Chicago Basketball Report: Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo Steams Towards the Tournament, WNBA Players Wary of Potential Strike
The Chicago Bulls' February slump continued, going winless after a tumultuous trade deadline. The Sky, meanwhile, await 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 the stellar Hannah Hidalgo, has been on a roll. After some rough patches, they secured a No. 5 seed and a first-round bye in the ACC Tournament by winning their final five regular-season games.
Hidalgo, the ACC Player of the Week for a league-record seventh time this season, averaged 28.5 points, six steals, nine rebounds, and seven assists in two games against Syracuse and No. 10 Louisville. Her single-season steals record against Louisville was 162.
Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey praised Hidalgo's consistency and leadership, describing her as the team's engine and a contagious force.
As the March 10 deadline for a new CBA approaches, WNBA players are considering a strike. The league and the players' union have exchanged counteroffers, with players expressing encouragement over recent concessions, but revenue sharing remains a key issue.
The debate centers on whether to take a larger share of a smaller pie (net revenue) or a smaller share of a larger pot (gross revenue). While players have pushed for a standard of receiving their cut from gross revenue, the league's latest offer included 70% of net revenue.
Despite the tension, union leadership suggests acquiescence to avoid a truncated season. WNBPA vice president Kelsey Plum emphasizes the desire to play, urging continued negotiation to avoid a strike, which would be detrimental to both parties.
The Chicago Sky, with only four players under contract for 2026, face a challenge in filling more than half the roster in an 18-day window. The team aims to improve its position as a free-agent destination.
Mid-major tournament action begins with the Missouri Valley Conference, where Belmont is the top seed, but three Illinois teams are in the top five. Valparaiso, coached by Roger Powell Jr., is the No. 7 seed, hoping to make a run in St. Louis.
The Bulls' February was the worst month in franchise history, losing all 11 games. However, they started March with a blowout win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
The week ahead includes Bulls games against the Thunder, Suns, and Kings, as well as notable college basketball matches, including Oregon vs. Illinois and Notre Dame vs. Stanford/Miami.
The Illinois and Northwestern women's teams will honor their seniors, Kylan Boswell and Nick Martinelli, respectively, as they prepare for the conference tournament and the NCAA Tournament.
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