While most of the country faced ice storms and frigid temperatures this past week, Iowa guard Caitlin Clark, remained unaffected and red-hot. During the Hawkeye’s February 11 matchup against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, the freshman from West Des Moines, Iowa, set Pinnacle Arena ablaze in Lincoln, Nebraska, for 39 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.
For the second year in a row, the biggest question coming into the season for the Iowa women’s basketball team was, “How do we replace the former Big Ten Player of the Year?” The simple answer is – with another one. Clark picked up right where Iowa left off with similar on-court dominance. With Megan Gustafson and Kathleen Doyle posting three consecutive Player of the Year seasons, it was hard to imagine the Hawkeyes replicating that exact stardom. They did just that.
The Iowa native established her talents as soon as she stepped foot on the court for the Hawkeyes. In Clark’s first ever collegiate appearance, she scored an impressive 27 points, leading her new team to a win over in-state foe Northern Iowa. From there on, it became a trend. Through Iowa’s first 17 games, Clark has averaged 26.6 points per game, the second-most in Division 1, while shooting at a respectable 45.6% from the field.
Despite her consistent efforts, it’s been performances like her 39-point game against Nebraska that have garnered the attention of opposing head coaches and quickly brought her into the national spotlight.
“She was very efficient tonight, and I thought 39 points is (a) pretty special effort from any player much less a freshman,” said Nebraska head coach Amy Williams. “But I think the most impressive thing was just her efficiency, and it only took her 18 shot to get there. She just found a way to really impact the game.”
Not only was her dominating 39-point performance stellar, but it set a record at Nebraska’s home arena for most points scored in a game for either a men’s or women’s basketball game. Of the 264 collegiate games held in Pinnacle Arena, no other player managed to replicate Clark’s sheer offensive superiority.
Clark’s etching of her name in the record books doesn’t stop there. Clark is currently tied for the most Big Ten Freshman Player of the Week awards with 10, and as she continues to ascend, there’s reason to believe she’ll add another record to her resume.
In a record-setting season, Clark attributes most of her success to her new-found ability to slow down the game and distribute it to her teammates early and often.
“Me and coach Bluder talked after some of those loses, and I was kind of forcing some things and forcing the action,” said Clark. “I play my best basketball when I’m more patient and more calm….the more patient I am and the more I’m involving my teammates, it not only makes myself better but makes us better as a whole.”
Aside from Clarks dominance, the Hawkeye’s season has been extremely underwhelming. Starting off 8-1, the Hawkeyes have hit a bump in the road, losing five of their last eight. Now sitting at 11-6, they are searching for anything and everything to dig them out of this hole that they created for themselves.
Clark and the struggling Hawkeyes (11-6, 7-6) will look to put their new, patient strategy to use in their upcoming matchup against the Penn State Nittany Lions (8-9, 5-8) on February 18. This matchup will involve a lot of scoring, as both teams rank inside the top 50 for points per game.
Before losing their last two, Penn State went on a tear, winning four games in a row in dominating fashion. The Lady Lions will look to build on this recent surge while limiting the Hawkeyes. It’s no secret the Hawkeyes can score, but so can Penn State. If Penn State is able to maintain Iowa’s explosive fire power, they just should be able to find themselves in a great position to win the game.
Similarly, if the Hawkeyes can defend and limit the Lady Lions during this Thursday afternoon bout, they should be able to win with ease. For a team like Iowa, scoring is the easy part. They know they will be able to put the ball in the basket enough times to win; it’s just a matter of being able to limit the other team down the stretch and keeping their foot on the gas.
“I know we’re going to have a battle on our hands,” said Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder. “What’s impressed me about Penn State is that they just keep fighting….they just keep clawing and fighting, there is no quit in this young team for sure, and they’re very well coached, it’s going to be a really good battle.”
While it may not seem like it, the Iowa Hawkeyes understand how important this game against Penn State is. It’s an opportunity to improve on their one-game win streak and gain momentum as they look ahead towards the postseason.
For Caitlin Clark, this is yet again another opportunity for her to prove why she should be the Big Ten Player of the Year and extend Iowa’s streak to four years in a row. Beyond that, it’s a chance for her to prove why she deserves heightened recognition for National Player of the Year. As the weather remains cold, Caitlin Clark will look to advance on an inferno start to her collegiate career.