Caitlin Clark, a guard from Iowa, recalled the text messages Jan Jensen sent her during her recruitment process.
Clark stated, “Coach J kept repeating, ‘We want you to reduce nets with us,'” Clark added.
The Hawkeyes achieved this feat two years after Clark retired.
Clark scored 38 points and had 11 assists. With a win of 104 to 80 over No. 6 Michigan on Sunday
This is the Hawkeyes’ first conference title since 2008, when they won the title (20-7, 14-4 Big Ten), which was shared with Ohio State.
Clark stated, “It’s so much fun.” Clark said, “It’s just so much fun. I don’t think that we could have scripted it any better.”
Coach Lisa Bluder stated, “I’m almost beyond my words.” “Very lucky, very blessed.”
After a loss to Maryland, the Hawkeyes were unlikely to win any part of the championship. They ended the season with four wins consecutively, including victories against Indiana and Michigan in week 4.
Clark stated, “This is the time you want to play your greatest basketball.” Clark said, “And we are playing our best basketball.”
Bluder stated, “These guys believed,”
The Hawkeyes shot a record 16 3-pointers this season. This was the highest number of points the Hawkeyes scored against the Wolverines this season, who averaged 59.8 points per match.
Kim Barnes Arico, Michigan coach, said that Iowa played an “incredible” game. It’s difficult to match that 16-point performance. It was a very special night for them.
Clark, who was the nation’s top scorer with 27.1 points per games, scored 46 points against the Wolverines, in a 98 to 90 loss on February 6. Clark was equally effective in this game. She made 11 of 18 field goals, 8 of 11 in 3-pointers, and she was a great scorer.
She enjoyed especially the 3-pointers that she didn’t make. After receiving assists from Gabbie Marshall in the fourth quarter, Kate Martin and Kate Martin, she ran down the court with her arms raised to celebrate.
Clark stated, “I have played in many basketball games in my lifetime, but this was the most enjoyable.”
Michigan (22-5 and 13-4) had a chance at winning the title. The Wolverines led by 11 points at the end of the first quarter, and were leading by that number when the Hawkeyes took control.
Iowa closed the first half with a 19-5 run and took a 53-39 lead at halftime. Clark made two 3-pointers within 23 seconds, while the Wolverines missed ten of their 12 last shots.
Barnes Arico stated that he believes some of their shot selections led to them transitioning. “They were able get some quick-break points, which really ignited them. Their confidence started to rise a bit.
With two minutes left in the third quarter, Michigan was within 67 points of Michigan. Clark scored another pair of 3-pointers within 16 seconds, but the Hawkeyes maintained their double-digit lead for the remainder of the game.
Iowa’s Monika Czinano scored 19 points. Marshall scored 14.
Naz Hillmon scored 18 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in Michigan’s win. Laila Phelia had 16 points. Emily Kiser had 12. Maddie Nolan had 11.
MISSING A SHARE
The Wolverines were a half-game behind the leaders after their February 3 match at Illinois was delayed by travel problems. The game was not rescheduled.
Barnes Arico stated, “Yeah it’s pretty crummy. huh?”
She mentioned how the Wolverines won two games over Maryland, beat Ohio State twice and won against Iowa.
Barnes Arico stated that “the reality is that we didn’t get the chance to play the game.” “We did everything that we had to do over the course of the year. Our schedule was the most difficult in the league, and we’re not coBig Ten champs.
SELLOUT CROWD
With a attendance of 15,056, the game was a sold-out. This was the first Iowa home game to sell out since 1988, when Iowa beat Ohio State 75-64.
Bluder stated, “We had hoped for a sold-out arena when we arrived here.” “Today was incredible.”
Clark stated, “I don’t think people realize that a sellout such as that doesn’t always occur in women’s basketball.”
HILLMON’S MILESTONE
Hillmon’s double-double made him the first Michigan player to score 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds over a single career.
Hillmon is 2,079 point tall and 1,008 rebounds.
BIG PICTURE
The No. 2 seed in the Big Ten tournament will be the Hawkeyes. The No. 2 seed in the Big Ten tournament will be the Hawkeyes. They have won four consecutive games and five out of six of their previous six.
Michigan tied Maryland for third in the conference. It will be the third seed at the tournament. Michigan has lost three of its five previous games.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
After their win over No. 10 Indiana and the Wolverines were defeated this week.
Michigan split its games this week and could fall out of the top 10.
UP NEXT
Michigan: Friday, Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis
Iowa: Friday, Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis
