NCAA Tournament Players of the Week: Sweet 16 & Elite 8
As the NCAA Tournament narrowed to its final four, the level of play elevated across the board. Stars emerged, defenses tightened, and individual performances proved decisive in determining who would advance. This week’s honorees delivered elite production on both ends of the floor during the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 rounds.
Freshman of the Week
Sixth (Bench) Player of the Week
Blanca Quinonez – Connecticut
Blanca Quinonez continued her strong NCAA Tournament run with another pair of impactful performances, earning both Freshman of the Week and Sixth Player of the Week honors. In the Sweet 16 win over North Carolina, she scored 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting while adding four steals and a block in just 22 minutes.
She elevated her play even further in the Elite 8 against Notre Dame, leading Connecticut with 20 points while contributing eight rebounds and three assists. Quinonez knocked down four three-pointers in the win, showcasing her ability to stretch the floor and deliver in key moments.
Across the two games, she totaled 36 points, 11 rebounds, and five steals while shooting an efficient 14-of-23 from the field and 6-of-11 from three-point range. Averaging 26.0 minutes per game, Quinonez provided a major spark and consistent scoring punch off the bench during Connecticut’s run to the Final Four.
Defensive Player of the Week
Sarah Strong – Connecticut
Sarah Strong anchored Connecticut’s defense with two dominant performances that helped limit high-level opponents. In the Sweet 16 against North Carolina, she recorded five steals, two blocks, and nine defensive rebounds, disrupting offensive rhythm throughout the game.
She followed that with another elite defensive showing in the Elite 8 against Notre Dame, finishing with five steals, three blocks, and seven defensive rebounds while committing zero turnovers.
For the weekend, Strong totaled 10 steals, five blocks, and 16 defensive rebounds, consistently creating extra possessions and protecting the paint. Her activity, timing, and defensive versatility were critical components of Connecticut’s advancement.
Offensive Player of the Week
Player of the Week
Hannah Hidalgo – Notre Dame
Hannah Hidalgo delivered one of the most complete and dominant performances of the tournament, earning both Offensive Player of the Week and overall Player of the Week honors. In the Sweet 16 win over Vanderbilt, she filled the stat sheet with 31 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, and an incredible 10 steals, controlling the game on both ends of the floor.
She followed that with another strong showing in the Elite 8 against Connecticut, recording 22 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists while adding three steals.
Across both games, Hidalgo totaled 53 points, 22 rebounds, 10 assists, and 13 steals while averaging 39 minutes per game. Her ability to score, facilitate, rebound, and create turnovers made her one of the most impactful players of the Sweet 16 and Elite 8, even as her tournament run came to an end.
