WNBA players weigh strike options
The Chicago Bulls had a rough February, going winless after a tumultuous trade deadline. Meanwhile, the Sky could soon receive a timeline for WNBA free agency as the players' union and the league approach a March 10 deadline for a new collective bargaining agreement.
Notre Dame's women's basketball team, led by star guard Hannah Hidalgo, is gaining momentum. After a rough start, they won their final five regular season games to secure a No. 5 seed and a first-round bye in the ACC Tournament. Hidalgo, named the ACC Player of the Week for a league-record seventh time, averaged 28.5 points, six steals, nine rebounds, and seven assists in two games against Syracuse and No. 10 Louisville.
Hidalgo's performance is remarkable, breaking her own single-season steals record with 162. Coach Niele Ivey praises her consistency and leadership, describing her as the team's 'engine' and a 'phenomenal and consistent' player.
The Irish will play in Duluth, Georgia, against the winner of the Stanford-Miami game on Thursday.
In other basketball news, the WNBA players are considering a strike as the March 10 deadline for a new CBA approaches. The league and the players' union have exchanged counteroffers, with players expressing encouragement about recent concessions. However, the key issue of revenue sharing remains unresolved, with the league offering a smaller share of net revenue, while players advocate for a larger share of gross revenue.
The union leadership is signaling that a strike might be necessary to avoid a truncated season. WNBPA vice president Kelsey Plum emphasizes the players' desire to play and their commitment to negotiation, but also highlights the potential negative impact of a strike.
The Chicago Sky, with only four players under contract for the 2026 season, face a challenge in filling their roster. General manager Jeff Pagliocca has a tight 18-day window to sign free agents and improve their position as a destination for top talent.
Mid-major tournament action begins with the Missouri Valley Conference, where Belmont is the top seed. Three Illinois teams are in the top five, and Valparaiso, coached by Roger Powell Jr., is the No. 7 seed, hoping to make a run in St. Louis.
The Bulls had a historic February, losing all 11 games, the worst month in franchise history. However, they started March on a positive note with a blowout win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
The week ahead includes Bulls games against the Thunder, Suns, and Kings, as well as exciting college basketball matchups, including the Big Ten Tournament and the ACC Tournament.
The Illinois and Notre Dame women's teams are focused on strengthening their NCAA Tournament resumes, while the Illinois men's team honors Kylan Boswell and Nick Martinelli on senior night.
As the season progresses, the focus shifts to the NBA and WNBA, with players and teams navigating contract negotiations and the potential impact of a strike on the WNBA season.
