Legend leads Iowa into Big Ten final
MINNEAPOLIS — A generation of kids grew up wanting to be like Michael, Magic or Bird. Today, there’s no need to choose. In Saturday’s Big Ten Tournament semifinal, the greatest scorer and shooter in the history of women’s basketball also showcased the greatest vision in the nation. For much of Iowa’s 95-68 win over Michigan, Caitlin Clark served as lead choreographer, seemingly directing every move of the nine players surrounding her.
Passing lanes opened at will. Driving lanes were cleared with force. A 3-pointer taken steps inside half-court splashed with little suspense.
Coming off one of her worst showings of the season, Clark treated Target Center’s sellout crowd to a brilliant 28-point, 15-assist performance.
“This offense is perfectly suited for my game,” said Clark, who set two marks as the tournament’s all-time leading scorer and the first woman with multiple 1,000-point seasons. “Coach Bluder lets me be me.”
The No. 2 Hawkeyes (28-4) will try to claim their third straight conference tournament crown — and also, likely, a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament — in Sunday’s championship against No. 5 Nebraska (22-10). The Midwestern rivals split a pair of regular-season meetings, with Clark averaging 34.5 points, eight assists, nine rebounds and three steals.
Clark — who also had two steals and four rebounds — was aggressive from the tip, driving to the rim on her first four touches. Michigan (20-13) hit its first six 3-pointers to take an early 25-17 lead, but Clark — one of six women in Division I history with more than 1,000 career assists — quickly closed the gap with a series of jaw-dropping dimes that offered teammates uncontested looks and layups.
“She can score the basketball better than anybody, but she can pass the ball better than anybody and that’s what makes her so special,” said Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico. “You try to keep the ball out of her hands because she’s such a great decision maker. She is so tough to guard. I don’t know that anyone’s figured it out.”
After missing her first 11 3-pointers in the quarterfinal, Clark hit her first shot from deep. She then closed the half by drilling a shot one dribble past mid-court, giving the Hawkeyes a 51-42 lead at the break. Clark accounted for 19 points and 11 assists.
“Caitlin’s gonna do whatever she has to do,” Iowa coach Lisa Bluder said. “If she’s open, she’s gonna shoot it. If she draws two defenders, she’s gonna dish it. She’s exceptional at it.
“It is mind-boggling when you think about it. Everybody’s defensive plan is to stop her and nobody’s really figured out how to do it. She’s faced every kind of defense … She really knows how to pick them apart. It’s pretty amazing what she’s been able to accomplish.”