The Madness rolls on. The first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament certainly bring their share of high stakes and heartbreak, but the Sweet 16 is when the drama truly intensifies. The remaining teams are proven — each with the talent capable of going the distance.  

After a 102-61 crushing victory over 15-seed High Point (27-6, 13-3 BSC) in the Round of 64 and a dominant 75-57 performance over No. 7-seed Illinois (27-6, 13-3 Big Ten) in the Round of 32, No. 2-seed Vanderbilt turns its attention to No. 6-seed Notre Dame (24-10, 12-6 ACC). This matchup marks the Black and Gold’s first Sweet 16 appearance since 2009. Head coach Shea Ralph hopes to build on the momentum Vanderbilt accumulated in the first two rounds, but this time, she must prepare her team to play in an environment other than Memorial Gymnasium.  

Notre Dame pulled off an impressive 83-73 defeat of No. 3 Ohio State in the Round of 32, upsetting the Buckeyes on their home floor. Unlike Vanderbilt, this season marks Notre Dame’s fifth-straight Sweet 16 appearance. Head coach Niele Ivey is no stranger to the big stage, but will have to pull off a second consecutive upset, this time over the red-hot Commodores, to secure a spot in the Elite Eight.  

While Ivey and her squad’s experience gives them an edge over a coach who has yet to advance this far in the tournament, the question remains whether it will be enough to overcome a team loaded with star power and chemistry.  

Superstar showdown 

This matchup features a battle between two of Women’s College Basketball’s premier talents: Mikayla Blakes and Hannah Hidalgo.  

Blakes is No. 1 nationally in points per game (27.0) and was awarded this season’s SEC Player of the Year. She is not just a superstar; She was the best player on every court she played on this season. The sophomore scored 30 points in just 29 minutes against High Point, knocking down 11 of her 16 shot attempts. Against Illinois, Blakes was just one assist away from a triple-double, finishing with 30 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals. While she struggled early on against the Fighting Illini, when the Commodore lead was narrowed to single digits late in the game, she immediately responded with a triple, a tough drive to the rim or a flashy pass to an open teammate.  

Blakes’ ability to score at all three levels, play elite defense and serve as a playmaker is unmatched. The Somerset, New Jersey, native is the essence of a program-defining player, both on and off the court. Her leadership and maturity elevate the play of everyone around her and put Vanderbilt in contention with the best of the best. 

Hidalgo is right behind Blakes on the stat sheet, ranked No. 3 in points per game this season (25.2). The guard is also the do-it-all type of leader. In Notre Dame’s Round of 64 matchup against Fairfield, she finished with 23 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 8 steals. Against Ohio State, Hidalgo scored 26 points, hauled in 13 boards and recorded 8 more steals.  

Back-to-back March Madness games with 8 steals is mind-blowing and a testament to her hustle and physicality on both ends of the floor, setting a Notre Dame record for steals in an NCAA tournament game in the process. Additionally, securing 13 rebounds at 5’6 is remarkable and further demonstrates how valuable Hidalgo is to her team beyond just scoring.  

Blakes and Hidalgo are no strangers to playing on the same court. The two guards helped lead Team USA to a gold medal in the summer of 2025 at the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup. Blakes was named tournament MVP, scoring 27 points in the championship, while Hidalgo was right behind her, scoring 16.  

This time, they will be on opposite sides, and the winner of this superstar showdown could go a long way in deciding the game, but every dominant guard needs a sharpshooter.  

Dialed from deep 

Each team features its own knock-down 3-point shooter, spacing the floor for Blakes and Hidalgo. For Vanderbilt, that is Justine Pissott. The senior ranks No. 2 in SEC 3-point percentage (42.6) and leads Vanderbilt in triples made this season (95). Pissott draws defenders to the outside, opening up the lane for Blakes and point guard Aubrey Galvan. She is one of college basketball’s best perimeter shooters, making it difficult for teams to double-team Blakes.  

Pissott rose to the occasion in the Round of 32, finding her outside shot early on. She scored 18 points against Illinois, drilling 7 of her 12 attempts. The 6’4 guard buried 5 of her 10 shots from beyond the arc, and her ability to stretch the floor adds another layer to Ralph’s offense. When Pissott is on the court, opposing teams must tightly contest her, as she is one of the most effective and efficient shooters in the game.  

Similarly, Iyana Moore provides spacing for the Fighting Irish. The senior played her first three seasons at Vanderbilt and will be reunited with her former team in the Sweet 16. Moore leads Notre Dame in 3-pointers made (80) and shoots an effective 39.8% from distance. The Milwaukee, Wisconsin, native scored 13 points against Ohio State, draining three of her seven 3-point attempts.  

Pissott and Moore were teammates for two seasons, but in this tournament, they will look to gain the edge over one another. The veteran sharpshooters are clear x-factors in this matchup, as their ability to heat up from distance elevates the play of everyone around them. 

If they are on from deep, Pissott and Moore will make life much easier for Blakes and Hidalgo in one-on-one situations. Their ability to cash in triples will build or hinder momentum, shaping the contest from the opening tip. 

Boards in question 

Both teams have accomplished plenty this season, but that success has come in spite of — not because of — their work on the glass.  

Vanderbilt ranks No. 12 out of 14 teams in the SEC in rebounds per game (36.5), while Notre Dame is No. 16 out of 18 programs in the ACC (34.5). However, Notre Dame won the rebounding battle against Ohio State, hauling in 36 boards compared to the Buckeyes’ 34, and Vanderbilt tied Illinois with 45 rebounds in the Round of 32. 

Ralph and Ivey each start four guards and one forward, clearly lacking rim protection in their starting fives. Sacha Washington plays down low for the ‘Dores, while Malayla Cowles takes that role for the Fighting Irish. Both players are seniors and leaders in their respective locker rooms.  

Vanderbilt’s forward had a phenomenal performance crashing the glass in the Round of 64, tying the all-time Commodore record for rebounds in an NCAA Tournament game with 17. However, she struggled against Illinois, totaling just 18 minutes, 5 rebounds and 4 points in her final game at Memorial Gymnasium. Similarly, Cowles grabbed just 6 boards and shot one-for-seven from the field in Notre Dame’s Round of 32 matchup. 

It is critical for each team to control the glass, especially early on. That begins with Washington and Cowles winning their respective matchup down low, particularly because the eight other players on the court are guards. Rebounds create extra possessions and second-chance opportunities, both of which are key indicators of tournament success. Physicality in the frontcourt will strongly impact the outcome of the game, and gaining the advantage underneath begins with Washington and Cowles.  

Vanderbilt travels to Fort Worth, Texas, for its Sweet 16 matchup against Notre Dame Friday, March 27, with tipoff set for 1:30 p.m. CDT. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.