The deeper Caitlin Clark and the No. 1 Iowa Hawkeyes go in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, the tougher the opponent gets. This coming Saturday, the Hawkeyes are about to face their biggest test yet in the Big Dance, as they will be facing the No. 5 Colorado Buffaloes, who are not ones to back away from a challenge.
Iowa Hawkeyes Get Warning From Colorado Buffaloes Star
Colorado senior guard Tameiya Sadler perhaps best personified the no-feat mentality of the Buffs ahead of the hyped matchup against Clark and the Hawkeyes.
Via Sean Keeler of The Denver Post:
“For sure. I feel like, going into the Kansas State game, we were like, ‘We want to come in and ruin everyone’s day,’” said Sadler, who did her part with 10 points, two assists, two rebounds and a steal in 19 minutes off the bench in a 13-point win over the fourth-seeded (and site host) ‘Cats this past Sunday.
“This is what we want to do. And so we like that underdog mentality because that’s when we play our best brand of basketball. So we were excited to be that villain.”
For all the bold talk from Sadler, slowing down the Hawkeyes will be easier said than done. Iowa has demolished their firs two opponents in the tournament. First, the Hawkeyes knocked out the No. 6 Holy Cross Crusaders in the opening round, 91-65. Then, they defeated the No. 8 West Virginia Mountaineers in the second round, 64-54. Clark scored 27 and 32 points against the Crusaders and the Mountaineers, respectively.
Should Caitlin Clark and the Hawkeyes Worry About Colorado?
The Buffaloes are not too shabby either. Colorado entered the tournament with a 22-9 record and walloped the Drake Bulldogs in the first round, 86-72, before scoring a mild upset win over the No. 4 Kansas State Wildcats in the second round, 63-50. This is a team that knows how to win and find ways to overcome tough opponents.
More must-reads: