Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder initially planned to call a timeout to acknowledge the significance of the moment. However, upon learning of her star point guard’s perspective, she reconsidered.
Caitlin Clark, known for her competitive spirit, expressed her preference not to interrupt the game. “We can’t be wasting timeouts on that, come on now,” she remarked to reporters on Wednesday.
For the Hawkeyes, their upcoming clash with Michigan presents a chance to recover from a recent setback against Nebraska and keep their eyes on bigger objectives. With just five regular season games remaining, there’s a tightly contested race for the Big Ten title, with seeding implications for the NCAA tournament hanging in the balance.
For the 15,000-plus fans at Carver-Hawkeye Arena and the millions more tuning in on TV, Thursday night offers a historic opportunity. Clark is poised to break the NCAA Division I women’s scoring record, currently held by Kelsey Plum since 2017, needing only eight points to achieve this milestone.
Despite the impending record, Clark remains focused on the team’s goals and is excited for the moment. “I’m not anxious about it really at all,” she mentioned. “It’s going to be a special night.”
Clark’s ascent up the scoring charts drew attention weeks ago when she surpassed Kelsey Mitchell’s Big Ten record. Expectations were high for her to break the record during the game against Nebraska, but she was held scoreless in the fourth quarter.
Coach Bluder emphasized the importance of not being overly awed by Clark’s talents, urging the team to maintain focus.
Dubbed the “Clark Effect,” Caitlin’s rise to prominence has made her one of the most recognized collegiate players, transcending gender boundaries in basketball. With the NFL in its post-Super Bowl phase and the NBA quiet before the All-Star break, all eyes will be on Clark and the Hawkeyes.
Unlike Plum’s record-breaking performance of 57 points on senior night, Clark’s task of scoring eight points seems almost routine, given her impressive scoring average of 32.1 points per game. Coach Bluder anticipates an exciting night and looks forward to seeing Clark surpass the record with ease.
As Clark approaches the record, she acknowledges the significance but remains focused on team success. The school has experienced a surge in ticket demand, reflecting the anticipation surrounding the record-breaking moment.
While the record was always a possibility, Clark’s focus remains on contributing to the team’s victories. Despite the excitement surrounding the record, the loss to Nebraska serves as a reminder of the team’s ultimate goal.
As they prepare for the game against Michigan, Clark emphasizes the importance of a strong performance in practice and looks forward to rebounding in front of their supportive fans.
