Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes may have won the Big Ten title for the third straight year, but they have their eyes set on the bigger prize ahead.
The NCAA all-time leading scorer said as much on Sunday following their conference championship win, highlighting that they will be ready as the NCAA Tournament rolls around.
Caitlin Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes Take Serves as Warning for Rivals
The Hawkeyes are not taking their Big Ten title for granted, despite the fact that they are already used to it. Nonetheless, they don’t want their fans to think that they are satisfied with conference titles alone.
Clark said as much, emphasizing that they know very well that they need to perform at their best as March Madness starts. She acknowledged that winning in the NCAA Tournament is really difficult, especially since each team only gets one chance and there is no room for mistakes.
In a message that should serve as a warning for their rivals, though, the 22-year-old sharpshooter is brimming with confidence as she shared her belief in the Hawkeyes’ ability to win games when it matters most.
“It never gets old cutting any net. I feel like we’re pretty good at that now. Hopefully we get to do it a few more times here coming up in late March,” Clark said after beating Nebraska for the Big Ten trophy, via New York Post.
“I think our group knows well enough that the NCAA Tournament is the best postseason tournament in all of sports. If you don’t have it for one night, your season’s over in the blink of an eye. We’re really only guaranteed one more game as a team, so you’ve got to come in and prepare every single day like it’s your last. I know this team will do that.”
It’s certainly encouraging to see and hear Clark express her confidence on the team. The Hawkeyes will really need that as they look to get the job done this time around.
In 2023, they made it to the Finals but lost to LSU. As they enter the NCAA Tournament with a vengeance, a lot of eyes will be on them.
Caitlin Clark Doesn’t Care About Seeding of Iowa Hawkeyes
Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes finish as the no. 1 seed and now enter the tournament with homecourt advantage.
However, Clark really couldn’t care less about the seeding, sharing that what matters to her more are the matchups. Regardless of who they are pitted against, though, Clark promised that the Hawkeyes will be ready.
“Honestly, whether they give us the 1-seed or give us the 2-seed, I don’t think it really matters a ton. You’re more kind of concerned on the draw you get. I feel like that’s almost more important. But it’s whatever the committee decides. You have no say in that. You get what you get, and you’d better be ready to come out and fight every single night,” Clark furthered.
“We just want to keep having fun with each other and enjoying these moments. We know how long and how hard it is to get to the Final Four, but how much fun it is at the same time. So I think having that experience under our belt is going to certainly help us too.”
It will be interesting to see how the Hawkeyes perform this year and if they can live up to expectations. This is Clark’s last year before she jumps onto the WNBA, and many are on the lookout if she’ll be able to propel Iowa to the promised land before she turns pro.
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