Iowa guard Caitlin Clark celebrates after the Hawkeyes defeated defending national champion LSU in an NCAA Tournament regional final on Monday night in Albany, N.Y. Clark hit nine 3-pointers and finished with 41 points and 12 assists in the Hawkeyes’ 94-87 win. Another heavyweight showdown, a good game between proper, worthy rivals. Wonderful theater ending with the Hawkeyes’ 94-87 victory in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament.
Folks with longer memories made out Monday’s Iowa-LSU game to be like we were getting a rematch of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird’s 1979 classic championship. And folks rooting for the WNBA hope these matchups between Clark’s Hawkeyes and Angel Reese’s Tigers will bring similar magic to their league – anyone have Indiana Fever fever? That’s the WNBA team with the No.
“It’s about being present, being where your feet are,” Clark said after the game, ball cap pulled low. “Don’t worry about being in the Final Four, be in this moment, be in the Elite Eight, enjoy that and soak that in.”College’s all-time leading scorer – she has 3,871 points now and counting – made more history.
LSU coach Kim Mulkey, at least, will be glad not to experience an Iowa-LSU Part 3 with Clark atop the marquee: “Sure am glad you leavin’,” the coach with 40-some years of experience told Clark before leaving the court. “Girl, you’re something else. Never seen anything like it.” And I do. Thanks, y’all, for and making the game so appealing, giving us hoop to watch and debate and discuss and gossip about.