Hannah Hidalgo forced to leave Sweet 16 game vs Oregon State to remove nose ring
Notre Dame star freshman Hannah Hidalgo was sidelined for an extended period in the first half of a Sweet 16 matchup against Oregon State on Friday for a peculiar reason: A diamond stud nose piercing needed to be taken out.
Hidalgo, who apparently normally plays with tape over the piece of jewelry, was spotted on the sideline with multiple trainers around her. They were apparently using forceps to try and pry free the piece of jewelry after officials asked for it to be removed.
And following almost half a quarter on the bench, Hidalgo managed to get the piece of jewelry out and get back on the court. At the time, the Irish and Beavers were in a one-score game.
“There is a no jewelry rule, she had just a little tiny, diamond stud in her nose. But she’s been informed that she has to take it out. So they’re working to get that out right now,” ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe shared.
Hidalgo was sent to the bench to get the jewelry dealt with between the first and second quarters, but the second started before trainers and medical staff could get the piercing dislodged. Hidalgo didn’t check back in until more than four minutes had come off the game clock in the second quarter.
And while Hidalgo was ultimately not any worse for the wear, it did appear she was in at least mild-to-moderate discomfort and pain at the impromptu piercing removal.
And it seemed an oddity for the officials to drop the hammer on the rule now, of all times.
Notre Dame entered as a narrow favorite to win
Odds for Oregon State vs. Notre Dame
Notre Dame is a narrow 2.5-point favorite over Oregon State on Friday according to DraftKings Sportsbook. With the Fighting Irish having -142 odds on the moneyline and the Beavers sitting at just +120 odds if they win the game outright and advance to the Elite Eight.
The point total for the game also sits at an over-under of 133.5. With Notre Dame notably leading the ACC in scoring, field goal percentage, and point differential, averaging 79 points per game. Meanwhile the Beavers boast a strong defense that’s held opponents to just 59.3 points per game this season and their last two opponents to exactly 51 points.
Friday’s matchup will feature some big-time star power, headlined by Oregon State forward Raegan Beers and Hidalgo for Notre Dame.
Beers earned All-Pac-12 honors for a second straight season following her breakout freshman year where she was named Pac-12 Freshman and Sixth Player of the Year. Becoming the first player in conference history to earn both awards in the same season. This year she’s led the Beavers in points (17.5), rebounds (10.2), steals (1.3), and blocks per game (1.2), and will look to return Oregon State back to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2016.
Similar to Beers, Hidalgo had a standout freshman season in her first year with the Fighting Irish. Taking home honors like AP All-America First Team, ACC Defensive Player of the Year, ACC Rookie of the Year, and ACC Tournament MVP. Ranking fifth in the country with 22.9 points per game and leading the nation with 4.6 steals per game with 157 steals and counting this season.