CAITLIN CLARK
I wanted to write a little something about Caitlin Clark a year ago.
I never got around to it.
My mistake.
The 6 ‘0” Iowa Hawkeye guard authored a record-setting performance Sunday, the likes of which has never been seen.
In an NCAA Tournament Elite Eight contest against #5 Louisville, Clark powered #2 Iowa to a convincing 97–83 win, ensuring a Hawkeye Women’s Final Four appearance for the first time since 1993–30 years ago.
Think coach C. Vivian Stringer.
Clark posted the first ever 40+ point triple-double in Men’s and Women’s College Basketball Tournament history.
There had never been a 30 point triple-double in NCAA Tourney annals, never mind 40+ points.
Her line: 41/10/12!!!
WHAAT???
Who does that?
This is very serious stuff.
“Are you kidding? It’s mind boggling,” remarked head coach Lisa Bluder during the post-game presser.
Equally spectacular was Clark’s deftness in securing the game ball and shuffling it off to her parents for safekeeping.
“I hope they got out of the arena in time, so the NCAA can’t chase ’em down. But I told ’em to run,” she said.
This other-worldly performance was Clark’s 5th triple-double this season and the 11th of the junior’s career, second best in women’s NCAA basketball history trailing Sabrina Ionescu’s 26 during her career at Oregon (2017-’20).
She is also the first player in Division I basketball annals–men’s or women’s–to record 900 points and 300 assists in a single season.
How about reaching double figures (scoring) in 88 consecutive games, the best active streak in Division I hoops?
Her ability to pile up assists as well, rounds out her game and allows Iowa to succeed.
In the Louisville game, Iowa was down 8–0 at the jump.
Then Clark went to work.
She fueled her team with 22 points and eight assists by halftime; the Hawkeyes led 48–43.
Math?
That translates into an individual 88% stake in her club’s offense during the first two quarters.
She was responsible for 72% of Iowa’s 97 points.
To Caitlin Clark though, it’s all about balance and teamwork.
“I mean, 12 assists, that’s my teammates making shots right there…McKenna…Gabbie…Mon…So a total team effort.
And I pride myself in doing a lot of different things for this team.”
Well, it all makes sense.
But Iowa’s next hurdle in the Women’s Final Four will be South Carolina Friday night.
The Gamecocks are 36–0 this year.
Dating back to last season, they are 42–0.
They are the defending national champions.
This will be their third consecutive Final Four appearance.
Under head coach Dawn Staley, they’ve won the whole thing twice (2017; 2022).
They could become the first repeat champion since UConn’s 4 consecutive runs (2013–2016).
Staley will be devising something or other to hold Clark in check.
Bet on it.
If she can.
If not???
[Editor’s Note: This piece was written by Mr. Kaplan in March 2023.]
